You can close a Bank of America account online through their website, but only if you meet two conditions: your account has a zero balance and you have no pending transactions
Bank of America does not offer a full account closure through their online banking portal. Instead, you can initiate the process online by transferring your remaining balance to another account and then requesting closure through their messaging system. If your account has a balance, holds, or pending checks, you will need to call or visit a branch in person.
The fastest route is to call Bank of America's customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and ask to close your account. A representative can walk you through the steps, confirm your balance is zero, and process the closure on the same call. This takes about 10 to 15 minutes. If you prefer to handle it online, the process takes longer because you must wait for each step to complete before moving to the next.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America requires a zero balance before closing an account, so transfer or withdraw all money first.
- You can request closure online through your account messaging, but a phone call to 1-800-432-1000 is faster and confirms the closure is complete.
- Wait for all pending transactions, checks, and automatic payments to clear before you close the account.
- After closure, keep your account number and final statement for your records in case of future disputes or tax questions.
Steps to close your account online
Log into your Bank of America online banking account and go to the "Customer Service" or "Help" section. Look for an option labeled "Close Account" or "Account Services." Bank of America's online system will show you your current balance and any holds on the account. If the balance is zero and there are no holds, you can proceed.
Use the find messaging feature (sometimes called "Contact Us" or "Send a Message") to request account closure. Write a clear message stating your account number, the type of account (checking, savings, or both), and that you want to close it. Include your phone number so a representative can contact you if there are questions. Submit the message and wait for a response, which usually comes within one business day.
A Bank of America representative will contact you to confirm the closure. They will verify that your balance is truly zero, check for any pending transactions or automatic payments, and process the closure. Once approved, the account will close within 5 to 10 business days. You will receive a confirmation email and a final statement by mail.
What to do before you close
Transfer all remaining money out of the account at least one week before you request closure. Use Bank of America's online transfer tool to move funds to another bank, or withdraw cash at an ATM or branch. Do not leave even small amounts behind — the account cannot close until the balance is exactly zero.
Stop all automatic payments and recurring transfers that use this account. Log into any services that charge you monthly (utilities, subscriptions, insurance) and update them with a new payment method. Check your account history for the past three months to catch any automatic payments you may have forgotten about. Pending transactions can delay or block closure, so give yourself at least 10 business days after stopping payments before you request closure.
If you have checks linked to this account, order a final statement and wait until all checks have cleared. Closing an account with outstanding checks can cause those checks to bounce. If you are unsure whether a check has cleared, call customer service or check your online history.
Why you might not be able to close online
Bank of America will not allow online closure if your account has a balance, pending transactions, holds, or active automatic payments. You will also be blocked if you have a credit line or loan attached to the account, or if the account is part of a joint ownership situation where the other owner has not agreed to closure.
If you run into any of these blocks, you must call 1-800-432-1000 or visit a local branch in person. A representative can manually clear holds, confirm pending transactions have truly cleared, and process the closure even if the online system says no. Bring your ID and account number to a branch, or have them ready when you call.
What happens after you close the account
Bank of America will mail you a final statement within 30 days showing all activity up to the closure date. Keep this statement for at least one year. If you have tax deductions related to interest paid or fees charged, you will need this statement as proof.
Your account number will no longer work for deposits or withdrawals. If someone tries to deposit a check into the closed account, it will be returned to the sender. If you set up direct deposit with an employer or government agency, update your banking information with them before the account closes, or your next payment will be rejected.
Bank of America will keep a record of your closed account for your file. If you ever need to dispute a transaction or need documentation from the account, you can contact Bank of America with your account number and they can retrieve the information. This record stays on file for several years.
Closing a joint account
If the account is held jointly with another person, both owners must request closure or one owner must have power of attorney over the account. Bank of America will not close a joint account if only one owner asks. The bank will contact the other owner to confirm they also want the account closed.
If you and the other owner disagree about closure, you have two options: remove yourself as an owner (if the bank allows it) and let the other person keep the account, or visit a branch together with both IDs to discuss the situation with a representative. Some joint accounts can be converted to single-owner accounts, which may resolve the conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to close a Bank of America account?
If you call customer service, the closure can be processed on the same call and the account will close within 5 to 10 business days. If you use online messaging, expect 1 to 2 business days for a response, then another 5 to 10 days for the actual closure. The total time is usually 7 to 12 business days from your first request.
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 an account that has a linked credit line or loan, that may show up as a closed account on your credit report, which can have a small impact. The effect is usually minimal and temporary.
What if I have a negative balance or owe Bank of America money?
You cannot close the account until the negative balance is paid. Contact Bank of America to find out the exact amount owed, then transfer funds into the account or pay by phone to bring the balance to zero. Only then can you request closure.
Can I reopen a closed Bank of America account?
Bank of America does not reopen closed accounts. If you change your mind, you will need to open a new account. The new account will have a different account number and routing number, so you will need to update any automatic payments or direct deposits that were linked to the old account.
Do I need to close my account in person, or can I do it entirely online?
You can request closure online through messaging, but a phone call is faster and gives you confirmation that the closure was processed. If your account has complications (holds, pending transactions, joint ownership disputes), you will need to call or visit a branch. For a straightforward closure with a zero balance, online messaging works fine.