Bank of America does not charge a fee to close a checking account

You can close your Bank of America checking account at any time without paying a closure fee. The bank does not impose penalties for closing accounts, whether you do it online, by phone, or in person at a branch.

What matters more than the closure itself is the timing: if you close an account while it still has a negative balance, you will owe that amount. If you have pending transactions or automatic payments set to that account, they may fail or bounce after closure. The account closure process itself is free, but the consequences of closing at the wrong moment can cost you.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America charges no fee to close a checking account, but you must settle any negative balance before or at the time of closure.
  • Pending transactions and automatic bill payments linked to the account may fail after you close it, potentially triggering overdraft or late-payment fees elsewhere.
  • You can close an account online through your Bank of America login, by calling customer service at 1-800-432-1000, or by visiting a branch in person.
  • If the account goes negative after closure, Bank of America will pursue collection, and the debt may be reported to credit bureaus.

What happens to a negative balance when you close

If your checking account has a negative balance at the time of closure, you remain responsible for paying it. Bank of America will not forgive the debt or waive collection simply because you closed the account. The bank will contact you by mail or phone to request payment, and if you do not pay, the account may be sent to a collection agency.

A negative balance reported to credit bureaus can lower your credit score and stay on your report for up to seven years. To avoid this, bring your account to zero or positive before you close it. If you cannot pay the full amount immediately, contact Bank of America customer service to discuss a payment arrangement.

How to close your account without triggering failed payments

Before you close, review all automatic payments and recurring charges tied to the account. This includes subscriptions, gym memberships, insurance premiums, loan payments, and bill-pay arrangements. Move these to another account at least one week before closure, or contact each provider to update your payment method.

Check your pending transactions as well. If you have recent purchases or transfers that have not yet posted, wait for them to clear before closing. Closing an account with pending transactions can cause those payments to fail, which may result in overdraft fees from the merchant or late-payment penalties from the creditor.

Once you have moved all recurring payments and confirmed no pending transactions remain, you can proceed with closure. The actual closing process takes minutes, but the preparation should take several days.

Three ways to close your Bank of America checking account

Online: Log into your Bank of America account, go to Settings, select Account Services, and choose Close Account. Follow the prompts to confirm. This method works only if your account is in good standing and has a zero or positive balance. If the account is overdrawn or flagged, you will need to call or visit a branch.

By phone: Call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000. Have your account number and Social Security number ready. A representative will verify your identity, confirm you want to close, and process the closure. This typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. If you have a negative balance, the representative will explain your options for payment.

In person: Visit any Bank of America branch with a photo ID and your account number. A banker can close the account on the spot. This is the best option if you have questions about your balance, pending transactions, or linked accounts. Bring any debit cards associated with the account so the banker can note that they should be destroyed.

What happens to your debit card and checks after closure

Your Bank of America debit card will stop working immediately or within one business day of closure. You do not need to do anything—the card will simply decline at checkout. If you have checks linked to the account, they will also stop working. Any checks you have already written but not yet deposited will bounce if presented after closure.

If you have outstanding checks you expect to clear, wait to close the account until they have posted. If you have written checks that you know are still in circulation, contact the payee to ask them to hold or cancel the check. Bounced checks can result in fees from both your bank and the recipient's bank.

What to do if you closed your account and money is still owed

If you discover after closure that your account was negative or that a transaction failed, contact Bank of America immediately. Call 1-800-432-1000 and explain the situation. The bank may be able to reverse a recent closure if the account is still within a grace period, or it can set up a payment plan for the negative balance.

If Bank of America has already sent your account to collections, you can still negotiate directly with the collection agency or with Bank of America's collections department. Request a written settlement offer before you pay anything. Do not ignore collection notices—doing so will damage your credit and may result in a lawsuit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my Bank of America checking account if it has a negative balance?

You can request closure, but Bank of America will not process it until the negative balance is resolved. You must pay the amount owed before or at the time of closure. If you cannot pay in full, call customer service to discuss payment options.

How long does it take for a Bank of America checking account to fully close?

The closure itself is immediate—your account stops working right away. However, it can take 5 to 10 business days for all pending transactions to clear and for the account to be removed from the system entirely. During this time, do not attempt to use the account.

What if I closed my account and a check I wrote bounces?

You are responsible for the bounced check fee, which Bank of America charges to the recipient's bank. The recipient may also charge you a returned-check fee. Contact the payee and offer to pay the check amount plus fees. If you wrote the check before closure, you should have waited for it to clear.

Can I reopen a Bank of America checking account I just closed?

Yes, you can open a new account, but it will have a different account number. If you closed the account in good standing with no negative balance, reopening is straightforward. If the account was closed with debt, you may need to settle that debt first before the bank will open a new account for you.

Does closing a Bank of America checking account hurt my credit score?

Closing the account itself does not hurt your credit. However, if the account had a negative balance that went to collections, that will damage your credit. Closing an account in good standing has no credit impact.