You can close a Bank of America checking account online through their website or mobile app, but only if you meet certain conditions first
Bank of America lets you close a checking account online if the account has a zero balance, no pending transactions, and no holds. If your account has money in it, you must transfer or withdraw the funds before you can close it. If you have automatic payments or direct deposits set up, those must be stopped or redirected first. The online closure process takes a few minutes once these conditions are met.
If your account does not meet these conditions, or if you prefer to close it over the phone, you can call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and speak to a representative. Closing by phone takes longer but does not require you to move money yourself first — the bank can issue you a check or transfer funds to another account.
Key Takeaways
- Your checking account must have a zero balance before you can close it online through the Bank of America website or app.
- Stop all automatic payments, direct deposits, and scheduled transfers at least a few days before you attempt to close the account.
- If you have pending transactions or holds on the account, wait for them to clear before starting the closure process.
- Closing by phone (1-800-432-1000) is an option if your account does not meet the online requirements or if you want the bank to handle the balance for you.
Steps to close your account online
Log into your Bank of America account on their website or open the mobile app. Navigate to the account settings or account management section — this is usually found under a menu labeled "Settings," "Profile," or "Account." Look for an option that says "Close Account" or "Manage Account." Bank of America may list this under account services or account options.
Select your checking account from the list of accounts you hold. The system will show you a confirmation screen that lists the account number, account type, and current balance. Review this information to make sure you are closing the correct account. If the balance is not zero, you will not be able to proceed — the system will stop you and direct you to transfer or withdraw the remaining funds first.
Once the balance is confirmed as zero, follow the prompts to confirm the closure. Bank of America will ask you to verify your identity and may ask why you are closing the account. Answer these questions and submit the request. You should receive a confirmation number and a confirmation email within a few minutes.
What to do with money still in the account
If your checking account has a balance, transfer the money to another Bank of America account you own, or to an account at a different bank. You can transfer to another Bank of America account instantly through the app or website by selecting "Transfer Money" and choosing the destination account. The funds will move within minutes.
To transfer money to a bank outside Bank of America, use an external transfer. This requires you to add the other bank's routing number and your account number at that bank. External transfers typically take one to three business days. If you need the money faster, withdraw it as cash at a Bank of America ATM or branch, then deposit it where you need it.
If you have a small balance and do not want to set up a transfer, you can request a check from Bank of America. Call 1-800-432-1000 and ask them to mail you a check for the remaining balance. This takes five to seven business days.
Stop automatic payments and direct deposits before closing
Before you close your account, identify all automatic payments and direct deposits linked to it. Log into your checking account and review the last two months of transactions. Look for recurring charges (subscriptions, insurance, utilities, loan payments) and regular deposits (paycheck, benefits, transfers from another account).
For automatic payments, contact each company or service and update your payment method or account number. For example, if your electric bill is set to pay from this checking account, log into the utility company's website and change the payment account to a different bank account, or switch to a different payment method like a credit card. Do this at least three to five business days before you close the account.
For direct deposits, contact your employer's payroll department or the organization sending the deposit (Social Security, pension, benefits) and provide them with your new account number at your new bank. Direct deposits can take one or two pay cycles to update, so make this change as soon as you decide to close the account.
What happens if you close the account with pending transactions
If you close your account while a transaction is still pending, the transaction may fail or bounce. A pending transaction is one that has been authorized but not yet settled — for example, a debit card charge at a store that has not yet posted to your account, or a check you wrote that has not yet cleared. These transactions can take one to five business days to settle.
If a transaction fails because the account is closed, the merchant or payee will see a "returned" or "declined" status. This can result in late fees, overdraft fees at the other party's bank, or a failed payment on a bill. To avoid this, wait at least five to seven business days after your last transaction before closing the account, or check your pending transactions list in the app before you start the closure process.
If you have already closed the account and a transaction fails, contact Bank of America immediately. They may be able to reopen the account temporarily or help you resolve the failed transaction with the merchant.
Closing the account by phone if online closure is not an option
Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your checking account. Have your account number and a form of identification ready. The representative will verify your identity by asking security questions or requesting information from your account.
The representative will ask about the balance in your account. If there is money left, they can transfer it to another Bank of America account you own, mail you a check, or transfer it to an external bank account if you provide the routing and account numbers. This option is useful if you do not want to handle the transfer yourself or if you are closing the account because you no longer have access to it.
The representative will confirm the closure and provide you with a confirmation number. Ask them to email or mail you written confirmation of the closure. Keep this confirmation for your records in case there are questions about the account later.
What to expect after you close the account
Once your account is closed, you will no longer be able to use the debit card, checks, or online access for that account. If you have a debit card linked to the account, it will stop working immediately. Destroy the card by cutting it up or shredding it.
Bank of America will send you a final statement showing the closure date and the balance at the time of closure. This statement will arrive by mail within one to two weeks. Keep this statement for your tax and financial records.
If you receive mail or notices related to the closed account after closure, contact Bank of America to let them know. Sometimes merchants or billers continue to send statements or notices to old accounts. You can also file a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service if you want to redirect mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my account if I still have checks outstanding?
You should wait until all checks have cleared before closing the account. Outstanding checks can take up to 30 days to clear. If you close the account while checks are still pending, they may bounce and result in fees. Contact Bank of America to ask about the status of recent checks before you proceed with closure.
What if I have a negative balance or overdraft fees?
You must pay any negative balance or overdraft fees before you can close the account. Bank of America will not let you close an account with a debt owed. If you have overdraft fees, you can dispute them by calling 1-800-432-1000, but you must resolve the issue before closure.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a checking account does not directly affect your credit score because checking accounts are not reported to credit bureaus. However, if you have overdraft fees or unpaid balances that go to collections, those can hurt your credit. Pay any outstanding balance before you close.
How long does it take to close the account online?
If your account meets all the requirements (zero balance, no pending transactions, no holds), the online closure process takes about five to ten minutes. You will receive a confirmation email within a few minutes of submitting the request. The account will be fully closed within one business day.
Can I reopen the account after I close it?
Bank of America may let you reopen a closed account within a certain period, but this depends on how long ago it was closed and why. Contact Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 to ask if your account can be reopened. If it has been more than a few months, you may need to open a new account instead.