How to Close Your Bank of America Account Online

You can close a Bank of America account online through your digital banking profile, but the process depends on your account type and whether you have outstanding balances or linked services.

Bank of America lets you close checking and savings accounts through their website or mobile app without visiting a branch. The steps are straightforward, but you'll need to handle a few things first: move any remaining money out, make sure no automatic payments are still running, and confirm you don't have a negative balance. Some account types—like investment accounts or credit cards—require different closure methods.

The actual closure takes a few minutes once you're ready, but the preparation work usually takes longer. This guide walks you through what to do before you close, how to close online, and what happens after.

Key Takeaways

• Before closing, withdraw or transfer your remaining balance, stop any automatic bill payments or direct deposits, and pay off any negative balance on the account.
• You close most Bank of America accounts through the mobile app or website by going to Settings, then Account Services, then selecting the account and choosing Close Account.
• Credit cards and investment accounts cannot be closed through online banking and require a phone call to Bank of America customer service.
• After closure, your account number becomes inactive within one to two business days, and Bank of America will mail you a final statement within 30 days.
• If you have a mortgage, auto loan, or other credit product with Bank of America, closing a deposit account does not affect those loans.

What to do before you close your account

Empty the account completely. Withdraw all remaining money or transfer it to another bank. Bank of America will not close an account with a positive balance still in it—you have to move that money yourself. If you have a small amount left (under $25 in many cases), you can request a check by mail, but it's faster to transfer electronically to another account you control.

Stop any automatic payments or direct deposits tied to this account. Log into your employer's payroll system or your benefits provider and update your direct deposit information to point to a different account. Check your bills—utilities, subscriptions, insurance, loan payments—and change the payment method or account number on each one. If you miss this step, payments will fail and you may face late fees or service interruptions.

Pay off any negative balance. If you've overdrawn the account or owe Bank of America fees, you must settle that before closure. You can transfer money back into the account from another source, or call Bank of America to discuss payment options.

Gather any documents you might need later. read or print recent statements, transaction history, and tax documents (like 1099 forms if this was an interest-bearing account). Bank of America keeps records, but having your own copies is useful for taxes or disputes.

How to close a checking or savings account online

Through the Bank of America website: Log in to your account at bankofamerica.com. Click on your profile icon or menu (usually in the top right corner). Select Settings, then Account Services. Find the account you want to close and click on it. Look for an option that says Close Account or Manage Account, and follow the prompts. You'll be asked to confirm the closure and may see a summary of any remaining balance or pending transactions.

Through the Bank of America mobile app: Open the app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines). Go to Settings, then Account Services. Select the account you want to close. Tap Close Account and confirm your choice. The app will walk you through any final steps.

After you submit the closure request, Bank of America will send you a confirmation email. The account becomes inactive within one to two business days. Any pending transactions may still process during this window, so don't be surprised if a check clears or a payment goes through after you've requested closure.

Account types that require a phone call to close

Credit cards cannot be closed through online banking. You must call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 to close a credit card account. Have your card number ready. The representative will confirm your identity, check for any remaining balance, and process the closure. If you have a balance, you'll need to pay it off before or after closure (you can still make payments on a closed card).

Investment accounts, brokerage accounts, and retirement accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s) also require a phone call. The closure process is more complex because of tax and regulatory rules around these accounts. Call the Bank of America investment services line at 1-800-642-8855.

If you have a mortgage, auto loan, or other credit product with Bank of America, closing a deposit account does not affect those loans. You can keep making payments on the loan through a different account or payment method.

What happens after your account closes

Your account number becomes inactive and cannot receive deposits or payments. If someone tries to send you money to that account number, the transfer will fail or be returned. Make sure anyone who sends you regular payments (employer, government benefits, insurance refunds) has your new account information.

Bank of America will mail you a final statement within 30 days showing all activity up to the closure date. Keep this for your records, especially if you need it for taxes or to verify that all your transactions cleared.

Your account history remains in Bank of America's system. If you need to look up an old transaction or dispute a charge, you can still contact Bank of America and they can pull that information, even after closure. However, you won't be able to access it through your online login.

If you want to reopen an account later

You can open a new Bank of America account at any time, either online or at a branch. Opening a new account is treated as a fresh start—it's a different account number and a new account opening. There is no "reactivation" process for closed accounts.

If you closed your account in good standing (no fraud, no unpaid fees), you should have no trouble opening a new one. Bank of America does review your history with ChexSystems, which is a banking history report. If you had repeated overdrafts or closed an account with a negative balance, a new bank might decline you, but Bank of America's standards vary by situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my account if I still have pending transactions?

You can request closure even with pending transactions, but the account will remain open until those transactions clear. This usually takes one to two business days. Once they process, the account closes automatically. If you're in a hurry, wait for pending items to clear before you request closure.

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

Bank of America will not close the account until the negative balance is paid. You can transfer money back into the account from another bank, or call customer service to arrange payment. Once the balance is zero or positive, you can proceed with closure.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

Closing a deposit account (checking or savings) does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit products like loans and credit cards, not deposit accounts. Closing a credit card can have a small impact on your credit utilization ratio, but closing a bank account has no direct effect.

Do I need to close my account in person at a branch?

No. You can close checking and savings accounts entirely online through the website or app. You only need to visit a branch if you prefer to do it in person or if you have questions the online process doesn't answer. Credit cards and investment accounts do require a phone call.

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

The account becomes inactive within one to two business days after you submit the closure request. Your final statement arrives by mail within 30 days. After that, the account is considered closed, though Bank of America keeps records indefinitely.