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 the mobile app. The process takes a few minutes and you do not need to visit a branch or speak to anyone. You will need to transfer or withdraw any remaining balance first, and the account closes within one to three business days after you submit the request.
If you have a credit card, investment account, or mortgage with Bank of America, those close through different processes — this guide covers deposit accounts only. If you have pending transactions or a negative balance, Bank of America will not let you close the account until those are resolved.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your Bank of America account online or through the mobile app, then navigate to Settings to find the close account option.
- You must move or withdraw all money from the account before closing — Bank of America will not close an account with a balance.
- If your account is overdrawn or has pending transactions, you will need to resolve those first.
- The account closes within one to three business days after you submit the request, and you will receive a confirmation email.
- Keep your account open for at least 10 days after closing if you are waiting for direct deposits or checks to clear.
Steps to close your account through the website
Go to bankofamerica.com and sign in with your username and password. Click on your profile icon or menu button in the top right corner, then select Settings or Preferences. Look for an option labeled "Close Account" or "Manage Accounts" — the exact wording varies depending on your account type.
Select the account you want to close from the list. Bank of America will show you the current balance and ask you to confirm that the account is empty. If there is money in the account, you will see a message telling you to transfer or withdraw the funds first. Once the balance is zero, click the button to request closure and confirm your choice.
You will receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. The account will be marked as closed in your profile, and the closure becomes final within one to three business days. After that, you will no longer be able to use the debit card or access the account online.
Closing an 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 of the screen. Scroll down and select Settings, then look for Account Services or Manage Accounts.
Find the account you want to close and tap on it. You will see an option to close the account — tap it and confirm that the balance is zero. The app will ask you to verify your choice one more time before submitting the request. You will receive a confirmation message on screen and an email confirmation shortly after.
What to do with money still in the account
Before you can close the account, you must move every dollar out. You have two options: transfer the money to another Bank of America account or an external bank account, or withdraw it as cash at a Bank of America branch or ATM.
To transfer to another account, use Bank of America's transfer tool in the same Settings menu where you close the account. You can send money to any account you own at Bank of America instantly. To send money to an external bank, you will need the routing number and account number of the receiving bank — this transfer usually takes one to two business days.
If you prefer cash, visit any Bank of America branch or ATM and withdraw the full balance. Keep in mind that large withdrawals (usually over $10,000) may trigger a report to the IRS, though this does not affect your ability to close the account.
Resolving holds, overdrafts, and pending transactions
If your account is overdrawn — meaning you owe Bank of America money — you cannot close it until you pay the negative balance. Deposit funds to bring the account to zero or positive, then proceed with closure.
If there are pending transactions (checks you wrote that have not cleared, or charges that are processing), Bank of America will not let you close the account until those settle. This usually takes one to three business days. You can check pending transactions in your account activity — look for items marked "Pending" or "Processing".
If a hold is placed on your account (for example, because of a dispute or fraud investigation), you will need to wait for the hold to be released before closing. Contact Bank of America customer service to find out when the hold will be removed.
What happens to your debit card and checks
Your debit card stops working immediately after the account closes. If you have checks linked to this account, they will be rejected if anyone tries to cash them after the closure is final. If you have outstanding checks that have not cleared, keep the account open for at least 10 days to allow them to process.
If you are expecting a direct deposit (paycheck, tax refund, government benefit) to this account, make sure to update your direct deposit information with your employer or the paying agency before closing. Deposits sent to a closed account are usually returned to the sender, and it can take weeks to reissue them.
If you cannot close the account online
Some account types — such as certain investment or trust accounts — cannot be closed through the website or app. If you do not see a close account option after signing in, you will need to call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 or visit a branch in person.
If you have a credit card, you close it through a different process. Log into your credit card account online, go to Settings, and look for an option to close the card. If that option is not available, call the number on the back of your card.
If your account has been flagged for fraud or is under investigation, Bank of America may not allow you to close it online. In that case, you will need to speak to a representative by phone or in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for the account to fully close?
The account is marked as closed immediately after you submit the request online, but it takes one to three business days for the closure to become final in Bank of America's system. During this time, you will not be able to use the debit card or access the account. You will receive an email confirmation once the closure is complete.
Can I reopen the account after I close it?
Yes, but only within a limited window. If you close the account and change your mind within 30 days, you can contact Bank of America to reopen it. After 30 days, the account is permanently closed and you will need to open a new account instead.
What if I have a negative balance when I try to close?
You cannot close the account until the balance is zero or positive. Deposit money to cover the overdraft, then proceed with closure. If you do not pay the negative balance, Bank of America may send the debt to a collection agency.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a deposit account (checking or savings) does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit accounts like credit cards and loans, not bank accounts. However, if you have an overdraft that goes unpaid, that can be reported to credit bureaus.
Do I need to close my debit card separately?
No. When you close the deposit account, the debit card linked to it stops working automatically. You do not need to take any separate action to deactivate the card.