Whether Bank of America will reopen your account depends on why it closed

Bank of America can reopen a closed account in some cases, but not all. If you closed it yourself and the account has been closed for fewer than 90 days, you have the best chance. If Bank of America closed it due to inactivity, a negative balance, or suspected fraud, reopening is harder and may require you to wait or resolve the underlying issue first.

The bank does not automatically reopen accounts. You have to contact them and ask. Even then, they may refuse if the account was closed for fraud, if you owe money on it, or if too much time has passed. Understanding which category your account falls into will tell you whether to expect a yes or a no.

Key Takeaways

  • Accounts you closed yourself within the last 90 days can usually be reopened by calling Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 or visiting a branch in person.
  • If Bank of America closed your account for inactivity, you may need to wait 90 days before reopening, or the bank may reopen it immediately if you bring in a deposit.
  • Accounts closed due to fraud, negative balance, or violation of account terms are harder to reopen and may require you to wait six months to a year.
  • The bank will check your ChexSystems and Early Warning Services records before deciding, so disputes or unpaid balances on your record will block reopening.
  • If Bank of America refuses to reopen your account, you can open a new account with them or switch to another bank.

Accounts you closed yourself within 90 days

If you initiated the closure and the account has been closed for fewer than 90 days, Bank of America will usually reopen it without much friction. Call the customer service number on the back of any Bank of America card you still have, or call 1-800-432-1000. Have your Social Security number and the account number ready if you remember it.

You can also walk into any Bank of America branch with a photo ID and ask to reopen the account. The teller can often do this on the spot. If the account was closed very recently—within a few days—the process is fastest in person, because the branch can see the closure in their system immediately and reverse it without a waiting period.

Accounts Bank of America closed for inactivity

Bank of America closes accounts that have had no deposits or withdrawals for 12 months or longer. If this happened to your account, the bank may reopen it, but the timeline depends on how long ago it closed. If fewer than 90 days have passed, call 1-800-432-1000 and ask for reinstatement. Bring a deposit with you if you visit a branch, because showing intent to use the account again can speed approval.

If more than 90 days have passed, Bank of America may require you to wait before reopening or may ask you to open a new account instead. Some branches will reopen an inactive account if you come in with a deposit and a valid ID, even after 90 days. The policy varies by branch, so calling ahead or visiting in person to ask is worth the time.

Accounts closed due to fraud, negative balance, or policy violation

If Bank of America closed your account because of suspected fraud, an unpaid negative balance, or violation of account terms (such as repeated overdrafts or suspicious activity), reopening is much harder. The bank will not reopen these accounts immediately, and in many cases will refuse altogether.

Check your records to see if you owe money on the account. If you do, pay it in full first—Bank of America will not reopen an account with an outstanding balance. If the closure was due to fraud or policy violation, you may have to wait six months to a year before the bank will even consider reopening. During that time, the closure will appear on your ChexSystems report, which other banks can see when you try to open accounts elsewhere.

What Bank of America checks before reopening

Before reopening any account, Bank of America pulls your ChexSystems report and checks Early Warning Services. These are banking history databases that track closed accounts, fraud, unpaid balances, and disputes. If your report shows you owe money to Bank of America or another bank, or if there is a fraud flag, the bank will likely deny the reopening request.

You can request your own ChexSystems report for free at www.chexsystems.com. If there are errors on it—such as a balance you already paid or a fraud claim you disputed—you can file a correction request. Fixing errors on your report before asking Bank of America to reopen the account improves your chances.

How to ask Bank of America to reopen your account

Call 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative that you want to reopen a closed account. Have your Social Security number ready and the account number if you know it. The representative will look up the account, see why it was closed, and tell you whether reopening is possible. If it is, they may be able to do it over the phone. If not, they will explain what needs to happen first—such as paying a balance or waiting a certain amount of time.

If you prefer to do this in person, visit a Bank of America branch with a photo ID and a recent piece of mail showing your address. Bring a deposit if possible, especially if the account was closed for inactivity. The branch representative can check your may be able to access and often reopen the account on the same day.

If Bank of America refuses to reopen your account

If the bank says no, ask why. The reason matters because it tells you whether to wait and try again later or to move on. If the reason is an unpaid balance, pay it and ask again in 30 days. If the reason is fraud or policy violation, you will likely have to wait at least six months before the bank will reconsider.

You have the right to open a new account with Bank of America even if they will not reopen the old one, as long as your ChexSystems report does not show an active fraud case or an unpaid balance owed to Bank of America. If you cannot open a new account with Bank of America, you can open one with another bank. Many banks are more lenient about past closures, especially if the closure was due to inactivity rather than fraud or debt.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take Bank of America to reopen a closed account?

If you closed the account yourself and it has been closed for fewer than 90 days, reopening can happen the same day you call or visit a branch. If the account was closed by the bank, reopening may take a few business days to a week, or it may not happen at all depending on the reason for closure.

Will I lose my old debit card number if I reopen my account?

Yes. When an account is closed, the debit card number is deactivated. If the account is reopened, you will receive a new debit card with a new number. The old card will not work, even if the account is reopened.

Can I reopen a Bank of America account if I owe money on it?

No. You must pay any outstanding balance in full before Bank of America will reopen the account. If you cannot pay the full amount, contact the bank to ask about a payment plan, though the bank is not required to offer one.

What if I do not remember my account number?

Call 1-800-432-1000 with your Social Security number and the phone number or address associated with the account. The representative can look it up. If you visit a branch in person, bring a photo ID and any old statements or checks you have.

Can I open a new account with Bank of America if they will not reopen my old one?

Usually yes, unless your ChexSystems report shows an active fraud case or an unpaid balance owed to Bank of America. If you are unsure, call 1-800-432-1000 and ask whether you are may be able to access to open a new account.