The basic steps to close a Bank of America account
You can close a Bank of America account by calling their customer service line, visiting a branch in person, or using their online banking platform. The fastest route is usually a phone call to the number on the back of your debit card or the customer service number listed on your account statements — they can walk you through the process and answer questions about what happens to your remaining balance and any pending transactions.
Before you close, make sure you have a zero balance or arrange to withdraw your money. Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding balance. If you have automatic payments or direct deposits set up, you'll need to redirect those to another account or cancel them first, or they may fail after closure.
The actual closure takes a few minutes on the phone or in person, but the account may remain visible in your online banking for several days as it processes. Any checks you've written that haven't cleared yet will still go through, so keep track of those dates.
Key Takeaways
- Call Bank of America customer service, visit a branch, or use online banking to start the closure process — phone is usually fastest.
- Your account must have a zero balance before Bank of America will close it; withdraw or transfer any remaining funds first.
- Stop or redirect automatic payments and direct deposits before closing, or they will fail after the account is closed.
- Outstanding checks may still clear after closure, so track any checks you've written and their expected clearing dates.
- The account closure is immediate, but the account may show in your online banking for several days while it processes.
What to do with money still in the account
If you have funds remaining, you have three options: withdraw cash at a Bank of America ATM or branch, transfer the money to another bank account, or request a cashier's check. Most people transfer to their new bank account electronically, which takes one to three business days depending on the receiving bank.
If you have a savings account linked to the checking account you're closing, the money stays in the savings account — closing one account does not close the other. Make sure you know which account holds what before you start the closure process.
Stopping automatic payments and direct deposits
Any recurring bill payments or automatic transfers set up through your Bank of America account will fail once the account closes. You need to update these with your new bank account information or cancel them entirely before closure.
For direct deposits (paychecks, benefits, tax refunds), contact your employer or the organization sending the deposit and provide your new account number and routing number. This usually takes one pay cycle to take effect, so do this at least a week before you close the account.
For automatic bill payments, log into each biller's website separately and update your payment method. Do not rely on Bank of America to notify them — you are responsible for redirecting these payments.
Handling checks that haven't cleared yet
If you've written checks that the recipient hasn't deposited yet, those checks will still clear against your closed account if the funds are available. Bank of America will honor them as long as there is money in the account at the time of clearing.
Before you close, make a list of any checks you've written in the last two weeks and note the amounts and dates. If a check clears after closure and there are no funds, Bank of America may charge a non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee, and the check will bounce. The recipient can then pursue collection from you directly.
Closing the account over the phone
Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your statement. Have your account number and a form of identification ready. The representative will confirm your identity, verify that your balance is zero, and ask why you're closing (this is optional to answer). They will then process the closure immediately.
Ask the representative for a confirmation number and note the date and time of the call. Request that they email or mail you written confirmation of the closure. This protects you if there are any disputes later about whether the account was actually closed.
Closing the account in person at a branch
Bring a valid government-issued ID and your debit card or account number to any Bank of America branch. Tell the teller you want to close the account. They will verify your balance, process the closure, and give you a receipt with a confirmation number.
In-person closure is useful if you want to withdraw cash at the same time or if you have questions about linked accounts or pending transactions. The teller can also print a statement showing the final balance and closure date.
What happens after you close
Once closed, you cannot use the debit card or make transactions on that account. The account number becomes inactive and cannot be reused. If you have overdraft protection linked to another account, that protection ends.
Bank of America will continue to send statements for 30 to 60 days after closure to show any final transactions or fees. Keep these statements for your records. If you need to dispute a transaction or check on a final charge, you have a limited window to contact Bank of America — usually 60 days from the statement date.
If you later realize you need access to old statements or transaction history, you can request these from Bank of America even after the account is closed. They keep records for seven years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my account if I have a negative balance?
No. Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding balance, whether positive or negative. If your account is overdrawn, you must deposit funds to bring it to zero before closure. If you refuse to pay the overdraft, Bank of America may close it themselves and refer the debt to collections.
What if I have a credit card with Bank of America — does closing my checking account affect it?
No. Closing a checking account does not close a credit card or savings account. Each account is separate. However, if you have automatic payments set up from the checking account to pay your credit card bill, you will need to update that payment method before closure or the payment will fail.
How long does it take for my account to fully close?
The closure itself is immediate — you cannot use the account after the call or visit ends. However, the account may appear in your online banking for three to five business days while it processes. Any pending transactions may still post during this time. After that window, the account is fully closed and removed from your profile.
Can I reopen a closed Bank of America account?
Bank of America does not reopen closed accounts. If you want to bank with them again, you must open a new account. This is treated as a new application, and they will pull your credit report and check ChexSystems (a banking history database). If you closed due to overdrafts or fraud, reopening may be denied.
What if Bank of America won't let me close my account?
Bank of America can refuse to close an account if there is an outstanding balance, pending disputes, or fraud investigation. If they refuse, ask for the reason in writing. If you believe the refusal is unfair, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or your state's banking regulator.