Yes, you can close a Bank of America checking account online through your account settings, but the process has limits depending on your account balance and linked services.
Bank of America lets you close a checking account through their website or mobile app without calling or visiting a branch. You log in, navigate to your account settings, and request closure. The bank processes the request and sends any remaining balance to you by check or transfer within five to seven business days.
The catch: you cannot close the account online if you have an outstanding balance (money you owe the bank), if the account is overdrawn, or if you have pending transactions still processing. You also cannot close it online if you have a linked credit card, mortgage, or other product that requires the checking account to stay open. In those cases, you will need to call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 or visit a branch in person.
Key Takeaways
- You can close a Bank of America checking account online through the mobile app or website if the account has a zero or positive balance and no pending transactions.
- If your account is overdrawn or has money owed to the bank, you must pay it off before closure or close the account by phone or in person.
- Linked products like credit cards, mortgages, or lines of credit tied to the checking account may prevent online closure.
- Any remaining balance will be mailed to you as a check or transferred to another account you specify, taking five to seven business days to arrive.
- After closure, the account number becomes inactive and cannot be reused for direct deposits or automatic payments.
Steps to close your account online
Log into your Bank of America account through the website or the mobile app. On the website, go to Settings (usually in the top right corner), then select Account Settings. In the mobile app, tap the menu icon, then Settings, then Account Settings.
Find the checking account you want to close and look for an option labeled "Close Account" or "Account Services." Click or tap it. Bank of America will show you a summary of the account, including the current balance and any pending items. Review this carefully—if there are pending transactions, wait for them to clear before attempting closure again.
Confirm that you want to close the account. The bank will ask how you want to receive your remaining balance: by check mailed to your address on file, or by transfer to another bank account. If you choose transfer, provide the routing number and account number of the receiving bank. Submit the request. You will receive a confirmation message on screen and by email.
When you cannot close online and must call or visit
If your account has a negative balance (you owe the bank money), you cannot close it online. Pay the full amount owed first, either through a transfer from another account, a debit card payment, or a check deposit. Once the balance reaches zero, you can proceed with online closure.
If you have a credit card, home equity line of credit, mortgage, auto loan, or investment account linked to this checking account, the online closure option may be blocked. Bank of America sometimes requires these products to remain connected to an active checking account. Call 1-800-432-1000 to ask whether the linked product can be moved to a different account or closed separately before you close the checking account.
If you have pending direct deposits, automatic bill payments, or transfers scheduled, wait for them to process before closing. Pending items can delay or block the closure request. Check your recent transactions and upcoming scheduled payments in the Transfers & Payments section of your account.
What happens to your money after closure
Any balance remaining in the account will be sent to you. If you chose check delivery, Bank of America mails it to the address on file. Checks typically arrive within five to seven business days but can take longer depending on mail delivery. If you chose transfer to another bank, the funds move to that account within the same timeframe.
Do not close the account if you are expecting a direct deposit, tax refund, or other incoming payment. Those deposits will be rejected if the account is closed, and you will have to contact the sender to reroute the payment. If a deposit arrives after closure, the bank will return it to the sender.
What to do before closing
Update your direct deposit with your employer or benefit provider at least two weeks before closure. Provide them with your new bank account information if you have one, or ask them to pause deposits until you set up a new account elsewhere.
Review your scheduled automatic payments—utility bills, insurance, subscriptions, loan payments. Change the payment method on each one to a different bank account or credit card. Do this at least one week before closure to avoid missed payments or failed transactions.
Check for any outstanding checks you have written. If you wrote a check that has not yet cleared, wait for it to process before closing the account. You can view cleared checks in your transaction history.
Download or print your account statements if you need them for tax records, proof of income, or other documentation. Bank of America keeps statements available online for a limited time after closure, but it is safer to save them yourself.
After the account is closed
Once closed, the account number becomes inactive. You cannot reuse it, and any future attempts to deposit money to that account will fail. If you have old checks printed with that account number, destroy them or mark them as void.
The account will no longer appear in your Bank of America login. If you have other accounts with the bank, those remain open and unaffected. Your credit report will not be harmed by closing a checking account.
If you need to dispute a transaction or access records from the closed account, contact Bank of America within 60 days of closure. After that window, the bank has limited ability to investigate or provide documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to close a Bank of America checking account online?
The closure request is processed immediately, and you receive confirmation by email. However, if the account has a balance, it takes five to seven business days for the bank to send you the money by check or transfer. The account is considered closed once the request is submitted, even if you are still waiting for your balance.
Can I reopen a Bank of America checking account after closing it?
Yes, you can open a new checking account with Bank of America at any time. However, you cannot reactivate the closed account—it is permanently closed. You will need to open a new account with a new account number.
What if I close my account but still have pending transactions?
Pending transactions must clear before closure. If you submit a closure request and transactions are still pending, the bank will delay processing the closure until those items clear. Check your account a few days later and try again.
Will closing my checking account affect my credit score?
No. Closing a checking account does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. Credit reports track credit accounts like credit cards and loans, not deposit accounts.
What if I forgot to update my direct deposit before closing?
Contact your employer or benefit provider immediately with your new bank account information. They can reroute future deposits. If a deposit was rejected because the account was closed, ask the sender to resubmit it to your new account.