You can close most Bank of America accounts through their website or mobile app without calling
Bank of America lets you close checking, savings, and money market accounts online through their website or mobile app. The process takes a few minutes if your account has a zero balance and no outstanding transactions. If you have a balance, you'll need to move or withdraw the money first. Some account types—like investment accounts or credit cards—require different closure methods, which we cover below.
Before you start, make sure you've redirected any automatic deposits or payments tied to the account. If you close an account while direct deposits or bill payments are still active, those transactions will fail and may trigger overdraft fees or missed payment penalties on other accounts.
Key Takeaways
- You must have a zero balance in the account before Bank of America will close it online; withdraw or transfer any remaining money first.
- Stop all automatic deposits, bill payments, and recurring transfers linked to the account at least a few days before closure.
- Closing an account online through the website or app takes effect immediately, but check your statement a few days later to confirm.
- Credit cards and investment accounts cannot be closed through the same online process and require a phone call to the appropriate department.
- Keep your account number and final statement for your records, especially if you have pending transactions or disputes.
Steps to close your account through the website
Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com. Go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right), then select Account Settings. Look for the account you want to close and click on it. You should see a "Close Account" or "Close This Account" option in the menu.
Click that option and Bank of America will ask you to confirm the account has a zero balance. If it does, you'll be asked to select a reason for closure (optional) and then confirm the closure. The account closes immediately after confirmation. You'll receive an email confirmation with your final account details.
If you don't see a "Close Account" option, the account may have a balance, pending transactions, or holds that prevent online closure. In that case, you'll need to call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 to close it by phone.
Steps to close your account through the mobile app
Open the Bank of America mobile app and sign in. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Select Settings, then Account Settings. Find the account you want to close and tap on it.
Look for "Close Account" or similar language in the account menu. Tap it, confirm the balance is zero, and then confirm the closure. You'll get an email confirmation right away. The process is identical to the website method—the app just uses a different navigation path.
What to do with your money before closing
If your account has a balance, you must move or withdraw it before closure. You can transfer money to another Bank of America account you own, to an external bank account, or withdraw it in cash at a branch or ATM.
To transfer to another account online, go to Transfers in your account menu, select the account you're closing as the source, and enter the destination account and amount. The transfer usually completes within one business day. If you're transferring to a non-Bank of America account, the transfer may take two to three business days depending on the receiving bank.
If you have a small balance and want to close quickly, withdrawing cash at an ATM or branch is faster than waiting for a transfer to clear.
Stopping automatic payments and deposits before you close
Any automatic deposits (like paychecks or government benefits) or bill payments set up on the account will fail once it closes. This can result in missed payments, overdraft fees on other accounts, or delayed receipt of income.
Before closing, log into each service that sends money to or pulls money from the account—your employer's payroll system, your benefits provider, your utility companies, your insurance companies, loan servicers, or subscription services. Update the payment method or deposit account to a different bank account at least three to five business days before you close.
If you forget to redirect a payment and it fails after closure, contact the company immediately to resubmit it to your new account. If a bill payment bounces, call the creditor to explain and ask them to waive any late fees.
Closing credit cards and investment accounts
Bank of America credit cards cannot be closed through the online account closure process. To close a credit card, call the number on the back of your card or call 1-800-432-1000 and ask for the credit card department. Have your card number ready. The representative will confirm your identity and close the card. Request written confirmation by mail.
Investment accounts (including Merrill Edge brokerage accounts) also require a phone call. Call 1-800-432-1000 and ask for the investment services department. You may need to liquidate holdings before closure, depending on the account type. The representative will walk you through the process.
What happens after you close your account
Your account closes immediately after you confirm online. Bank of America will send you an email confirmation within minutes. Your debit card linked to that account will stop working right away, so destroy it or wait for it to expire.
Check your email for the confirmation and keep it for your records. Bank of America will mail you a final statement showing the account closure date and any remaining balance (which should be zero). This usually arrives within one to two weeks.
If you notice any unauthorized transactions or charges after closure, contact Bank of America within 60 days. Keep your confirmation email and final statement as proof of the closure date in case you need to dispute something.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I close my account and then need to access old statements?
Bank of America keeps closed account statements available online for seven years after closure. You can log into your account and view them in the Documents section even after the account is closed. Download and save any statements you need before closing, just to be safe.
Can I reopen a Bank of America account I just closed?
Yes, you can reopen a closed account within a certain timeframe, though Bank of America's exact policy varies. Call 1-800-432-1000 and ask whether your account can be reopened. If too much time has passed, you can open a new account instead.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a checking or savings account does not affect your credit score because these accounts don't appear on your credit report. Closing a credit card can lower your score slightly by reducing your available credit, but the impact is usually small and temporary.
What if my account has a negative balance or outstanding fees?
You cannot close an account with a negative balance online. You'll need to call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 to discuss the balance and any fees owed. The representative may require you to pay the amount before closure.
Do I need to close my account in person at a branch?
No. Bank of America allows online closure for most accounts, and you don't need to visit a branch. If online closure isn't available for your account type, a phone call to 1-800-432-1000 is the next step—you still don't need to go in person.