How to Close Your Bank of America Checking Account

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

Bank of America lets you close a checking account through three routes: calling their customer service line, visiting a branch in person, or using their online banking platform. The fastest method is usually a phone call, which takes about 10 minutes. Before you close, you'll need to withdraw or transfer any remaining balance, make sure all pending transactions have cleared, and decide what to do with any checks you've ordered or automatic payments linked to the account.

The process itself is straightforward once you've prepared, but the timing matters. If you close an account while checks are still outstanding or while automatic bill payments are scheduled to post, those transactions can fail or bounce. Bank of America will not reopen a closed account to process a check that arrives after closure, so you need to know what's coming out of the account before you initiate the close.

Key Takeaways

• You must have a zero balance before Bank of America will close your checking account, so withdraw or transfer all remaining money first.
• Phone closure is fastest: call 1-800-432-1000 and have your account number ready, and the process takes about 10 minutes.
• Cancel or redirect any automatic payments, recurring transfers, or scheduled bill payments before you close, because the account will no longer exist to process them.
• If you have outstanding checks, wait until they clear or contact the payee to cancel them, because Bank of America cannot process checks on a closed account.
• In-person closure at a branch requires a photo ID and takes longer than a phone call, but gives you a paper record of the closure date.

Prepare your account before you call or visit

Start by moving money out of the account. Bank of America will not close a checking account that has any balance remaining, even if it's a few cents. Transfer the full amount to another bank account you control, or withdraw it in cash at an ATM or branch. Check your recent transactions to make sure you know what's still pending — some transactions take several days to post, and a payment that looks like it cleared might still be processing.

Next, cancel or redirect anything that automatically pulls from this account. Log into your Bank of America online banking and search for recurring payments, automatic transfers, or bill pay arrangements. Contact each company or service that has this account on file — your employer's payroll department, your insurance company, your utility provider, subscription services, and any other recurring charges. Ask them to update your payment method or pause the arrangement until you've given them a new account number. This step prevents payments from bouncing after you close.

If you have checks you've already written that haven't cleared yet, contact the payee directly and ask them to hold or resubmit the check to a different account. Bank of America will not honor checks drawn on a closed account, and the check will bounce. If you're not sure whether a check has cleared, wait a few more days before closing the account.

Close by phone with Bank of America customer service

Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your checking account. Have your account number ready — you can find it on a check, your debit card, or in your online banking login. The representative will verify your identity by asking for your Social Security number, date of birth, or other personal information. They'll confirm that your balance is zero and that there are no pending transactions.

The representative will ask why you're closing the account. You don't have to give a detailed reason, but Bank of America may ask if there's anything they can do to keep your business. If you're closing because of fees or service issues, you can mention that, but the decision to close is yours alone. Once you confirm, the representative will process the closure when ready. Ask them for a confirmation number and the exact closure date, and write both down.

After you hang up, log into your online banking within a few hours to confirm the account no longer appears in your account list. If it still shows up after 24 hours, call back and ask for clarification. Bank of America typically sends a written confirmation letter within 5 to 7 business days, but the account is closed as soon as the representative processes it.

Close in person at a Bank of America branch

Visit any Bank of America branch during business hours with a photo ID and your debit card or account number. Tell the teller you want to close your checking account. They'll verify your identity, confirm your balance is zero, and check for any pending transactions or automatic payments. The process takes longer than a phone call — usually 15 to 20 minutes — because the teller has to enter the request into the system and may need a manager to approve it.

Ask the teller for a written confirmation of the closure, including the date and a reference number. Keep this document for your records. If you have any questions about what happens to your checks, your debit card, or any pending transactions, the teller can answer them in person. Some branches will also shred your checks on the spot if you ask.

Close through Bank of America online banking

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 online closure tool is not available for all account types — if you don't see the option, you'll need to call or visit a branch instead.

If the online option is available, the system will walk you through a series of questions to confirm your balance is zero, that you understand the account will be closed, and that you want to proceed. You'll receive a confirmation number on screen. Write it down and take a screenshot. Bank of America will send a confirmation email and a paper letter within a few days.

Online closure is the fastest method if it's available for your account, but it offers no opportunity to ask questions or get clarification in real time. If anything is unclear, use the phone or branch method instead.

What happens after you close your account

Once your account is closed, Bank of America will no longer process any transactions against it. If a check arrives after the closure date, it will be returned to the sender marked "Account Closed." If an automatic payment tries to post, it will fail and the payee will receive a rejection notice. This is why canceling recurring payments beforehand is critical — you don't want bills to bounce or services to be interrupted.

Your debit card linked to this account will stop working. If you have a Bank of America debit card tied only to this checking account, destroy it or contact Bank of America to have it deactivated. If the card is linked to multiple accounts, it will continue to work with your other accounts.

Bank of America will keep records of your closed account for a set period for regulatory and tax purposes. You can request a statement or transaction history after closure by calling customer service, but you won't be able to access the account through online banking. If you need records for tax purposes or to dispute a transaction, contact Bank of America within the timeframe specified in your closure confirmation letter.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, you can open a new checking account with Bank of America at any time after closure. However, you cannot reopen the exact same account — you'll be opening a new account with a new account number. If you closed because of a temporary issue, consider calling customer service before closing to see if they can resolve it instead.

What if I close my account and then a check arrives?

Bank of America will return the check to the sender marked "Account Closed." The sender will need to contact you to arrange payment through another method or account. This is why you should wait for all outstanding checks to clear before closing, or contact the payee to cancel checks you've written.

Do I need to close my savings account if I'm closing my checking account?

No. Your checking and savings accounts are separate, and closing one does not affect the other. You can close your checking account and keep your savings account open, or vice versa. If you want to close both, you'll need to initiate separate closure requests for each account.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

No. Closing a checking account does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. Credit reports track credit accounts like loans and credit cards, not deposit accounts like checking or savings.

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

The account is closed when ready when the representative processes your request by phone or in person, or when you confirm online. However, Bank of America may take 5 to 7 business days to send you a written confirmation letter. Any checks or automatic payments that arrive after the closure date will be rejected, so treat the account as closed as soon as you receive your confirmation number.