How to Close Your Bank of America Account

How to close your Bank of America account

You can close a Bank of America account by calling customer service, visiting a branch in person, or using the mobile app. The fastest method is usually a phone call — you'll reach someone within minutes, confirm your identity, and have the account closed the same day. If you close online through the app, the request goes to a team that processes it within a few business days. In-person closure at a branch takes about 15 minutes and gives you a receipt on the spot.

Before you close, withdraw or transfer any remaining balance, pay off any outstanding checks or automatic payments, and make sure direct deposits and bill payments are set up elsewhere. Bank of America does not charge a fee to close an account, but if you have a negative balance, you'll need to pay it before the closure is complete.

Key Takeaways

• Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 to close an account over the phone, which usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
• Visit any Bank of America branch with a photo ID to close in person and receive written confirmation when ready.
• Empty your account and cancel automatic payments before closure to avoid declined transactions after the account shuts down.
• If you have a negative balance, you must pay it before Bank of America will process the closure.
• Closed accounts remain on your credit report for seven years, but closure itself does not hurt your credit score.

Closing your account by phone

Call Bank of America's customer service line at 1-800-432-1000. Have your account number and a photo ID ready. The representative will ask you to confirm your identity, verify the account you want to close, and check for any remaining balance or pending transactions.

If your account has a positive balance, the representative will ask how you want the funds sent — by check mailed to your address on file, or by transfer to another bank account. If you choose a transfer, provide the routing number and account number of the receiving bank. The check typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days; a transfer usually completes within 1 to 3 business days.

Once you confirm the closure, the account closes when ready. You'll receive a confirmation number — write it down. The representative may also offer to email you a closure summary, which serves as your record that the account is closed.

Closing your account in person at a branch

Walk into any Bank of America branch with your photo ID and the debit card for the account you want to close. Tell the teller you want to close the account. They will pull up your account, confirm your identity, and check the balance.

If there is money in the account, the teller can give you a cashier's check on the spot, transfer the funds to another Bank of America account you own, or arrange a wire transfer to another bank. If you want the funds sent to an external account, you'll need to provide the routing and account number. The teller will print a receipt showing the account is closed and the disposition of your funds.

Closing in person is useful if you want when ready proof of closure or if you prefer to handle it face-to-face. It also lets you ask questions about any pending transactions or automatic payments tied to that account.

Closing your account through the mobile app

Open the Bank of America mobile app and log in. Go to the account you want to close, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and look for "Close Account" or "Account Services." Select the account and follow the prompts to request closure.

The app will ask you to confirm your identity and review any balance in the account. You'll be asked how you want remaining funds handled — by check or transfer to another account. After you submit the request, it goes into a queue for processing. Bank of America typically processes app-based closures within 2 to 5 business days.

You won't receive when ready confirmation through the app, so watch your email for a closure confirmation message. If you don't hear back within a week, call customer service to confirm the request was received.

What to do before you close

Stop all automatic payments and recurring charges tied to the account at least a week before closure. Log into each service — streaming subscriptions, insurance companies, utilities, loan servicers — and update the payment method to your new account. If you miss one, the payment will be declined, and you may face late fees or service interruptions.

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

Withdraw any cash you need and transfer any balance you want to keep to another account. If you have checks still in circulation, wait until they clear before closing. Checks written against a closed account may bounce, and the payee can charge you a returned-check fee.

What happens if you have a negative balance

A negative balance means you owe Bank of America money — usually because of overdraft fees, returned checks, or other charges. You cannot close the account until you pay this balance in full. When you call or visit to close, the representative will tell you the amount owed and your options to pay.

You can pay by debit card, credit card, or bank transfer over the phone or at a branch. Once the negative balance is paid, the account closure proceeds. If you don't pay, Bank of America will not close the account, and the debt may be reported to a collection agency.

After your account is closed

Your closed account will appear on your credit report for seven years, but the closure itself does not lower your credit score. Closing an account can affect your credit utilization ratio if it was a credit card, but the impact is usually small and temporary.

Keep your closure confirmation number and any paperwork you received. If a company tries to charge the closed account after closure, you have proof the account no longer exists. If you see fraudulent activity on the account after closure, contact Bank of America when ready — you have 60 days to report unauthorized transactions.

If you ever need to reopen a Bank of America account, you can do so at any branch or by phone. There is no waiting period, though the bank will run a new background check through ChexSystems, a banking history database.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my account if I have a pending direct deposit?

Yes, but the deposit may be rejected if it arrives after the account closes. Contact your employer or the organization sending the deposit and redirect it to your new account before you close. If a deposit is rejected, the sender will usually retry or contact you for updated information.

What if I have a Bank of America credit card tied to my checking account?

Closing a checking account does not close a credit card account. The credit card remains open and active. You'll need to update the payment method for the credit card if you were paying it from the checking account you're closing. Log into your credit card account and link it to your new checking account or set up a different payment method.

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

Phone and in-person closures happen the same day. App-based closures take 2 to 5 business days. If you request a check for your remaining balance, the check arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Transfers to another bank usually complete within 1 to 3 business days.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

Closing an account itself does not hurt your credit score. The account will stay on your credit report for seven years, but that does not lower your score. If the account was a credit card, closing it may slightly raise your credit utilization ratio, which could have a small temporary impact, but the effect is usually minimal.

Can I reopen a Bank of America account I closed?

Yes. You can open a new account at any Bank of America branch or online. There is no waiting period or penalty for reopening. Bank of America will run a new ChexSystems check, which is a standard background check for banking history.