The basic steps to close your Bank of America account
You can close a Bank of America account by visiting a branch in person, calling their customer service line, or using online banking if you have a straightforward account with no outstanding issues. The process itself takes minutes, but you need to handle three things first: move your money out, stop any automatic payments tied to the account, and collect any checks or debit cards still in use.
Bank of America does not charge a fee to close an account. However, if you close an account within 90 days of opening it, the bank may report it to ChexSystems, a banking history database that other banks check when you open new accounts. This does not prevent you from banking elsewhere, but some banks may decline you or require a larger opening deposit.
The fastest route is usually a phone call to the number on the back of your debit card or a visit to your local branch. Online closure is available for some account types but not all — the bank's website will tell you whether your specific account can be closed that way.
Key Takeaways
- Move all your money out of the account before you close it, because Bank of America will not hold funds after closure.
- Stop or redirect any automatic payments (direct deposits, bill pay, subscriptions) at least a week before you close the account.
- Closing within 90 days of opening may be reported to ChexSystems, which can affect your ability to open accounts at other banks.
- You can close most accounts by phone, in person at a branch, or online depending on the account type.
- The bank will send you a confirmation letter in the mail within one to two weeks after closure.
What to do with your money and automatic payments before closing
Transfer your balance to another bank account before you initiate closure. You can do this by setting up an external transfer through Bank of America's online banking, visiting a branch to withdraw cash, or asking the new bank to pull the funds for you. Do not assume the bank will hold your money after the account closes — it will not.
Next, review all automatic payments tied to the account. Log into your Bank of America online banking and look for recurring transactions, direct deposits, and bill pay arrangements. You will need to update these at their source: contact your employer to redirect direct deposit, log into each subscription or bill service to change the payment method, and cancel any standing orders through the bank's bill pay system.
Do this at least one week before you close the account. If a payment tries to go through after closure, it will be rejected, and you may face late fees from the creditor or service provider. If you are unsure whether you have caught everything, wait another week after redirecting the major payments, then check your account one more time for any activity.
Closing your account by phone
Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your Bank of America statement. You will need to verify your identity by providing your account number, Social Security number, and answers to security questions. The representative will confirm that your account balance is zero and that you have no outstanding holds or pending transactions.
Tell the representative you want to close the account. They will ask whether you want the account closed when ready or on a specific date. Closing when ready is usually the better choice because it stops any accidental charges. The representative will give you a confirmation number — write it down.
Ask the representative whether the bank will mail you a final statement and confirmation letter. Most will do this automatically within one to two weeks. If you do not receive it within that time, call back and request it, because you may need proof of closure for tax or legal purposes.
Closing your account in person at a branch
Visit any Bank of America branch with a valid photo ID and your debit card or account number. Tell the teller you want to close the account. They will verify your identity, confirm your account balance is zero, and process the closure on the spot. This method is useful if you have questions about your account history or if you want to withdraw cash before closing.
The teller will give you a receipt with a confirmation number. Ask them to note on your account that you requested closure, and ask whether they will mail you a final statement. Some branches do this automatically; others require you to request it.
If you have a joint account, both account holders may need to be present, or the bank may require a signed authorization from the other person. Call your branch ahead of time to confirm what you need to bring.
Closing your account online
Bank of America allows online closure for some account types but not others. Log into your online banking account and look for account settings or account management. If the option to close the account appears, you can proceed through the steps on screen. The system will confirm that your balance is zero and ask you to review any pending transactions.
Online closure is usually when ready, but you will still receive a confirmation letter in the mail. If the online closure option does not appear for your account, you will need to close by phone or in person. This is common for accounts with complications, such as overdraft protection linked to another account or a credit line attached to the checking account.
What happens after you close the account
Bank of America will send you a final statement showing all activity up to the closure date. This usually arrives within one to two weeks. Keep this statement for your records, especially if you are closing the account for tax or legal reasons.
Any checks you wrote that have not yet cleared will still be paid from the account after closure, as long as the funds are available. If you wrote checks and then closed the account with a zero balance, those checks will bounce. Contact anyone you wrote checks to and let them know the account is closed so they can work with you on an alternative payment method.
If you had overdraft protection linked to this account, that protection will end. If you have another Bank of America account, you may want to set up overdraft protection on that account instead, or you can decline it entirely.
Reopening an account if you change your mind
You can reopen a closed Bank of America account within a certain window, though the exact timeframe varies. If you closed the account by mistake or change your mind shortly after, call customer service or visit a branch and explain the situation. The bank may be able to reopen it, though this is not may provide.
If the account has been closed for more than a few weeks, you will likely need to open a new account instead. This is treated as a new account for ChexSystems purposes, so if you closed within 90 days of opening, that report will still explore to any new account you open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my Bank of America 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 a credit card or line of credit linked to Bank of America, that may have a small impact on your credit utilization ratio. Closing a checking account has no credit effect.
What if I have a negative balance when I try to close?
You cannot close an account with a negative balance. You must deposit money to bring the balance to zero first. If you owe the bank money due to overdraft fees or other charges, you will need to pay that before closure. Contact the bank to confirm the exact amount owed.
Can I close a joint account if the other person does not want to?
No. Both account holders must consent to closure. If you and the other person disagree, you can remove yourself from the account by visiting a branch, but the account itself will remain open. The other person can then close it on their own if they choose.
How long does it take for the account to fully close?
The account is closed when ready when you process the request by phone, in person, or online. However, the bank may take one to two weeks to mail you a final statement and confirmation letter. During this time, any checks you wrote that have not cleared will still be processed.
What if I forgot to redirect a bill payment before closing?
The payment will be rejected, and the creditor or service provider will likely charge you a late fee. Contact them when ready to explain that your account closed and provide a new payment method. Many creditors will waive a single late fee if you update your payment information right away and explain what happened.