You can close a Bank of America account online, by phone, or in person — the method depends on your account type and whether you have an outstanding balance

Bank of America lets you close checking and savings accounts through their website, by calling customer service, or by visiting a branch in person. The fastest route is usually online if you have no outstanding balance and no pending transactions. If you have a negative balance, owe fees, or hold a credit product tied to the account, you'll need to resolve those first — the bank won't close the account until the balance is zero.

The process itself takes minutes once you've met the preconditions, but the actual closure can take several business days to complete. During that time, the account remains open and can still receive deposits or process pending checks, so you'll want to redirect automatic payments and direct deposits before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • Bring your account balance to zero before closing — Bank of America will not close an account with a negative balance or outstanding fees.
  • Stop automatic payments and direct deposits at least a few days before you close, since transactions can still post after you request closure.
  • Online closure works only for checking and savings accounts with no complications; accounts with credit products or overdraft protection may require a phone call or branch visit.
  • The closure takes three to five business days after you submit the request, and you'll receive written confirmation by mail.
  • Keep your account open long enough to may support all pending checks have cleared and no additional charges appear.

Close your account online through the Bank of America website

Log into your Bank of America online banking account and navigate to the account settings or account management section. Look for an option labeled "Close Account" or "Account Services." Bank of America's website layout changes periodically, but this option typically appears under account details or settings for the specific account you want to close.

You'll be asked to confirm the account balance is zero and to state a reason for closing. The bank may offer retention options at this point — you can decline these. After you confirm, you'll receive an on-screen message confirming the closure request has been submitted. Bank of America will send written confirmation to the address on file within five to seven business days.

This method works only if your account has no outstanding balance, no pending transactions, and no linked credit products like overdraft protection or a linked credit card. If any of these conditions explore, you'll need to call or visit a branch instead.

Close your account by phone with Bank of America customer service

Call Bank of America's customer service line at 1-800-432-1000 (for checking and savings accounts). Have your account number and a form of identification ready. Tell the representative you want to close the account, and they'll walk you through the process, including confirming your balance is zero and asking why you're closing.

The representative can close accounts with complications that the online method won't handle — for example, accounts with overdraft protection, linked credit products, or accounts that have had recent fraud disputes. They can also address any outstanding fees or negative balances by discussing payment options before closure.

Closure by phone typically takes the same three to five business days as the online method. You'll still receive written confirmation in the mail. If you're calling from outside the United States, Bank of America charges international calling rates unless you use a VoIP service.

Close your account in person at a Bank of America branch

Visit any Bank of America branch with a government-issued photo ID and your account number or debit card. Tell a teller you want to close the account. They'll verify your identity, confirm the balance is zero, and process the closure on the spot. This method is useful if you have questions about fees, pending transactions, or if you want to withdraw remaining funds in cash rather than waiting for a check.

In-person closure is also the best option if you have a complicated account situation — for instance, if you're closing a joint account and both account holders need to be present, or if the account has a negative balance that needs to be resolved before closure. The teller can often waive certain fees or discuss payment arrangements in real time.

The actual closure still takes three to five business days to finalize in the system, even though you've completed the request in the branch. You'll receive written confirmation by mail.

What to do before you close your account

Stop all automatic bill payments and recurring transfers at least three to five business days before you request closure. Log into the accounts where you set up these payments (your utility company, insurance provider, subscription services, etc.) and update them with a new payment method or account number. Don't rely on the bank to stop these for you — if a payment tries to post after closure, it can create complications.

Redirect your direct deposit to a new account if you have one. Contact your employer's payroll department or the organization sending the deposit and provide your new account details. This typically takes one to two pay cycles to take effect, so plan ahead if you're closing the account soon.

Review your account for pending checks or transfers. If you've written checks that haven't cleared yet, wait for them to post before closing. Similarly, if you've initiated transfers to other accounts, confirm they've completed. Bank of America may hold the account open longer if there are uncleared items, which delays the final closure.

Confirm your account balance is exactly zero. If there's a positive balance, withdraw it or transfer it to another account. If there's a negative balance or outstanding fees, contact Bank of America to discuss payment — the account won't close until this is resolved.

What happens after you close your account

You'll receive a written confirmation letter from Bank of America within five to seven business days. Keep this letter for your records — it serves as proof that the account is closed and can be useful if a payment or check tries to post after closure.

Any debit card linked to the account will stop working when ready, though the physical card itself won't be automatically destroyed. You can cut it up or dispose of it yourself. If you have checks printed for the account, they will be rejected if anyone tries to cash them after closure, so you don't need to do anything with them.

If you still owe Bank of America money after closure — for example, an overdraft fee that posted after you requested closure — the bank will contact you about payment. They may also report the debt to a collection agency if it goes unpaid, so address any outstanding balance before you close.

Reasons to keep your Bank of America account open longer

If you've had the account for many years, closing it can affect your credit score slightly because it reduces the average age of your credit accounts. This effect is usually small and temporary, but if you're planning to explore for credit soon, you might wait a few months after closing before you do.

If you have pending checks or transfers, keep the account open until they clear. A check can take up to 30 days to clear in some cases, especially if it's from a government agency or an out-of-state source. Closing the account before these clear can cause them to bounce.

If you receive tax refunds, benefits, or other government payments to this account, confirm they've been redirected before you close. Some government agencies take weeks to process address changes, and closing the account before the redirect is complete can cause payments to be rejected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close a Bank of America account if it has a negative balance?

No. You must bring the balance to zero before Bank of America will close the account. If there's a negative balance, contact the bank to discuss payment options. You can pay over the phone, in person, or by transferring funds from another account.

What if I have a Bank of America credit card linked to my checking account?

You'll need to call customer service or visit a branch to close the account. The online closure tool won't work if there are linked credit products. The credit card itself will not be affected by closing the checking account — you can keep it open or close it separately.

How long does it take for a Bank of America account to fully close?

The closure request takes effect when ready, but the account remains in the system for three to five business days. During this time, pending transactions can still post. You'll receive written confirmation once the closure is final.

Will closing my Bank of America account hurt my credit?

Closing a checking or savings account does not directly affect your credit score, since these accounts don't appear on your credit report. However, if you've had the account for many years, closing it slightly reduces the average age of your accounts, which can have a small temporary effect on credit scores that factor in account age.

What should I do with my debit card after I close the account?

The card will stop working when ready after closure. You can cut it up, shred it, or dispose of it in your regular trash. Bank of America does not automatically destroy the card, so you don't need to return it to a branch.