Yes, you can close most Bank of America accounts online through your digital banking portal

Bank of America lets you close checking and savings accounts through their website or mobile app without calling or visiting a branch. The process takes a few minutes: you log in, navigate to account settings, and submit a closure request. The bank will then close the account within one to three business days, though the exact timeline depends on whether you have pending transactions or outstanding checks.

Not every account type can be closed online. Money Market accounts, CDs (certificates of deposit), and credit card accounts require a phone call to close. If you have a mortgage, home equity line of credit, or investment account through Bank of America, those also need to be handled by phone or in person. Before you close anything, make sure you have zero balance in the account—the bank will not close an account with money still in it.

Key Takeaways

  • Checking and savings accounts close online through your Bank of America login, but money market accounts, CDs, and credit cards do not.
  • Your account must have a zero balance before closure; transfer or withdraw all remaining funds first.
  • Closure takes one to three business days, and you should stop using the account immediately after submitting your request.
  • If you have direct deposits or automatic payments set up, change those to a different account before closing to avoid failed transactions.
  • Call 1-800-432-1000 if your account type is not available for online closure or if you run into errors during the process.

Steps to close your account through the Bank of America website

Log into your Bank of America account on their website or open the mobile app. Navigate to the account you want to close and look for the settings or account options menu—this is usually represented by a gear icon or three horizontal lines. Select "Close Account" or "Account Closure" from the menu.

The system will ask you to confirm that your account balance is zero and that you understand the account will be closed. You may also see a prompt asking why you are closing the account; this is optional feedback. Review the closure terms, then submit your request. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and via email within a few minutes.

Do not use the account after you submit the closure request. Any transactions you attempt may fail or be rejected because the account is in the process of closing. If you have pending checks or transfers that have not yet cleared, wait for those to complete before closing.

What to do before you close your account

Transfer or withdraw all money from the account first. Bank of America will not close an account with any balance remaining, even if it is a few cents. If you have a small amount left over, transfer it to another account or withdraw it at an ATM or branch.

Stop any automatic payments or recurring charges that are linked to this account. Log into each service (utilities, subscriptions, insurance, loan payments) and update the payment method to a different account or card. This prevents failed payments that could result in late fees or service interruptions.

If you receive direct deposits to this account, update your employer or the organization sending the deposit with your new account number. This usually takes one to two pay cycles to take effect, so make the change as soon as you decide to close the account. Similarly, if you have set up bill pay through this account, redirect those payments to your new account.

Review your recent statements to make sure all checks have cleared. If you wrote checks that have not yet been deposited, wait until they clear before closing the account. Closing an account with outstanding checks can cause those checks to bounce.

What happens after you submit your closure request

Bank of America will send you a confirmation email with your closure request number. Keep this for your records. The account will close within one to three business days. You will no longer be able to log into that account or use any debit card associated with it.

If you have overdraft protection linked to this account, that protection will end when the account closes. If you have a linked savings account that was being used as backup for overdrafts, that link will be removed.

Any pending transactions that were in progress when you submitted the closure request may still post to the account after it officially closes. If this happens, Bank of America will hold the funds and contact you about how to retrieve them. This is rare but can occur if a transaction was authorized before closure but did not post until after.

Account types that require a phone call to close

Money Market accounts, CDs, and credit cards cannot be closed online. Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 to close these accounts. For credit cards, you can also request closure through the credit card customer service number on the back of your card.

If you have a CD that has not yet reached maturity, the bank may charge an early withdrawal penalty when you close it. Ask about the penalty amount before you proceed. Some CDs allow penalty-free closure if you are within a certain window before maturity; the representative can tell you whether yours qualifies.

Mortgages, home equity lines of credit, and investment accounts must be closed in person at a branch or by phone. These require more documentation and verification than simple deposit accounts.

If you cannot close your account online

If you log in and do not see a closure option, or if you receive an error message when you try to submit your request, your account type may not be available for online closure. Call 1-800-432-1000 and explain which account you want to close. A representative can close it over the phone or tell you whether you need to visit a branch.

If your account has a negative balance (you owe the bank money), you cannot close it until that balance is paid. The bank will tell you the amount owed and how to pay it. Once paid, you can proceed with closure.

Some accounts may be flagged for review if there has been recent suspicious activity or if the account has been inactive for a long time. In these cases, the bank may require you to close the account by phone or in person to verify your identity.

What to keep after your account closes

Save your closure confirmation number and email for at least one year. If there are any disputes about the closure or if funds are returned to you after the account closes, you will need this documentation.

Request a final statement from Bank of America. You can download this through your online banking portal before the account closes, or call to request one be mailed to you. Keep this statement for tax and record-keeping purposes, especially if you had interest income or investment activity in the account.

If you had a debit card linked to this account, destroy it or cut it up. Do not throw it away intact, as the card number could be recovered. Bank of America will deactivate the card when the account closes, but physically destroying it is an extra precaution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

Closing a checking or savings account does not affect your credit score because these accounts do not report to credit bureaus. Closing a credit card account can have a small impact on your credit score because it reduces your total available credit, but the effect is usually temporary and minor.

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

Download or request your statements before you close the account. After closure, you can still contact Bank of America to request copies of old statements, but it may take longer and you may need to verify your identity. Keeping digital copies before closure is faster and easier.

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

Yes, you can open a new account with Bank of America at any time after closure. However, if your account was closed due to fraud or policy violations, the bank may decline to open a new account for you. Standard closures do not prevent you from banking with them again.

What if I have a pending check that has not cleared when I close my account?

Wait until the check clears before closing the account. If you close the account with an outstanding check, that check may bounce when it is deposited. If this happens, the person who received the check may charge you a returned check fee, and you could face legal consequences depending on the amount and circumstances.

Do I need to close my account in person if I have a joint account?

If the account is joint, both account holders must agree to close it. You can close a joint checking or savings account online if both owners have access to the account and can submit the request together, or one owner can submit the request and the other can approve it. If there is disagreement between owners, you will need to visit a branch or call to resolve it.