You can close most Bank of America accounts through their website or mobile app without calling or visiting a branch
Bank of America lets you close checking and savings accounts online through their website or mobile app. The process takes a few minutes if your account has no outstanding checks, pending transactions, or a balance owed. If your account does have a balance, you'll transfer it out first. If you have a credit card or loan with Bank of America, those close through a different process — this guide covers deposit accounts only.
Before you start, make sure you've moved any money you want to keep to another bank, paid any fees or overdrafts, and stopped any automatic payments or direct deposits that hit this account. Bank of America won't let you close an account with an outstanding balance or pending transactions.
Key Takeaways
- You can close a Bank of America checking or savings account through their website or app, but only if the account balance is zero and there are no pending transactions.
- You must transfer your remaining balance to another account before closing, either to another Bank of America account or to a different bank.
- Stop all automatic payments, direct deposits, and recurring transfers linked to the account you're closing before you start the closure process.
- If you have outstanding checks or pending deposits, wait for them to clear before attempting to close the account.
- Credit cards and loans close through a separate process and cannot be closed through the same online steps as deposit accounts.
Steps to close your account through the Bank of America website
Log into your Bank of America account on their website using your username and password. Go to the settings or account management section — this is usually found in the menu at the top right of the page or under a gear icon. Look for an option labeled "Close Account" or "Account Services." Bank of America's website layout changes periodically, so if you can't find it when ready, use the search function and type "close account."
Select the account you want to close from the list of your accounts. Bank of America will show you the current balance and ask you to confirm that the balance is zero. If there is still money in the account, you cannot proceed — you'll need to transfer the funds out first. Once you confirm the balance is zero, Bank of America will ask you to state a reason for closing (this is optional) and then confirm your choice one more time before the account closes.
After you confirm, the account closes when ready. Bank of America will send you a confirmation email and a final statement showing the closure. Keep this statement for your records.
Closing your account through the Bank of America mobile app
Open the Bank of America mobile app and sign in. Tap the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) at the bottom or top of the screen. Navigate to "Settings" or "Account Settings," then look for "Close Account" or "Manage Accounts."
Select the account you want to close. The app will display your current balance and ask you to confirm it is zero before you can proceed. If your balance is not zero, go back and transfer the remaining funds. Once you confirm the balance is zero and complete any additional confirmation steps the app requests, your account closes when ready.
What to do with your remaining balance before closing
If your account still has money in it, you must move that money before you can close the account. You have two main options: transfer the balance to another Bank of America account you own, or transfer it to an account at a different bank.
To transfer to another Bank of America account, log into your account, go to "Transfers," and move the money from the account you're closing to another account in your name. This usually happens within one business day. To transfer to a different bank, you can set up an external transfer through Bank of America's website (this may take three to five business days) or withdraw the money as a check or cash and deposit it elsewhere yourself.
Stopping automatic payments and direct deposits before you close
Before you close your account, you must stop any automatic bill payments, recurring transfers, or direct deposits connected to it. If you don't, payments may fail or bounce, and you could face overdraft fees or missed payments on bills.
Log into your Bank of America account and go to "Bill Pay" or "Transfers" to see what automatic payments are set up. Cancel each one individually. For direct deposits (like paychecks), contact your employer's payroll department and give them your new account number at Bank of America or at another bank. For automatic payments from other companies, log into those companies' websites and update your payment method or account number.
Wait at least one or two pay cycles to make sure all automatic payments have stopped and all direct deposits have moved to your new account before you close the old one. This prevents money from going to the wrong place.
What happens if you have outstanding checks or pending transactions
Bank of America will not let you close an account if there are checks you've written that haven't cleared yet or if there are pending deposits or transfers. You must wait for these to complete before closing.
If you've written checks that are still outstanding, contact the people or companies you wrote them to and ask them to deposit the checks quickly, or ask them to accept payment another way. If you're waiting on a deposit, wait for it to post to your account. Once all pending transactions have cleared and your balance is zero, you can proceed with closing the account.
Closing credit cards and loans is different from closing deposit accounts
If you have a Bank of America credit card or personal loan, you cannot close those through the same online process as a checking or savings account. Credit cards must be paid off completely, and then you can request closure through your credit card account settings or by calling the number on the back of your card. Loans typically require a phone call to Bank of America's loan department to discuss payoff and closure options.
If you're closing your deposit account but keeping a credit card or loan with Bank of America, make sure you update your payment method so your card or loan payments don't try to pull from the account you're closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my Bank of America account if I still owe money on it?
No. Bank of America will not let you close an account with an outstanding balance or fees owed. You must pay any overdraft fees or negative balance before you can proceed. If you're unsure whether you owe anything, check your account balance and recent statements before you try to close.
What if I forgot to stop a direct deposit before closing my account?
Contact your employer's payroll department right away and provide them with your new account number. Bank of America will reject deposits sent to a closed account, and your employer may charge you a fee for the failed deposit. The sooner you update your information, the sooner deposits will go to the correct account.
How long does it take for my Bank of America account to close after I request it online?
Your account closes when ready when you confirm the closure online. You'll receive a confirmation email and a final statement within a few days. However, it can take up to 10 business days for the account to fully disappear from your profile and for any pending transactions to clear completely.
Can I reopen a Bank of America account I just closed?
Bank of America generally allows you to reopen a closed account within a short window, usually 30 days, if you contact them. After that, you would need to open a new account instead. If you think you might need the account again soon, contact Bank of America before closing to ask about their specific reopening policy.
Do I need to destroy my debit card after closing my account?
Yes. Once your account is closed, your debit card will no longer work, but you should destroy it anyway by cutting it up or shredding it. This prevents anyone from trying to use it or from the card being misused if it's lost or stolen.