You can close a Bank of America checking account by phone, in person, or online, but the method depends on your account type and whether you have outstanding transactions

The fastest way to close a Bank of America checking account is to call their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000. A representative will verify your identity, confirm your account has no pending deposits or withdrawals, and process the closure. If you have a balance, they will mail you a check or transfer the funds to another account you provide. The call typically takes 10 to 15 minutes.

You can also close the account in person at any Bank of America branch. Bring a government-issued ID and your debit card. A teller will verify your account status and process the closure on the spot. If you prefer not to call or visit a branch, some account types allow closure through the mobile app or online banking, though this option is not available for all checking products.

Before you close the account, make sure no automatic payments, direct deposits, or pending transfers are still linked to it. If you have overdraft protection tied to another account, that connection will be severed when you close the checking account.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-800-432-1000 to close your account by phone, which is the fastest method and takes about 15 minutes.
  • Visit any Bank of America branch in person with your ID and debit card if you prefer to close the account face-to-face.
  • Cancel all automatic payments, direct deposits, and linked transfers before closing to avoid missed bills or lost deposits.
  • If you have a remaining balance, Bank of America will mail a check or transfer funds to another account within 5 to 10 business days.
  • Closing the account does not affect your credit score, but any overdraft protection tied to this account will end immediately.

What happens to your remaining balance

If your checking account has money in it when you close, Bank of America will not keep the funds. You must tell the representative how you want the balance handled. You can request a check mailed to your address on file, or you can provide the routing and account number of another bank account where the funds should be transferred.

A mailed check typically arrives within 5 to 10 business days. If you choose a transfer to another account, the funds usually move within 1 to 3 business days. Keep in mind that if you close the account before the transfer completes, the receiving bank may reject the deposit if the sending account no longer exists. For this reason, it is safer to request the check or to wait for confirmation that the transfer has posted before you formally close.

Canceling automatic payments and direct deposits

Any recurring bill payments or automatic transfers set up through this checking account will stop working once the account closes. You must redirect these payments to another account before closure, or contact each company individually to update your payment method.

If you receive a paycheck via direct deposit to this account, notify your employer's payroll department with your new account information. Direct deposits that arrive after the account is closed may be returned to your employer, and you will have to request a manual check or resubmit your banking details.

Review your last three months of statements to find all recurring transactions. Search for subscriptions, insurance premiums, loan payments, and utility bills. Each one needs a new destination before you close the account.

Closing the account by phone

Call 1-800-432-1000 and select the option for account services. When a representative answers, provide your full name, Social Security number, and account number. They will ask security questions to verify your identity.

Once verified, tell them you want to close the checking account. They will check for pending transactions, outstanding checks, or scheduled transfers. If everything is clear, they will ask how you want your remaining balance handled. Provide either your mailing address for a check or the routing and account number of the receiving bank.

The representative will confirm the closure date and provide a confirmation number. Write this down. The account will close immediately, though it may take a few days for the closure to appear in your online banking portal.

Closing the account in person at a branch

Bring your government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and your Bank of America debit card to any branch. Tell the teller you want to close your checking account. They will pull up your account and review any pending activity.

If you have a balance, decide on the spot whether you want a check or a transfer. If you choose a transfer, provide the routing number and account number of the receiving bank. The teller will process the closure and give you a receipt with a confirmation number.

Closing in person is useful if you have questions about your account history or if you want to make sure the closure is complete before you leave. The account closes immediately.

What to do if you have outstanding checks

If you have written checks that have not yet cleared, do not close the account until they do. Bank of America will not close an account with pending checks because the checks could bounce when they arrive at the receiving bank.

Wait until all outstanding checks have cleared, which usually takes 5 to 10 business days from the date you wrote them. You can check your statement online to see which checks have posted. Once they are all cleared, you can proceed with closure.

If you are unsure whether a check has cleared, call customer service or log into your account online to review recent transactions. It is better to wait a few extra days than to close the account and have a check bounce.

Overdraft protection and linked accounts

If you have set up overdraft protection on this checking account—where another Bank of America account or savings account covers overdrafts—that protection will end when you close the account. If you still need overdraft coverage, set it up on your new checking account before you close this one.

Similarly, if this checking account is linked to a savings account for transfers or if it is part of a package account, closing the checking account does not automatically close the savings account. You will need to close the savings account separately if that is what you want.

After the account closes

Once closed, you will no longer be able to use your debit card for this account. Destroy the card or cut it up to prevent accidental use. You can still access your account history online for a limited time, though Bank of America eventually removes closed account records from your active portal.

If you need a record of transactions from this account after closure, download your statements or request a copy from customer service before you close. Bank of America keeps records for seven years, but retrieving them after closure requires a formal request.

Closing a checking account does not affect your credit score. It does not appear on your credit report because checking accounts are not credit products. However, if the account had an overdraft or unpaid fees, those may have been reported to ChexSystems, a banking history database. Closing the account does not remove that record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reopen a Bank of America checking account after I close it?

Yes, you can open a new checking account at any time. However, if your previous account was closed due to overdrafts, unpaid fees, or fraud, Bank of America may review your ChexSystems record before approving a new account. If there are no issues, opening a new account is straightforward and takes about 10 minutes in a branch or online.

What if I have a pending deposit that hasn't cleared yet?

Do not close the account until the deposit has posted. If you close before it arrives, the deposit may be returned to the sender or held in limbo. Wait for the deposit to clear, which usually takes 1 to 3 business days, then proceed with closure.

Will closing my account affect my credit score?

No. Checking accounts do not appear on your credit report, so closing one has no impact on your credit score. Only credit products like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit affect your credit.

How long does it take for my check to arrive after I close the account?

Bank of America typically mails a check within 5 to 10 business days. The check is sent to the address on file in your account. If you do not receive it within two weeks, contact customer service with your confirmation number to request a replacement.

Can I close the account if I have a negative balance?

No. You must pay off any overdraft or negative balance before closing. You can do this by transferring funds from another account, making a deposit, or arranging a payment plan with Bank of America. Once the balance is zero or positive, you can proceed with closure.