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 checking or savings account by visiting a branch in person, calling customer service, or using online banking. The fastest route is usually a phone call to the number on the back of your debit card or on your Bank of America statement — you'll reach someone who can start the process when ready. If you go to a branch, bring a photo ID and any debit cards linked to the account you're closing.

Before you close, make sure your account balance is zero or move any remaining money to another bank account. Bank of America will not close an account with a negative balance, and they may charge overdraft fees if the account goes below zero after you've requested closure. If you have automatic payments or direct deposits set to that account, change those to your new bank first — otherwise payments may fail or deposits may be lost.

The actual closure takes a few business days to process. Bank of America will send you a confirmation letter in the mail with the final account status. Keep this letter for your records, especially if you had any pending transactions or disputes on the account.

Key Takeaways

• Call the customer service number on your debit card or statement to close your account — this is usually faster than visiting a branch.
• Bring your account to a zero balance before closing, because Bank of America will not close accounts with negative balances.
• Move any automatic payments and direct deposits to another account first, or they may fail after your account closes.
• The closure takes a few business days, and you'll receive a confirmation letter by mail.
• Keep your confirmation letter for your records in case you need proof the account was closed.

What happens to your debit card when you close the account

Your debit card will stop working as soon as Bank of America processes the closure request, usually within one to three business days. You do not need to cut up the card or return it — it will straightforward decline at any point of sale or ATM. If you want to destroy it yourself for security reasons, you can cut it in half and throw it away.

If you have multiple debit cards on the same account (such as a backup card or a card for a family member), all of them will stop working when the account closes. Make sure anyone else using a card from that account knows the closure date so they don't try to use it and have a transaction declined in public.

Closing a joint account

If the account is held jointly with another person, both account holders must agree to close it. Bank of America requires either both people to be present at a branch or both to authorize the closure by phone. If only one person calls, the bank will ask for written consent from the other account holder before proceeding.

When a joint account closes, any remaining balance is typically split equally between the two owners unless you specify otherwise. If you and the other account holder disagree about how to split the money, you'll need to settle that before the bank will close the account. The bank will not hold the funds or make a decision about who gets what — that's between you and the other person.

Handling outstanding checks and pending transactions

If you've written checks that haven't cleared yet, those checks may still go through after you close the account. Bank of America will honor checks for a limited time after closure, but this varies depending on when the check was written and when it reaches the bank. The safest approach is to wait until all checks you've written have cleared before requesting closure, or contact the people you wrote checks to and ask them to hold off on depositing.

Pending transactions — charges that show on your account but haven't fully processed — will complete after the account closes if the merchant submits them. This means you could end up with overdraft fees if the pending amount is larger than your account balance. Before closing, check your recent transactions for any pending charges and wait for them to clear, or make sure your balance covers them.

Closing a savings account versus a checking account

The process is the same whether you're closing a savings account or a checking account. However, if you have both types of accounts at Bank of America, you can close just one and keep the other open. Make sure you specify which account you want to close when you call or visit a branch, because the bank will ask for clarification if you have multiple accounts.

Some Bank of America accounts have monthly maintenance fees that are waived if you keep a minimum balance or set up direct deposit. If you're closing because of fees, you may want to ask about switching to a different account type instead — the customer service representative can explain what options are available to you.

What to do after your account closes

After your Bank of America account closes, you won't be able to log into online banking for that account. Any statements or transaction history will still be available through your Bank of America account for a period of time, but you should read or print anything you need for your records before the account closes.

If you receive a bill or notice addressed to that closed account, forward it to your new bank or contact the sender directly to update your account information. Some companies take time to update their records, so you may receive mail for the closed account for a few weeks after closure.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, you can open a new account at Bank of America after closing one. However, if your account was closed due to fraud or violation of the bank's terms of service, Bank of America may refuse to open a new account for you. If you closed it for a routine reason, you can open a new account the same day if you want.

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

Bank of America will not close an account with a negative balance. You must bring the account to zero or positive before the closure can go through. Pay the negative amount from another account or deposit funds to cover it, then request closure again.

Do I need to close my account in person, or can I do it over the phone?

You can close your account over the phone by calling the number on your debit card or statement. You do not need to visit a branch unless the bank asks you to verify your identity in person, which is rare. Phone closure is usually faster.

What happens to my online banking login after I close the account?

You won't be able to log into online banking for that specific account after it closes. If you have other Bank of America accounts, you can still log in to see those. Your login credentials for other accounts remain active.

How long does it take Bank of America to close an account?

The closure typically takes one to three business days to process after you request it. You'll receive a confirmation letter by mail within one to two weeks. During this time, your debit card will stop working, but pending transactions may still clear.