How to Close Your Bank of America Account

The basic steps to close a Bank of America account

You can close a Bank of America account by visiting a branch in person, calling customer service, or using online banking. The method you choose depends on your account type and whether you have outstanding transactions or balances. Bank of America does not charge a fee to close an account, but you will need to settle any remaining balance and stop any automatic payments linked to that account before closure.

The fastest route is usually a phone call to the number on the back of your debit card or the customer service line for your account type. A representative can walk you through the closure process, confirm your identity, and answer questions about what happens to your funds. If you prefer to close the account in person, bring a photo ID to any Bank of America branch and ask to speak with an account representative.

Key Takeaways

• You must have a zero balance and no pending transactions before Bank of America will close your account.
• Automatic payments and recurring transfers linked to the account should be moved to another account or cancelled before you request closure.
• Closing an account by phone takes 10 to 15 minutes, while in-person closure at a branch may require a short wait.
• Bank of America will send written confirmation of the closure to your mailing address on file within 7 to 10 business days.

What you need to do before calling or visiting

Before you contact Bank of America to close your account, withdraw or transfer any remaining balance. Even a few cents left in the account can delay or prevent closure. If you have direct deposits set up, change the account information with your employer or benefits provider at least a week before closure to avoid payments being rejected.

Review your account for any automatic payments, recurring charges, or standing transfers. These include subscription services, utility bills, insurance premiums, and transfers to savings accounts. Log into your online banking or call customer service to identify all active transactions. You will need to update or cancel each one separately — Bank of America will not automatically redirect them to another account.

If you have a linked savings account, credit card, or investment account with Bank of America, decide whether you want to close those as well. Closing a checking account does not automatically close other accounts you hold. You will need to request closure for each account separately if that is what you want.

Closing your account over the phone

Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or check. Have your account number and a form of identification ready. The representative will verify your identity by asking for your Social Security number, date of birth, and other personal information on file.

Tell the representative you want to close the account and confirm that your balance is zero and no transactions are pending. They will ask whether you want the account closed when ready or on a specific date. Most closures take effect the same day, though it may take several business days for the account to fully disappear from your online banking.

Ask the representative for a confirmation number and note the date and time of the call. Request that written confirmation be mailed to your address on file. Keep this information in case you need to reference the closure later.

Closing your account in person at a branch

Visit any Bank of America branch during business hours with a photo ID. Tell a teller or account representative that you want to close your account. They will verify your identity and pull up your account information.

The representative will confirm that your balance is zero and ask about any pending transactions or automatic payments. If everything is in order, they will process the closure on the spot. The entire process usually takes 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how busy the branch is.

Ask for a written receipt showing the account closure date and confirmation number. This serves as proof that you closed the account on that date, which can be useful if you later receive mail or see activity related to the account.

What happens after you close the account

Bank of America will send a written confirmation letter to your mailing address within 7 to 10 business days. This letter includes the closure date and confirmation number. Keep this letter for your records.

Your debit card will stop working when ready after closure. If you have checks linked to the account, do not use them after the closure date — they will be rejected. Any automatic payments or transfers scheduled after the closure date will fail, so make sure you have updated all recurring charges with new payment information before the account closes.

If you receive mail from Bank of America after closure, write "account closed" on the envelope and return it to the bank. If you see unexpected activity or charges after the closure date, contact Bank of America when ready to report it.

Reasons Bank of America may not close your account

Bank of America will not close an account if there is any balance remaining, even if it is negative. A negative balance means you owe the bank money. You must deposit funds to bring the balance to exactly zero before closure can proceed.

If you have pending deposits, transfers, or transactions that have not yet cleared, the bank may ask you to wait until those transactions complete. This typically takes 1 to 3 business days. Once all pending items have cleared and your balance is zero, you can request closure again.

Some accounts, such as those with active fraud investigations or holds placed by law enforcement, cannot be closed until the investigation or hold is resolved. If this applies to your account, the representative will explain what needs to happen before closure is possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reopen a Bank of America account after I close it?

Yes, you can open a new account with Bank of America after closing one. However, if your account was closed due to fraud, violation of the account agreement, or repeated overdrafts, the bank may decline to open a new account for you. Contact Bank of America to understand why your previous account was closed before attempting to open a new one.

What if I have a negative balance when I try to close my account?

You must deposit money to bring your balance to zero before the account can close. The negative balance represents money you owe to the bank. Once you deposit the required amount, contact Bank of America again to request closure.

Will closing my Bank of America account affect my credit score?

Closing a checking or savings account does not directly affect your credit score because these accounts do not appear on your credit report. However, if you close a credit card account, it may have a small impact on your credit utilization ratio. Closing a checking account linked to automatic bill payments could indirectly affect your credit if payments fail due to the account closure.

How long does it take for my account to completely disappear from online banking?

Your account may remain visible in your online banking for 30 to 90 days after closure, though you will not be able to use it. This is normal. If the account still appears after 90 days, contact Bank of America to confirm the closure was processed.

Do I need to close my debit card separately?

No, your debit card is linked to your checking account and will stop working when the account closes. You do not need to take separate action to close the card, though you can request a replacement card before closure if you want to keep using Bank of America services with a different account.