How to close your Bank of America checking account
You can close a Bank of America checking account in person at a branch, by phone, or by mail. The fastest way is to visit a branch with your ID and account number — the banker can process it on the spot and confirm the account is closed before you leave. If you call, have your account number ready and be prepared to answer security questions; the representative will walk you through the steps and mail you written confirmation. By mail, you send a signed letter requesting closure to your local branch, though this takes longer and you won't have immediate proof the account is closed.
Before you close the account, make sure any automatic payments or direct deposits tied to it are moved to another account. Bank of America will not process transactions after closure, so a bill payment or paycheck deposit scheduled for after the closure date will fail. Check your account for pending transactions and wait for them to clear. If you have checks outstanding, wait until they clear or cancel them through the bank. Any remaining balance will be mailed to you as a check, usually within one to two weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Closing in person at a branch is fastest and gives you immediate confirmation; by phone takes one business day; by mail takes one to two weeks.
- Move any automatic payments, direct deposits, and recurring charges to another account before you close, or they will fail after the account shuts down.
- Wait for all pending transactions and outstanding checks to clear before closing, or contact the bank to cancel them.
- Any remaining balance will be mailed to you as a check; keep the confirmation of closure for your records in case a charge appears later.
Steps to close in person at a Bank of America branch
Walk into any Bank of America branch during business hours with your government-issued ID and your account number (or debit card). Tell the banker you want to close your checking account. They will pull up your account, confirm there are no pending transactions, and ask you to sign a form authorizing the closure. The banker will give you a receipt or written confirmation showing the account is closed and the date it took effect.
If your account has a balance, ask the banker how you want it paid out — as a check mailed to your address, a transfer to another Bank of America account, or a cashier's check you can take with you immediately. Most branches can issue a cashier's check on the spot if you choose that option. If you have questions about pending transactions or automatic payments, the banker can review your recent activity with you before you sign the closure form.
Steps to close your account by phone
Call Bank of America's customer service line at 1-800-432-1000. Have your account number and Social Security number ready. The representative will verify your identity by asking security questions, then ask why you're closing the account (this is optional to answer). Tell them you want to close your checking account.
The representative will review your account for pending transactions and ask how you want your remaining balance handled. They will then process the closure and mail you written confirmation within one to two business days. Ask the representative for a confirmation number and write it down — this is your proof the account was closed on that date. If you don't receive written confirmation within a week, call back with the confirmation number and ask them to resend it.
Steps to close by mail
Write a letter to your local Bank of America branch requesting closure of your checking account. Include your full name, account number, the date you want the account closed, and your signature. Keep the letter brief — one paragraph is enough. Address it to the branch manager at your nearest Bank of America branch (you can find the address on the Bank of America website or call 1-800-432-1000 to confirm it).
Mail the letter certified with return receipt requested so you have proof it was delivered. Bank of America will process the closure and mail you written confirmation and any remaining balance as a check. This method takes one to two weeks from the time they receive the letter. Because there is no immediate confirmation, keep the certified mail receipt and the confirmation letter they send you together in case you need to prove the account was closed.
What to do with automatic payments before closing
Log into your Bank of America account online or through the mobile app and review your recent transactions for any recurring charges — subscriptions, insurance payments, loan payments, utility bills, or other monthly expenses. For each one, log into that company's website and update the payment method to a different bank account or credit card. Do this at least one week before you plan to close the account.
If you have automatic bill pay set up through Bank of America itself, go to the Bill Pay section and cancel each scheduled payment. If a payment is scheduled to go out after your account closes, it will fail and the company may charge you a late fee. For paycheck direct deposits, contact your employer's payroll department and provide them with your new bank account number and routing number. Ask them to confirm the change has been made before your next pay date.
What happens to your remaining balance
Any money left in your account after closure will be mailed to you as a check within one to two weeks. The check will be sent to the address Bank of America has on file for you. If you've moved recently, update your address with the bank before you close the account, or the check may go to an old address.
If you don't receive the check within three weeks, call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 with your account closure confirmation number and ask them to issue a replacement check or transfer the balance to another account. Keep the closure confirmation letter until the check arrives and clears, in case there is a dispute about whether the account was actually closed.
What to do if charges appear after closure
If a company tries to charge your closed Bank of America account after the closure date, the transaction will be declined and you won't be charged. However, the company may report the failed payment to you as late and charge you a late fee. This is why moving automatic payments before closure is critical.
If you see a charge posted to the account after you closed it, contact Bank of America immediately with your closure confirmation number. This is rare but can happen if a payment was scheduled before closure and processed after. The bank can reverse the charge and refund it to your new account. Keep records of all communications about the closure in case you need to dispute a charge with the company that tried to bill you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my Bank of America checking account if I have a negative balance?
No. You must bring the account to zero or positive balance before closing. If your account is overdrawn, deposit money to cover the negative balance first, then request closure. Bank of America will not close an account with a debt owed to them.
Do I need to close my savings account too, or just the checking account?
You can close either account independently. If you only want to close your checking account, tell the banker or representative that specifically. If you have both accounts and want to close both, you can do it in the same visit or call, but they are separate closures.
What if I have a Bank of America credit card tied to my checking account?
Your credit card is a separate account and will not be affected by closing your checking account. However, if you have automatic payments set up to pay your credit card bill from that checking account, you must move those payments to another account before closure, or the payments will fail.
How long does it take for the account to actually close after I request it?
In person, the account closes immediately. By phone, it closes within one business day. By mail, it closes within one to two weeks of the bank receiving your letter. After the closure date, no transactions can be posted to the account, and any attempts to charge it will be declined.
Will closing my Bank of America checking account hurt my credit score?
No. Closing a checking account does not affect your credit score because checking accounts are not reported to credit bureaus. Only credit accounts like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit appear on your credit report.