How to close a Bank of America account

You can close a Bank of America checking or savings account by calling their customer service line, visiting a branch in person, or using their online banking portal. The fastest method is a phone call to 1-800-432-1000, where a representative can walk you through the process and confirm your account is closed within minutes. If you close online or by phone, Bank of America will mail you written confirmation; if you close in a branch, ask for a receipt showing the closure date.

Before you close, withdraw or transfer any remaining balance, pay off any outstanding checks or automatic payments, and confirm there are no pending transactions. Bank of America does not charge a fee to close an account, but if your account is overdrawn, you must settle that balance first. The bank will not close an account with a negative balance.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-800-432-1000 to close your account by phone, which takes about 10 minutes and gives you immediate confirmation.
  • Withdraw your remaining balance and stop any automatic payments or recurring transfers before closing, or they may be rejected.
  • If you have an overdrawn account, you must pay the negative balance before Bank of America will process the closure.
  • Request written confirmation of closure in person or by mail, and keep it for your records in case the account appears on your credit report later.
  • If you have a linked savings account, credit card, or investment account, closing your checking account does not automatically close those products.

Steps to close your account by phone

Call Bank of America's customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your account. Have your account number and a form of identification ready. The representative will ask you to confirm your Social Security number or other identifying information, verify your current balance, and ask whether you want any remaining funds mailed to you or transferred elsewhere.

If your account has a positive balance, the representative can arrange a check or transfer. If your balance is zero, the account closes immediately. The representative will give you a confirmation number and tell you when to expect written confirmation in the mail—usually within 5 to 10 business days. Write down the confirmation number and the date and time of the call.

Closing your account in person at a branch

Visit any Bank of America branch with a photo ID and your account number. Tell a teller or banker you want to close your account. They will verify your identity, check your balance, and process the closure on the spot. If you have funds in the account, you can withdraw cash, request a check, or transfer the money to another bank account you provide.

Ask the teller to print a receipt or letter confirming the closure date and account number. This document protects you if the account later appears on your credit report or if you receive mail about the account after closure. Keep it for at least one year.

What to do before you close

Stop all automatic payments and recurring transfers at least one week before you close. Log into your online banking portal, go to the Transfers & Payments section, and cancel any standing orders. If you have automatic bill pay set up, change those payments to a different account or payment method at the biller's website. If you cancel payments without redirecting them, your bills may go unpaid and damage your credit.

Check your account for pending transactions—deposits that have not yet cleared, checks you wrote that have not been cashed, or online purchases that have not posted. If you close while transactions are pending, they may still process and overdraw your new account if you transfer the funds elsewhere. Wait until all pending items have cleared, which usually takes 3 to 5 business days after the last transaction date.

If you have a linked savings account, money market account, or credit card, closing your checking account does not close those products. You must close each account separately if you want them closed. The same applies to investment accounts or lines of credit held at Bank of America.

What happens to your account after closure

Once closed, you cannot make deposits or withdrawals from that account. If a check or automatic payment tries to post after closure, it will be rejected and returned to the sender. The sender may charge you a fee for the returned payment, so notify anyone who regularly sends you money or receives payments from you.

Bank of America will keep records of your closed account for at least five years. If you need a statement or transaction history after closure, you can request it by calling customer service or visiting a branch. The bank may charge a fee for statements older than seven years, though this varies by account type.

If your account is overdrawn or has a negative balance

Bank of America will not close an account with a negative balance. You must deposit funds to bring the account to zero or positive before the closure can process. If you owe money due to overdraft fees or unpaid charges, pay that amount first. Once the balance is zero or positive, you can proceed with closing.

If you are unsure of your exact balance, call customer service or check your online banking portal. The balance shown online updates within one business day of transactions posting. If you see a pending overdraft fee, wait one business day for it to post, then pay the full amount owed.

Closing a joint account

If the account is held jointly with another person, both account holders must consent to the closure. Call customer service or visit a branch together, or one person can call with written authorization from the other account holder. Bank of America will ask for the co-owner's signature on a form authorizing the closure. If you cannot reach the co-owner or they refuse to close the account, you may need to contact a lawyer about your options.

When a joint account closes, any remaining balance is typically split equally between the owners unless you specify otherwise. Confirm with the representative how the funds will be divided and where they will be sent.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to close a Bank of America account?

Closure is immediate when you close in person or by phone. Written confirmation arrives by mail within 5 to 10 business days. The account stops accepting transactions right away, but checks or payments that were already in process may still post for a few days afterward.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

Closing a checking or savings account does not directly affect your credit score because these accounts do not appear on your credit report. However, if you close an account with an outstanding balance or unpaid fees, that debt may be reported and damage your score. Closing a credit card account can lower your score by reducing available credit.

What if I closed my account but still receive mail from Bank of America?

Mail may arrive for 30 to 60 days after closure because statements and notices are sent in batches. Write "Account Closed" on the envelope and return it to the bank, or call customer service to confirm the closure was processed. If mail continues after 90 days, contact the bank again to verify the account is truly closed.

Can I reopen a closed Bank of America account?

Bank of America does not reopen closed accounts. If you want to bank with them again, you must open a new account. The bank may review your history with ChexSystems, a checking account verification service, so if you closed due to overdrafts or fraud, you may face restrictions on opening a new account.

Do I need to close my account before moving to another bank?

No. You can open a new account at another bank while your Bank of America account is still open. However, closing your old account prevents accidental overdrafts and stops you from receiving statements and fees. Most people close their old account once they have confirmed the new account is working.