Bank of America lets you close most account types online, by phone, or in person, but the process and timing depend on your account balance and whether you have linked services
You can close a Bank of America checking or savings account through your online banking portal, by calling 1-800-432-1000, or by visiting a branch in person. The fastest route is usually online if your account balance is zero and you have no pending transactions. If you have a balance, you will need to withdraw or transfer the funds first. Closing takes effect when ready when you complete it, though any scheduled payments or direct deposits tied to that account will fail after closure.
The process differs slightly depending on whether you are closing a consumer account (checking, savings, money market) or a credit card. This guide covers deposit accounts. If you hold multiple accounts, you can close them one at a time or all at once.
Key Takeaways
- Your Bank of America account balance must be zero before you can close it, so withdraw or transfer remaining funds to another bank first.
- You can initiate closure online through your account settings, by phone at 1-800-432-1000, or by walking into any Bank of America branch.
- Closing takes effect when ready, but any automatic payments or direct deposits linked to the account will stop working, so update those with your new bank first.
- Bank of America will send you a confirmation letter in the mail within 7 to 10 business days after closure.
- If you have an outstanding balance or pending holds on the account, the bank may delay closure until those clear.
Closing your account online through your banking portal
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." Select the account you want to close from the list of your accounts. Bank of America will ask you to confirm that your account balance is zero and that you understand any pending transactions will not process.
Complete the closure request and you will receive an on-screen confirmation. The account closes when ready, though the confirmation letter arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you cannot find the close account option in your portal, your account type may require you to close it by phone or in person instead.
Closing your account by phone
Call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your account. Have your account number ready. The representative will verify your identity, confirm your account balance is zero, and ask whether you want to close just one account or multiple accounts if you hold several.
The representative will walk you through any pending transactions or automatic payments linked to the account and remind you that closure is permanent. Once you confirm, the account closes when ready. Ask the representative for a confirmation number and note the date and time of the call. You will receive a written confirmation in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Closing your account in person at a branch
Visit any Bank of America branch with a valid photo ID and your account information. Tell the teller or banker you want to close your account. They will verify your identity, check your account balance, and process the closure on the spot. If your account has a balance, the teller can issue you a cashier's check or transfer the funds to another account you specify.
In-person closure is useful if you have questions about pending transactions, want to discuss alternative accounts before leaving, or prefer to handle the closure face-to-face. The branch will give you a receipt showing the closure was processed. The written confirmation arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
What to do before you close your account
Before initiating closure, withdraw or transfer your entire account balance to another bank. Bank of America will not close an account with a remaining balance. If you have automatic bill payments or recurring transfers set up on this account, log into each service (utilities, insurance, subscriptions, loan payments) and update the payment method to your new bank account or credit card. This step prevents payment failures after closure.
Check whether you have direct deposit set up to this account. Contact your employer's payroll department or the organization sending the deposit and provide your new bank account details. Review your recent statements to catch any pending transactions or holds that have not yet cleared. If the bank is holding funds due to a dispute or fraud investigation, closure may be delayed until that resolves.
If you have a linked Bank of America credit card, debit card, or other products, closing a deposit account does not close those. You will need to close them separately if you want to close those too.
What happens after you close your account
The account closes when ready once you complete the closure request, but the bank sends a written confirmation letter within 7 to 10 business days. Any automatic payments or direct deposits scheduled to post after closure will fail and may trigger late fees or missed payment notices from the payee. This is why updating those services before closure is critical.
Bank of America will continue to report the closed account to credit bureaus for up to seven years as part of your credit history, but the account will show as closed and inactive. This does not harm your credit score. If you need to dispute a transaction or have questions about the account after closure, you can still contact Bank of America customer service, though they may have limited access to the closed account details.
Reasons the bank may delay or refuse closure
Bank of America may delay closure if your account has a negative balance (you owe the bank money), if there are pending transactions still processing, or if the bank is investigating fraud or a dispute on the account. In these cases, the bank will explain the delay and tell you when you can try again. Resolve any negative balance by depositing funds to cover it, or contact the bank to arrange a payment plan.
If you have a business account, a trust account, or certain investment accounts, the closure process may be different and may require additional documentation or signatures. Contact your branch or call 1-800-432-1000 to confirm the process for your specific account type.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen my Bank of America account after I close it?
Bank of America does not automatically reopen closed accounts. If you want to bank with them again, you will need to open a new account. You can do this online, by phone, or in a branch. The new account will have a different account number.
What if I close my account but still have checks outstanding?
Outstanding checks will bounce after your account closes because there are no funds to cover them. Before closing, wait until all checks you have written have cleared, or contact the recipients and ask them to hold or cancel the checks. If a check bounces after closure, the recipient may charge you a returned check fee.
Will closing my Bank of America account hurt my credit score?
Closing a deposit account does not directly affect your credit score because deposit accounts are not reported to credit bureaus. However, if closing the account causes automatic bill payments to fail and you miss payments on credit cards or loans, those missed payments will hurt your score. Update all payment methods before closure to avoid this.
How long does it take for Bank of America to process the closure?
The account closes when ready when you complete the closure request online, by phone, or in person. The written confirmation letter arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Any funds still in the account at the time of closure are yours, and the bank will issue them to you by check or transfer if you have not already withdrawn them.
Do I need to close my debit card when I close my account?
Closing a deposit account does not automatically close your debit card. The card will stop working once the account is closed, but you should contact Bank of America or request a new card if you want to formally close it. If you are keeping other Bank of America accounts open, you can link the debit card to one of those instead.