How to Close Your Bank of America Account

How to close a Bank of America account

You can close a Bank of America checking or savings account by calling customer service, visiting a branch in person, or using the mobile app. Bank of America does not charge a fee to close an account. Before you close, make sure any automatic payments or direct deposits are moved to another account, your debit card is destroyed, and any outstanding checks have cleared. The account will close within one to three business days after you submit the request.

You do not need to have a zero balance to close an account — if there is money remaining, Bank of America will mail you a check or transfer the funds to another account you specify. If your account is overdrawn, you will need to pay the negative balance before closing.

Key Takeaways

• Call 1-800-432-1000 to close your account by phone, or visit your local Bank of America branch during business hours to close in person.
• Stop all automatic bill payments and direct deposits at least a week before closing, and redirect them to your new bank account.
• Destroy your debit card once the account is closed, and wait for any pending checks to clear before submitting your closure request.
• If money remains in the account, Bank of America will mail a check to your address on file or transfer it to another account you provide.
• Closing takes one to three business days, and you will receive written confirmation by mail.

Close 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 ask you to confirm your identity by providing your Social Security number or other verification information. They will also ask whether you want any remaining balance mailed to you as a check or transferred to another account.

The representative will confirm the closure date and explain what happens next. You will receive a written confirmation letter in the mail within five to seven business days. Keep this letter for your records.

Close your account in person at a branch

Visit your nearest Bank of America branch with a valid photo ID and your debit card. Tell a teller you want to close your account. They will pull up your account, confirm your identity, and ask how you want any remaining funds handled. If your account has a negative balance, you will need to pay it before the teller can process the closure.

The teller will destroy your debit card in front of you and give you a receipt showing the account has been closed. You will also receive a confirmation letter by mail. Closing in person is the fastest method because it happens when ready, though the account may take one to three business days to fully process on the backend.

Close your account through the mobile app

Open the Bank of America mobile app and log in. Go to the account you want to close and look for a menu or settings option — this is usually represented by three dots or lines. Select "Close Account" or a similar option. The app will walk you through confirming your identity and choosing what to do with any remaining balance.

Not all account types can be closed through the app. If you do not see a close option, you will need to call or visit a branch. After you submit the request through the app, you will receive a confirmation email and a paper confirmation letter by mail.

What to do before closing your account

Stop all automatic bill payments at least one week before you close. Log into your Bank of America account online or through the app, go to the bill pay section, and cancel each recurring payment. Then set up those same payments with your new bank. If you miss this step, payments may fail or bounce after your account closes.

Redirect any direct deposits to your new account. Contact your employer's payroll department or the organization sending the deposit and provide them with your new account number and routing number. This usually takes one to two pay cycles to take effect, so make the change as soon as you know you are closing.

Wait for any checks you have written to clear before submitting your closure request. If you close the account and a check arrives after closure, it will bounce. You can check your recent transactions in the app or online to see which checks have posted.

What happens to your remaining balance

If your account has a positive balance when you close, you have two options. Bank of America can mail a check to the address on file, which usually arrives within five to seven business days. Or you can provide another bank account number and routing number, and Bank of America will transfer the funds electronically — this typically takes one to three business days.

If you choose the check option and do not receive it within two weeks, call customer service to confirm the mailing address. If your account is overdrawn, you must pay the negative balance before the account can close. You can pay by debit card, credit card, or bank transfer through the phone representative or at a branch.

What to do with your debit card after closing

Destroy your Bank of America debit card once the account is closed. Cut it into pieces or shred it — do not throw it away intact. If you closed in person at a branch, the teller will have already destroyed the card for you. If you closed by phone or app, your card will stop working when ready, but you should still destroy the physical card to prevent misuse.

Do not give your card to anyone else or leave it lying around. Even though the account is closed, someone could attempt to use the card number for fraud. Shredding takes less than a minute and eliminates this small risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, you can open a new Bank of America account at any time after closing. However, if your account was closed due to fraud or policy violations, Bank of America may decline to open a new account for you. If you closed the account in good standing, you can open a new one the same day if you visit a branch.

What if I have a loan or credit card with Bank of America?

Closing a checking or savings account does not affect a loan or credit card account. However, if you have automatic payments set up from the checking account to pay your loan or credit card, you must change the payment method before closing. Log into your loan or credit card account and update the payment source to your new bank account.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

Closing a checking or savings account does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. Only credit accounts like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit show up on your credit report. Closing a bank account is a routine transaction with no credit impact.

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

If you close in person at a branch, the account closes when ready and you receive a receipt. If you close by phone or app, the account closes within one to three business days. You will receive a written confirmation letter by mail within five to seven business days. Any remaining balance will be mailed or transferred according to your choice.

Can I close a joint account if the other person does not want to?

No. Both account holders must agree to close a joint account. If only one person wants to close it, that person can remove themselves from the account, but the account will remain open. Contact Bank of America to discuss removing yourself as an authorized user or account holder.