You can close most Bank of America accounts online through your profile settings, but the process depends on your account type and balance

Bank of America lets you close checking and savings accounts through their website or mobile app without calling or visiting a branch. The steps take about five minutes if your account has no outstanding transactions. However, if you have a credit card, investment account, or a balance owed, you will need to handle those separately or call customer service at 1-800-432-1000.

The online closure works best when your account is in good standing—meaning no pending deposits, no overdrafts, and no linked services like bill pay or transfers still in motion. If you have direct deposits or automatic payments set up, you should cancel those first or redirect them to another account, because Bank of America will not process the closure until those are cleared.

Key Takeaways

  • Close checking and savings accounts online through your Bank of America profile under Account Settings, but credit cards and investment accounts must be closed by phone.
  • Your account must have a zero balance and no pending transactions before you can close it online; if money is owed, you must pay it first.
  • Cancel all direct deposits, automatic bill payments, and linked transfers at least a few days before you close the account to avoid failed transactions.
  • Bank of America will send you a confirmation email once the account is closed, and you should keep that email as proof in case disputes arise later.
  • If you have a credit card with Bank of America, closing a checking account does not close the card—you must close credit products separately.

Steps to close your account online

Log into your Bank of America account on the website or open the mobile app. Go to Account Settings, which is usually found in the menu under your profile or account options. Look for a link that says "Close Account" or "Account Closure"—the exact wording varies slightly between the website and app.

Select the account you want to close from the list of accounts tied to your login. Bank of America will show you a summary of your current balance and any pending activity. If your balance is not zero, you will see a message telling you to pay the balance first. If there are pending transactions, you may need to wait for them to clear before the closure option becomes available.

Confirm that you want to close the account. Bank of America will ask you to verify your identity—usually by answering security questions or confirming recent transactions. Once you confirm, the account will close immediately, and you will receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. Save this email; it serves as proof that the account was closed on a specific date.

What to do before closing your account

Stop all automatic payments and direct deposits at least three to five business days before you close the account. If your paycheck goes directly into this account, contact your employer's payroll department and provide them with your new account number. If you have automatic bill payments set up through Bank of America, log into each biller's website and update your payment method, or cancel the automatic payment and switch to manual payments.

Withdraw any remaining balance or transfer it to another account. You can do this through a transfer to another bank, an ATM withdrawal, or a teller visit. Bank of America will not let you close an account with money still in it, so make sure the balance shows zero before you attempt the online closure.

Check for any outstanding checks or pending transfers. If you wrote a check that has not cleared yet, wait for it to clear before closing the account, or contact the recipient and ask them to deposit it sooner. Similarly, if you initiated a transfer to another bank, make sure it has completed before you close the account.

When you cannot close your account online

If you have a Bank of America credit card, you cannot close it through the same online process as your checking or savings account. Credit cards must be closed by calling 1-800-432-1000 or visiting a branch. When you call, have your card number ready and be prepared to answer security questions. The representative will confirm that your balance is zero and then close the card. You will receive a confirmation letter in the mail within two weeks.

If your account has a negative balance—meaning you owe Bank of America money—you must pay that balance before the account can be closed. This can happen if you had overdraft fees or if a check bounced. Pay the balance through another account or by visiting a branch, then wait for the payment to post before attempting to close the account online.

If you have a Bank of America investment account, brokerage account, or retirement account, those cannot be closed online. Call 1-800-432-1000 to speak with an investment representative. They will walk you through the process of liquidating your holdings and transferring or withdrawing the funds before the account closes.

What happens after your account closes

Your account will be closed immediately after you confirm the closure online, but Bank of America may take up to 10 business days to fully process the closure in their system. During this time, any checks or transfers that were in motion may still post. If a check arrives after the account is closed, Bank of America will return it to the sender marked "Account Closed."

You will no longer be able to access the account through online banking or the mobile app. Any debit card linked to the account will stop working. If you have a checkbook for that account, destroy the remaining checks to prevent fraud.

Bank of America will keep records of the closed account for your tax and legal protection. If you need a statement or transaction history from the closed account, you can request it by calling 1-800-432-1000. They can provide statements for up to seven years after the account closes.

Reasons to close an account and alternatives

People close Bank of America accounts for many reasons: switching to a bank with lower fees, moving to a bank closer to home, consolidating multiple accounts, or ending a joint account after a life change. Before you close, consider whether you might need the account later. If you are closing because of fees, you may be able to switch to a different Bank of America account type that has lower or no monthly fees.

If you have a joint account and only one person wants to close it, you cannot do that online. Both account holders must agree to the closure, and you will need to call 1-800-432-1000 or visit a branch to close a joint account. The bank may offer to convert it to a single-name account instead.

If you are closing because you are unhappy with customer service or have had fraud issues, contact Bank of America's customer relations team before you close. They may be able to resolve the problem or offer you something that makes you want to stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will closing my Bank of America account hurt my credit score?

Closing a checking or savings account does not affect your credit score because those accounts do not appear on your credit report. However, closing a credit card can lower your score slightly because it reduces your total available credit. If you are closing a credit card, do it after you have paid off the balance and after you have applied for any new credit you might need in the next few months.

What if I close my account and then need to access old statements?

Bank of America keeps records of closed accounts for seven years. Call 1-800-432-1000 and ask for statements from your closed account. They can email or mail them to you. You may need to verify your identity and provide the account number.

Can I reopen a Bank of America account I closed?

Yes, you can open a new account with Bank of America at any time, even if you closed one before. However, if your account was closed due to fraud or violation of their terms, they may deny you. If you closed it in good standing, opening a new account is straightforward and can be done online or at a branch.

Do I need to close my debit card when I close my checking account?

Your debit card will stop working automatically once your checking account closes, so you do not need to take separate action. However, if you want to destroy the card yourself for security reasons, you can cut it up or shred it. Do not throw it in the trash intact.

What if my paycheck is still being deposited after I close my account?

If a direct deposit arrives after your account is closed, Bank of America will return it to your employer marked "Account Closed." Your employer's payroll department will then contact you for a new account number. This is why it is important to update your direct deposit information before you close the account.