Yes, but Bank of America will close it if it stays empty long enough

Bank of America does not require you to maintain a minimum balance in most checking accounts. You can have zero dollars in the account and it will remain open — for a while. However, Bank of America will close an account that shows no activity for a set period, usually 12 months or longer. The exact timeline depends on the account type and whether you have other products with the bank.

The real cost of a zero-balance account is not the balance itself but the monthly maintenance fee. Most Bank of America checking accounts charge a monthly fee unless you meet one of their waiver conditions. If your account sits at zero with no deposits or transfers coming in, you will owe that fee each month, and the account will go negative. Once an account goes negative and stays that way, closure becomes more likely.

The safest approach is to keep at least a small deposit in the account or arrange for a direct deposit, which waives the monthly fee on most accounts. If you cannot do either, you can close the account yourself rather than wait for the bank to do it.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America checking accounts have no minimum balance requirement, but most charge a monthly maintenance fee unless you meet a waiver condition.
  • An account with zero balance will accrue negative fees and eventually be closed by the bank if it shows no activity for 12 months or longer.
  • Direct deposit, a linked savings account, or a minimum daily balance can waive the monthly fee and keep the account active.
  • If you do not use the account, closing it yourself prevents the bank from closing it and reporting the closure to ChexSystems.

What counts as account activity to prevent closure

Bank of America considers a deposit, withdrawal, or transfer as activity. A direct deposit counts. A debit card purchase counts. An ACH transfer in or out counts. Even a balance inquiry or login to online banking does not count as activity — the account must have actual money movement.

If your account has zero balance and no transactions for 12 months, Bank of America will send you a notice before closing it. The notice usually arrives 30 days before closure. If you make any transaction during that 30-day window, the closure is typically cancelled. After closure, the bank reports the account to ChexSystems, a banking history database that other banks check when you try to open a new account.

Monthly fees and how to avoid them

Bank of America's standard checking account (called Advantage Checking) charges $12 per month. This fee is waived if you maintain a $1,500 daily balance, set up a direct deposit of any amount, or link a Bank of America savings account with a $300 minimum balance. If none of these apply and your account sits at zero, the fee will be deducted each month, pushing the balance negative.

Other Bank of America checking products have different fee structures. The Advantage Plus Checking account charges $15 per month but waives the fee with a $2,000 daily balance or direct deposit. The Preferred Checking account charges $20 per month. If you have a zero-balance account and cannot meet any waiver condition, the monthly fee will accumulate as debt to the bank.

Once an account goes negative, Bank of America may charge an overdraft fee on top of the monthly maintenance fee. This creates a cycle where fees pile up faster than you can address them. Closing the account stops the fees immediately.

What happens when the bank closes your account

When Bank of America closes an account due to inactivity or non-payment of fees, they send a final notice to your mailing address on file. If the account is negative, you owe that amount. The bank may attempt to collect it, and if they cannot, they may sell the debt to a collection agency. A collection account will appear on your credit report and damage your credit score.

The closure itself is reported to ChexSystems within 30 days. ChexSystems is not a credit bureau, but banks use it to screen applicants. If you are listed as having a closed account due to mismanagement, some banks will deny you when you try to open a new account. This can make it harder to open accounts at other institutions for several years.

You can dispute the closure with Bank of America if you believe it was made in error, but the bank's policy on inactivity is clear and difficult to challenge. The better route is to close the account yourself before the bank does, which gives you control over the timing and prevents the negative report to ChexSystems.

How to close a Bank of America checking account

You can close a Bank of America checking account online, by phone, or in person at a branch. Online closure is available through the Bank of America website or mobile app — go to Account Services, select the account, and choose Close Account. By phone, call 1-800-432-1000 and speak to a representative. In person, visit any Bank of America branch with a photo ID.

Before you close the account, make sure any pending transactions have cleared. If you have automatic bill payments or direct deposits set up, redirect them to another account first. The bank will not process new transactions after closure, so bills paid from the closed account will bounce.

If the account is negative, you will need to pay the balance before closure. The bank will not close an account with an outstanding debt. If you cannot pay it in full, ask the representative about a payment plan or settlement option.

Keeping a zero-balance account open without fees

If you want to keep the account open but cannot maintain a balance, set up a direct deposit. This is the easiest fee waiver. Direct deposit does not require a large amount — even a small recurring transfer from another account counts. Some employers offer direct deposit for paychecks, tax refunds, or government benefits. If you receive any regular payment, you can arrange for it to go to this account.

Another option is to link a Bank of America savings account with the required minimum balance. If you have $300 in a savings account, it waives the checking fee. This works if you have access to that amount but want to keep it separate from your checking account.

If neither option works, consider whether you actually need the account. If you have not used it in months and have no plans to use it, closing it prevents future fees and protects your banking history. You can always open a new account later if your situation changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Bank of America charge overdraft fees if my account goes negative from monthly fees?

Yes. If the monthly maintenance fee pushes your account below zero and you do not have overdraft protection, Bank of America will charge an overdraft fee on top of the monthly fee. This can add $35 or more per transaction. The fees compound quickly, making the negative balance grow faster.

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

You can try to open a new account, but Bank of America will see the closed account in their system and may deny you if the closure was recent or if the account went negative. The bank's policy on reopening accounts after closure varies. Contact the bank directly to ask whether you are may be able to access to open a new account.

Does a zero-balance checking account hurt my credit score?

A zero-balance account itself does not hurt your credit score because checking accounts do not appear on credit reports. However, if the account goes negative and the bank reports it to a collection agency, that collection account will damage your score. Closing the account before it goes negative prevents this.

What if I have a pending direct deposit but the account gets closed?

If the account is closed before a direct deposit arrives, the deposit will be rejected and returned to the sender. This can delay your paycheck or benefit payment. Make sure to close the account only after you have redirected all incoming deposits to another account and confirmed the change with your employer or benefit provider.

Is there a Bank of America checking account with no monthly fee?

Bank of America does not offer a completely free checking account with no monthly fee under any circumstances. However, the monthly fee is waived if you meet one of the conditions: direct deposit, a linked savings account with $300, or a daily checking balance of $1,500 or higher. If you cannot meet any of these, you will pay the monthly fee.