Yes, you can close your Bank of America checking account online through the mobile app or website
Bank of America lets you close a checking account without visiting a branch or calling customer service. You can do it through the BofA mobile app or on their website, though the exact steps depend on which platform you use and whether your account has any outstanding issues.
The process is straightforward if your account is in good standing — meaning you have no pending transactions, no negative balance, and no fraud holds. If your account has complications, you may need to resolve those first or contact BofA directly.
Key Takeaways
- You can close a Bank of America checking account through the mobile app or website without visiting a branch.
- Your account must have a zero balance and no pending transactions before you can close it online.
- If you have a negative balance, outstanding checks, or fraud holds, you will need to resolve those issues first.
- After you close the account, BofA will mail you a final statement within 30 days.
- If online closure does not work, you can call BofA at 1-800-432-1000 or visit a branch in person.
Steps to close your account through the mobile app
Open the Bank of America mobile app and log in. Tap the account you want to close, then look for the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Select "Account Services" or "Manage Account," then scroll down to find "Close Account" or "Account Closure."
The app will ask you to confirm that your balance is zero and that you have no pending transactions. If both are true, you can proceed. BofA will ask why you are closing the account — this is optional information, but providing it can help them improve their service. After you confirm, the account will close immediately.
If the "Close Account" option does not appear, your account may have a balance, pending transactions, or a hold that prevents online closure. In that case, you will need to resolve the issue first or contact BofA directly.
Steps to close your account on the BofA website
Log into your Bank of America account on their website. Click on the checking account you want to close. Look for "Account Services" or a settings menu, then find "Close Account" or "Account Closure."
The website will confirm that your balance is zero and ask whether you have any pending transactions. If you do, you must wait for them to clear before you can close the account. Once you confirm, the account closes immediately, and you will receive a confirmation email.
What you need to do before closing your account
Bring your checking account balance to exactly zero. If you have money in the account, you can transfer it to another bank account or withdraw it in cash. If you owe money (negative balance), you must pay it back before you can close the account.
Wait for all pending transactions to clear. If you have written checks that have not been cashed yet, wait until they clear or contact the recipients to cancel them. If you have pending debit card charges or automatic payments, wait for those to process. Pending transactions can take three to five business days to clear.
Remove any holds or fraud blocks. If BofA has placed a hold on your account due to suspicious activity or a dispute, you must resolve that first. Call BofA at 1-800-432-1000 to ask about any holds and how to remove them.
Cancel automatic payments and recurring charges. If you have set up automatic bill payments or subscription charges on this account, cancel them before closing. You can do this through the BofA website or app by going to "Bill Pay" or "Transfers."
What happens after you close your account
Your account closes immediately after you confirm the closure online. You will no longer be able to use your debit card, and any automatic payments linked to this account will fail. If you have checks printed for this account, they will be rejected.
BofA will mail you a final statement within 30 days showing all activity up to the closure date. Keep this statement for your records. If you need a copy of statements from before the closure, you can download them from the BofA website or app before you close the account.
If you had a debit card linked to this account, it will stop working. If you have other Bank of America accounts, your other cards will continue to work normally.
When you cannot close your account online
If the "Close Account" option does not appear in your app or on the website, one of these issues is likely blocking the closure: your balance is not zero, you have pending transactions, there is a fraud hold or dispute on the account, or you have an outstanding loan or credit product linked to the account.
You can also call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 to close your account over the phone. A representative can help you resolve any issues preventing online closure and can close the account for you. You can also visit a Bank of America branch in person with your ID and ask a banker to close the account.
If you are closing the account because of a problem with BofA's service or fees, you may want to ask about other account types before you close. Some accounts have lower fees or different features that might work better for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my checking account hurt my credit score?
Closing a checking account does not directly affect your credit score because checking accounts do not appear on your credit report. However, if you have overdraft fees or unpaid balances that go to collections, those can harm your credit. Pay any outstanding balance before you close.
What if I have a pending direct deposit that has not hit yet?
Wait for the direct deposit to process before you close the account. If you close before it arrives, the deposit may be rejected and returned to your employer. Contact your employer's payroll department to update your banking information if you are switching banks.
Can I reopen a Bank of America checking account after I close it?
Yes, you can open a new Bank of America checking account at any time. However, if you closed the account due to a negative balance or fraud, BofA may review your history before approving a new account. There is no waiting period to reopen.
Do I need to close my savings account if I am closing my checking account?
No. Checking and savings accounts are separate. You can close one without closing the other. If you want to keep your savings account open, you can do that.
What if I forgot to cancel a recurring payment before closing?
The payment will fail and be rejected by the merchant. Contact the merchant or service provider to update your payment method or cancel the subscription. They may charge you a fee if the payment fails, so update your information as soon as possible.