The basic steps to close your account

You can close a Bank of America checking account by calling their customer service line, visiting a branch in person, or using their online banking portal. The fastest route is usually a phone call to 1-800-432-1000, where a representative can walk you through the closure and answer questions about what happens to pending transactions or automatic payments. If you prefer to close it in person, bring a valid ID to any Bank of America branch and ask to speak with an account representative.

Before you close the account, make sure any automatic bill payments or direct deposits linked to it have been redirected to another account or cancelled. Bank of America will not automatically transfer these for you, and missed payments or lost deposits can create problems weeks after closure. Check your recent statements for any recurring charges or deposits you may have forgotten about.

Once you initiate closure, the account typically closes within one to three business days. Bank of America will send you a confirmation letter in the mail. Any remaining balance will be mailed to you as a check, or you can ask them to transfer it to another account you hold with the bank during the closure call.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-800-432-1000, visit a branch with your ID, or use online banking to close your account; phone is usually fastest.
  • Redirect or cancel any automatic bill payments and direct deposits before closing, because the bank will not move them for you.
  • Your remaining balance will be mailed as a check unless you ask the bank to transfer it to another account during the closure call.
  • The account closes within one to three business days, and you will receive a confirmation letter by mail.

What to do with automatic payments before closing

Any recurring charges tied to your checking account—insurance premiums, loan payments, subscription services, utility bills—will fail once the account closes. You need to update each one individually before you close the account. Log into your checking account and review the last two months of statements to find every recurring charge, then contact each company to change the payment method or account number.

For direct deposits like paychecks or government benefits, contact your employer's payroll department or the benefit administrator and provide them with your new account number. This usually takes one to two pay cycles to take effect, so do this at least a week before you plan to close the account. If you miss the window, your deposit will be rejected and returned to the sender, which can delay your money by several days.

Bank of America will not hold your account open while you sort this out. If you are unsure whether you have caught all the recurring charges, consider keeping the account open for an extra month after you have moved your main balance, then close it once you are certain nothing else is coming through.

How to handle your remaining balance

If you have money left in the account when you close it, Bank of America will mail you a check within five to seven business days. The check is sent to the address on file, so make sure your mailing address is current before you initiate closure. If you have moved recently and have not updated your address with the bank, the check may go to an old address and take longer to reach you.

Alternatively, you can ask the bank to transfer your remaining balance to another account during the closure call or visit. If you have another Bank of America account, this transfer is usually instant. If you want the money sent to an account at a different bank, the transfer may take one to three business days and will be processed as an ACH transfer.

Do not close the account until you have confirmed where the remaining balance will go. A lost or delayed check can leave you without access to that money for weeks.

Closing the account online versus in person

Bank of America's online banking portal does not have a direct "close account" button. Instead, you must call customer service or visit a branch. Some banks allow online closure, but Bank of America requires human verification to ensure you are not closing the account by mistake or due to fraud.

Closing by phone takes 10 to 15 minutes and you get immediate confirmation. You can ask questions about pending transactions, automatic payments, and where your remaining balance will go, all in one call. The representative will also ask why you are closing the account—this is standard and does not affect your ability to close it.

Closing in person at a branch takes longer if the branch is busy, but you walk out with a receipt and can ask the representative to print a summary of what will happen to your balance and any pending items. Choose whichever method fits your schedule.

What happens to pending transactions and checks

If you have written checks that have not yet cleared, or if you have pending transactions that have not posted, those will still go through after the account closes—as long as they clear within a few days. Bank of America keeps the account open long enough for these to process. However, if a check or transaction arrives after the account is fully closed, it will be rejected and returned to the sender marked "account closed."

This is why you should wait at least one week after closing before assuming all pending items have cleared. If you are worried about a specific check or transfer, call customer service before you close the account and ask them to confirm whether it has posted.

Debit card transactions that are still pending when you close the account will also be processed if they post within a few days. After that window, any new transactions will be declined.

Reasons Bank of America might refuse to close your account

Bank of America will not close an account if there is a negative balance (you owe the bank money). You must pay the overdraft or fee first. If you have a linked line of credit or overdraft protection, the bank may ask you to close those as well before closing the checking account.

If the account is under investigation for fraud or suspicious activity, the bank may freeze it and prevent closure until the investigation is complete. This is rare, but if it happens, you will be notified by mail or phone. You can still call customer service to ask about the status.

If you have a mortgage, auto loan, or other product with Bank of America and your checking account is linked to automatic payments for that loan, the bank may ask you to set up a different payment method before closing. This is to protect you from accidentally missing a loan payment.

After your account is closed

Once the account is closed, you will no longer be able to use your debit card, write checks, or access online banking for that account. The card will stop working immediately. If you have a safety deposit box or other services tied to this account, contact the bank to confirm those are not affected.

Bank of America will keep records of the closed account for your tax and legal records. If you need a statement or transaction history after closure, you can request it by calling customer service or visiting a branch. There is no charge for this.

If you closed the account because of poor service or fees, consider whether a different Bank of America account type (like a basic checking account with no monthly fee) might work better before you leave the bank entirely. If you are switching banks, make sure your new bank's account is fully set up and working before you close your Bank of America account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my account if I have a negative balance?

No. You must pay the overdraft amount and any associated fees before Bank of America will close the account. Once the balance is zero or positive, you can proceed with closure.

How long does it take to get my remaining balance after closing?

If the bank mails a check, it arrives within five to seven business days. If you ask for a transfer to another Bank of America account, it is instant. A transfer to a different bank takes one to three business days via ACH.

What if I close my account and then a bill payment bounces?

The payment will be rejected and returned to the biller. You will likely be charged a returned payment fee by the company you owe. This is why you must redirect all automatic payments before closing.

Can I reopen a closed Bank of America checking account?

Yes, but only within a limited time frame. Contact Bank of America to ask if your specific account can be reopened. If too much time has passed, you will need to open a new account instead.

Do I need to destroy my debit card after closing?

The card will stop working once the account closes, so it is not a security risk. You can throw it away or shred it. Bank of America does not require you to return it.