You can close most Bank of America accounts through their website or mobile app without calling
Bank of America lets you close checking and savings accounts online through your account dashboard. The process takes about 10 minutes if you have no outstanding transactions, no negative balance, and no linked services that depend on the account. If your account has complications—pending deposits, automatic bill payments, or a balance you owe—you will need to resolve those first, and you may need to call 1-800-432-1000 to finish the closure.
The online closure works only if your account is in good standing. If you have overdraft fees, a negative balance, or fraud holds, Bank of America will not let you close through the app. You will see an error message telling you to call instead. This is not a delay tactic—it protects both you and the bank by ensuring no money is left hanging.
Key Takeaways
- Close your account through the Bank of America mobile app or website by going to Settings, selecting your account, and choosing Close Account—no phone call needed if the account is clean.
- You must have a zero balance, no pending transactions, and no automatic payments linked to the account before you can close it online.
- If you have overdraft fees, a negative balance, or fraud holds, you cannot close online and must call 1-800-432-1000 instead.
- After you close the account, Bank of America keeps records for seven years, and any checks you wrote may still clear for up to six months.
- If you are closing because of a dispute or fraud, tell the bank before you close so they can flag the account and investigate if needed.
Steps to close your 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, then select Settings. Find the account you want to close and tap on it. Scroll down until you see "Close Account" and tap that option. The app will ask you to confirm that you want to close the account and will show you any remaining balance or fees.
If the app shows a zero balance and no holds, you can complete the closure right there. Bank of America will send you a confirmation email within a few minutes. If the app tells you the account cannot be closed online, stop and call 1-800-432-1000 instead—trying to force the closure will not work and may trigger a fraud alert.
Steps to close your account through the website
Go to bankofamerica.com and sign in to your account. Click on Settings (usually a gear icon in the top right). Select "Account Settings" and then find the account you want to close. Look for a "Close Account" or "Manage Account" option. Click it and follow the prompts to confirm the closure.
The website version works the same way as the app—if your account has any issues, you will see a message saying you cannot close online. Do not ignore this message. It means something is blocking the closure, and you need to fix it before the account can be closed. Common blockers are pending direct deposits, automatic bill payments still active, or a balance owed to the bank.
What you must do before closing
Stop all automatic payments and transfers linked to the account at least a week before you close it. This includes automatic bill payments, paycheck direct deposits, and transfers to other accounts. If a payment tries to go through after you close the account, it will be rejected, and you may face late fees from the company you were paying.
Bring your account balance to exactly zero. If you have money left, transfer it to another bank account or withdraw it in cash. If you owe the bank money—overdraft fees, negative balance, or other charges—pay that amount before you close. Bank of America will not close an account with a balance owed.
Wait for any pending deposits or checks to clear. If you have a check that has not cleared yet or a deposit that is still processing, wait until it shows as complete. Closing an account with pending transactions can cause those transactions to fail, and you may lose track of them.
What happens after you close the account
Bank of America will send you a confirmation email and a final statement showing the closure date. Any checks you wrote before closing may still clear for up to six months after the account closes, so the bank will keep the account open in the background to process those checks. This is normal and does not mean the account is still active for deposits or withdrawals.
The bank keeps records of the closed account for seven years for tax and regulatory reasons. If you need a copy of old statements or transaction history, you can request it through the Bank of America website or by calling 1-800-432-1000. After seven years, the bank destroys the records.
If you had a debit card linked to the account, it will stop working immediately after closure. Destroy the card or call 1-800-432-1000 to report it as closed so no one can attempt to use it. If you had online bill pay set up, those payees will no longer receive payments from this account.
When you cannot close online and must call instead
Call 1-800-432-1000 if the app or website tells you the account cannot be closed online. Have your account number and Social Security number ready. A representative will ask why you want to close the account and will check for any holds, pending transactions, or balances owed. If everything is clear, they can close it over the phone in about 10 minutes.
If there are issues—overdraft fees, fraud holds, or a negative balance—the representative will walk you through fixing them first. This might mean paying a fee, waiting for a hold to lift, or transferring money in. Once those are resolved, the account can be closed.
If you are closing because of fraud or a dispute, tell the representative before they close the account. They can flag it for investigation and may be able to recover unauthorized charges. Closing the account does not erase the dispute, but it does prevent further unauthorized use.
What to do with checks and automatic payments after closing
Any checks you wrote before closing will still try to clear against the closed account for up to six months. Bank of America will honor those checks if there is enough money in the account at the time they arrive. After six months, uncashed checks expire and cannot be deposited.
If you set up automatic bill payments through Bank of America, those will stop working once the account closes. Contact each company you were paying—your utility, credit card, insurance, or loan servicer—and give them your new bank account number or payment method. Do this at least two weeks before you close the account to avoid late payments.
If someone else was sending you automatic deposits—your employer, Social Security, or a government benefit—update your direct deposit information with them before you close the account. If a deposit tries to go through after closure, it will be rejected, and you may miss a payment or benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my account if I have a negative balance?
No. You must pay off any negative balance before closing. Bank of America will not let you close an account that owes money. If you cannot pay the full amount, call 1-800-432-1000 to discuss payment options or a settlement.
What if I close my account but a check clears after that?
Bank of America will honor the check if there is enough money in the account when it arrives, even after closure. The bank keeps closed accounts open in the background for up to six months to process outstanding checks. If there is not enough money, the check will bounce and the check writer will face a returned check fee from their bank.
Do I need to destroy my debit card after closing?
Yes. Cut the card in half or shred it so no one can attempt to use it. If you prefer, you can call 1-800-432-1000 and report it as closed, and the bank will flag it in their system. Either way, the card will not work after the account closes.
How long does it take for the account to fully close?
The closure is immediate once you confirm it online or over the phone. You will get a confirmation email within minutes. However, the bank keeps the account open in the background for six months to process any outstanding checks, so it is not completely removed from their system until then.
Can I reopen a closed Bank of America account?
It depends on how long ago you closed it and why. If you closed it recently and in good standing, you may be able to reopen it by calling 1-800-432-1000. If you closed it due to fraud or dispute, or if it has been more than a year, the bank may require you to open a new account instead.