How to Close Your Bank of America Account Online

You can close most Bank of America accounts through Online Banking without visiting a branch

Bank of America lets you close checking and savings accounts through Online Banking on your computer or mobile app. The process takes a few minutes: you log in, navigate to the account settings, and request closure. Bank of America will then walk you through what happens to any remaining balance and any automatic payments tied to that account.

Before you close, make sure your account balance is zero or that you have arranged to move any remaining money elsewhere. If you have automatic bill payments or direct deposits set to that account, you will need to update those with your new account information or cancel them first — Bank of America will not process a closure if active payments are still attached.

Some accounts cannot be closed online. If you have a credit card, investment account, or mortgage with Bank of America, you will need to call or visit a branch. This guide covers deposit accounts only — checking, savings, and money market accounts.

Key Takeaways

• Log into Online Banking, go to account settings, and select the option to close your account — the exact menu location depends on whether you are on desktop or mobile.
• Your account balance must be zero before closure, so withdraw remaining funds or transfer them to another bank first.
• Cancel or redirect any automatic bill payments, direct deposits, or recurring transfers before you request closure.
• Bank of America will send you written confirmation of the closure and any final statements to the address on file.
• Credit cards, investment accounts, and mortgages cannot be closed through Online Banking and require a phone call or branch visit.

Steps to close your account through Online Banking

Start by logging into your Bank of America Online Banking account on your computer or through the mobile app. Make sure you are logged into the account you want to close — if you have multiple accounts, double-check the account number.

On the desktop version, go to the Settings menu (usually a gear icon in the upper right corner). Look for an option labeled "Close Account" or "Account Closure." On the mobile app, tap the menu icon, then select "Settings," and scroll to find the account closure option. The exact wording and location can shift with app updates, so if you cannot find it when ready, use the search function within the app to search for "close account."

Click or tap the closure option for the specific account you want to close. Bank of America will ask you to confirm your choice and may ask why you are closing the account — this is optional feedback and does not affect the closure. Review the information on screen to make sure you have selected the right account, then submit your request.

You will receive an on-screen confirmation that your closure request has been submitted. Bank of America typically processes the closure within a few business days. You will receive written confirmation by mail at the address on file, along with a final statement if there were any transactions or fees in the final period.

What to do with your remaining balance before closure

Bank of America will not close an account that still has money in it. Before you submit your closure request, your balance must be exactly zero.

If you have funds remaining, you have two options: withdraw the money in cash at an ATM or branch, or transfer it to another account. To transfer, you can use Online Banking's transfer feature to move money to another Bank of America account you own, or you can set up an external transfer to an account at a different bank. External transfers typically take one to three business days, so plan ahead if you are moving money out of Bank of America entirely.

If you have a small balance and do not want to make a trip to the branch, you can also write yourself a check from the account and deposit it elsewhere, though this adds an extra step and timing delay.

Canceling automatic payments and direct deposits

Any automatic bill payments, recurring transfers, or direct deposits tied to the account you are closing must be stopped or redirected before closure. Bank of America will not close an account with active payment instructions.

Log into Online Banking and go to the Bill Pay section (or Transfers, depending on your account type). Look for any scheduled or recurring payments set to come out of the account you are closing. Cancel each one individually. For each cancelled payment, make a note of the company or person you were paying, because you will need to set up a new payment method with them using a different account.

For direct deposits — such as paycheck deposits or government benefit deposits — contact your employer or the organization sending the deposit and provide them with your new account number at another bank. This change can take one to two pay periods to take effect, so do this well before you close the account. If a direct deposit arrives after the account is closed, it will be returned to the sender, and you will have to contact them to resubmit it to the correct account.

What happens after you submit your closure request

Once you submit your closure request through Online Banking, Bank of America will process it within a few business days. During this time, your account will still be active, but you will not be able to use the debit card or make new transactions. Any pending transactions that were already in progress may still post.

You will receive a written confirmation letter in the mail confirming that your account has been closed. This letter will include the date of closure and your final account statement if there were any activity or fees. Keep this letter for your records.

After closure, you will no longer see the account in your Online Banking dashboard. If you need to reference old statements or transactions from the closed account, you can request them from Bank of America — they keep records for a set period, though you may need to call or visit a branch to retrieve very old statements.

Accounts that require a phone call or branch visit

Not all Bank of America accounts can be closed online. Credit cards must be closed by calling the number on the back of your card or by visiting a branch. Investment accounts, brokerage accounts, and retirement accounts (IRAs, 401k rollovers) also require a phone call or branch visit because they involve more complex steps around fund liquidation and tax documentation.

If you have a mortgage or home equity line of credit with Bank of America, those cannot be closed through Online Banking either. You will need to contact your loan servicer directly or visit a branch to discuss payoff and closure options.

For any of these account types, call Bank of America at the number on your statement or visit your local branch with a photo ID. The representative will walk you through the specific closure process for that account type.

What to do if you cannot find the closure option

If you have logged into Online Banking and cannot locate the account closure option, it may be because your account type does not support online closure, or the menu location may have changed with a recent app update. Try searching within the app or website for "close account" using the search function.

If the search does not return results, or if you see a message saying the account cannot be closed online, call Bank of America at the customer service number on your statement. A representative can close the account over the phone or direct you to the correct online menu if the option is available for your specific account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will closing my account hurt 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, that can have a small impact on your credit utilization ratio. If you are closing a credit card, consider calling Bank of America to discuss the timing.

What happens to my debit card when I close the account?

Your debit card will stop working once the account is closed, usually within a few business days of your closure request. You do not need to do anything with the card — it will straightforward decline if you try to use it. You can destroy it or let it expire naturally.

Can I reopen the account after I close it?

Bank of America may allow you to reopen a recently closed account, but this depends on how long ago it was closed and the reason for closure. Call Bank of America to ask whether your account can be reopened. If it cannot, you can always open a new account.

How long does it take for the account to fully close?

Bank of America typically processes account closures within a few business days of your request. You will receive written confirmation by mail within one to two weeks. The account will stop functioning when ready, but the official closure may take slightly longer to appear in all Bank of America systems.

Do I need to close my account in person, or can I really do it online?

For checking and savings accounts, you can close entirely online through Online Banking without visiting a branch. You do not need to call or go in person unless you have trouble finding the closure option or your account type does not support online closure.