How to close a Bank of America account

You can close a Bank of America account by phone, in person at a branch, or through the mobile app. The fastest route is usually a phone call to the number on the back of your card or 800-432-1000. Bank of America will ask you to confirm your identity, verify there are no pending transactions, and move any remaining balance to another account or request a check. The account closes immediately after those steps are complete.

Before you call or visit, make sure your account balance is zero or that you have another account ready to receive the funds. If you have automatic payments or direct deposits set to this account, you'll need to update those with your employer or creditors first—otherwise payments will fail and you may face late fees.

Key Takeaways

  • You can close your account by phone at 800-432-1000, in a branch, or through the mobile app without visiting in person.
  • Your account balance must be zero before closure, so transfer or withdraw remaining funds and cancel any automatic payments linked to the account.
  • Bank of America will issue a check for any remaining balance if you don't have another account to transfer to, which takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive.
  • Update direct deposits and automatic bill payments with your employer and creditors before closing, or those transactions will fail.
  • If you have a credit card with Bank of America, closing a checking or savings account does not close the card—you must close it separately if you want to.

What to do before you close

Stop all automatic payments and direct deposits at least a week before closure. Log into your account and review the last three months of activity to find recurring charges. Common ones include gym memberships, subscription services, insurance premiums, and loan payments. Contact each company or use your employer's payroll system to redirect deposits to your new account.

Check your account balance and make sure it's zero. If there's money left, transfer it to another bank account you control, or ask Bank of America to mail you a check. Withdraw any cash you need from an ATM or teller. If you have checks linked to this account, stop using them immediately—checks can take weeks to clear, and if the account is closed, they will bounce.

If you have a Bank of America credit card, debit card, or line of credit, closing your checking or savings account will not close those products. You'll need to close them separately if that's what you want. Closing a credit card can affect your credit score, so think through whether you actually want to close it before you do.

Closing by phone

Call 800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your account. Have your account number ready—it's on your checks or in the mobile app. The representative will ask you to verify your identity by providing your Social Security number, date of birth, or answers to security questions you set up when you opened the account.

The representative will confirm your account balance is zero and ask what you want to do with any remaining funds. If you have another Bank of America account, they can transfer the balance immediately. If you bank elsewhere, provide the routing number and account number for the receiving bank, and the transfer usually posts within one to two business days. If you don't have another account ready, Bank of America will mail you a check, which takes 7 to 10 business days.

After the balance is handled, the account closes right away. You'll receive a confirmation number. Write it down. If you have pending transactions that haven't cleared yet, the representative may ask you to wait a few days before closing—ask them specifically how long to wait.

Closing in person at a branch

Visit any Bank of America branch with a valid photo ID. Tell the teller you want to close your account and provide your account number. They will verify your identity and check your balance. If the balance is not zero, you can withdraw cash on the spot or transfer funds to another account right there.

The teller will print a closure confirmation for you. Keep this receipt. If you have pending checks or automatic payments that haven't cleared, ask the teller how many days you should wait before closing. Some branches can close the account immediately; others may ask you to return after a few business days to make sure nothing else is pending.

Closing through the mobile app

Open the Bank of America mobile app and go to the account settings for the account you want to close. Look for "Close Account" or "Account Services" and select the option to close. The app will walk you through confirming your identity and checking your balance. You can transfer remaining funds to another Bank of America account directly through the app.

If you need to transfer money to a bank outside Bank of America, you'll have to do that separately before closing, or request a check through the app. The app will give you a confirmation number when the closure is complete. This method is fastest if your balance is already zero and you don't have pending transactions.

What happens after closure

Your account is closed immediately, but it may take a few days for the closure to show up in your records. Any checks you wrote that haven't cleared yet will bounce. Any automatic payments scheduled for this account will fail. If you set up a new account and forgot to update a payment, contact that company right away to avoid a late fee.

Bank of America will keep a record of your closed account for your own reference. If you need a statement from the closed account later, you can request it through the mobile app or by calling 800-432-1000. The bank keeps records for at least seven years.

If you had a debit card linked to this account, it will stop working immediately. Destroy it or contact Bank of America to have it deactivated. If you had overdraft protection linked to another account, that link is severed when you close the account.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but only within a short window. If you closed the account in the last 30 days, you can reopen it by visiting a branch or calling 800-432-1000. After 30 days, the account is permanently closed and you'll have to open a new account instead, which may involve a new application and a hard inquiry on your credit report.

What if I have pending checks that haven't cleared yet?

Wait until those checks clear before closing the account. Call the bank and ask how long to wait, or check your transaction history in the app to see when checks typically post. If you close before they clear, they will bounce and the person who wrote the check will face a fee.

Do I lose my transaction history when I close the account?

No. Bank of America keeps records of closed accounts for at least seven years. You can request statements or transaction history by calling 800-432-1000 or through the mobile app, even after the account is closed. You won't be able to see it in your app after closure, but the bank has it.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

Closing a checking or savings account does not affect your credit score. Only credit products like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit show up on your credit report. If you're also closing a credit card, that can affect your score, but closing a bank account alone will not.

What if I have a negative balance or owe the bank money?

You cannot close the account until the negative balance is paid. Contact Bank of America to find out how much you owe and how to pay it. Once the balance is zero, you can proceed with closure. If you don't pay, the bank may pursue collection or report it to ChexSystems, which can make it harder to open accounts at other banks.