You can close most Bank of America accounts through their website or mobile app without calling or visiting a branch
Bank of America lets you close checking, savings, and money market accounts online through their website or mobile app. The process takes a few minutes if your account has a zero balance and no pending transactions. If you have money in the account, you'll transfer it out first. If you have a debit card, you can keep using it for a short window after closure, but the bank will eventually deactivate it.
Some account types — like investment accounts, credit cards, or accounts with active loans tied to them — cannot be closed online and require a phone call to 800-432-1000 or a visit to a branch. If you're unsure whether your account type can be closed online, log in and look for a "close account" option in your account settings; if it's not there, you'll need to call.
Key Takeaways
- Your Bank of America account must have a zero balance before you can close it online; transfer any remaining money to another bank first.
- Log into your account online or through the mobile app, find the account settings or help section, and select the option to close your account.
- Debit cards linked to the closed account will stop working within a few days, though the bank may take up to two weeks to fully process the closure.
- If you have direct deposits, automatic bill payments, or loans tied to the account, cancel or redirect them before closing to avoid failed transactions.
- Some account types, including credit cards and investment accounts, must be closed by phone or in person.
Steps to close your account through the Bank of America website
Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com. On the home page or in the account menu, look for a link labeled "Close Account," "Account Settings," or "Help & Support." The exact location varies depending on whether you're using the classic website or the newer design, but it's usually in a dropdown menu under your account name or in the main navigation.
Click on the close account option. The bank will show you a summary of the account you're about to close, including the current balance. If the balance is not zero, you cannot proceed — you must transfer the money out first. Once you confirm the balance is zero, follow the prompts to complete the closure. The bank will ask you to confirm your decision and may ask why you're closing the account, but this is optional and won't affect the closure.
After you submit, you'll receive a confirmation message on screen and an email to the address on file. Keep this confirmation for your records. The account will be marked as closed immediately, though it may take a few business days for the closure to fully process in the bank's system.
Closing your account through the Bank of America mobile app
Open the Bank of America mobile app and log in. Tap the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) in the top left or bottom right, depending on your device. Look for "Settings," "Account Settings," or "Help & Support."
Navigate to the account you want to close and look for an option to manage or close it. Tap "Close Account" and confirm that your balance is zero. If it's not, go back to your account and transfer the remaining balance to another bank before returning to close it. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the closure, and you'll receive a confirmation message and email.
What to do with money still in the account
Before you can close the account, you must move any remaining balance to another bank or to a different Bank of America account. The easiest way is to transfer the money online using your Bank of America account. Log in, go to the account with the balance, and select "Transfer Money." Choose the destination account (at Bank of America or another bank) and enter the amount. Most transfers between Bank of America accounts happen instantly; transfers to other banks usually take one to three business days.
If you prefer not to transfer online, you can withdraw the money in cash at a Bank of America branch or ATM, or you can request a cashier's check. Once the balance is zero, return to the close account process and complete it.
Stopping direct deposits and automatic payments before closure
If you have direct deposits (paychecks, benefits, tax refunds) going to the account you're closing, contact your employer, benefits administrator, or the organization sending the deposit and give them your new account number at another bank. This usually takes one to two pay cycles to take effect, so make the change well before you close the account.
If you have automatic bill payments set up from this account, log into each biller's website or app and update your payment method to a different account or payment method. Common billers include utilities, insurance companies, loan servicers, and subscription services. If you miss this step and a payment tries to go through after the account is closed, it will fail, and you may be charged a late fee by the biller.
Check your recent statements for any recurring charges or subscriptions you may have forgotten about. These will also fail if the account is closed.
What happens to your debit card after closure
Your Bank of America debit card will stop working within a few days of account closure. You don't need to do anything — the bank will deactivate it automatically. If you want to destroy the card yourself, you can cut it up or shred it. Do not throw it in the trash intact, as the card number and other information could be recovered.
If you have pending transactions that haven't cleared yet when you close the account, they may still post to the closed account for a short time. The bank will typically cover these transactions, but it can take several days to resolve. If a transaction is declined after closure, contact the merchant and provide them with your new payment method.
Account types that must be closed by phone or in person
Bank of America credit cards, investment accounts, brokerage accounts, and accounts with active loans cannot be closed online. If you have a credit card, call 800-432-1000 to close it. The bank will ask you to confirm your identity and will review any remaining balance. If you have a balance, you'll need to pay it off before the account closes.
For investment or brokerage accounts, or if you have a loan tied to your checking or savings account, you must call or visit a branch. Some of these closures require additional documentation or may have restrictions depending on the type of investment or loan.
Timeline for full account closure
The account will be marked as closed immediately after you complete the online process, but the full closure can take up to two weeks to process completely. During this time, the account will not accept new deposits or withdrawals, and your debit card will be deactivated. Any pending transactions should clear within this window.
If you need confirmation that the account is fully closed for tax or legal purposes, you can request a closure letter from Bank of America by calling 800-432-1000 or visiting a branch. Keep any confirmation emails you received when you closed the account, as these serve as proof of closure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my Bank of America account if I have a negative balance?
No. You must bring the account to zero or positive before closing. If the balance is negative, you owe the bank money. Contact Bank of America to arrange payment of the negative balance, then close the account. If you don't pay, the bank may pursue collection or report it to ChexSystems, which affects your ability to open accounts at other banks.
What if I closed my account and a check I wrote hasn't cleared yet?
Bank of America will typically honor checks for a short time after closure, but this is not may provide. Contact the bank immediately to let them know a check is pending. If the check bounces, the recipient may charge you a returned check fee, and you'll need to pay them by another method. In the future, wait until all outstanding checks have cleared before closing an account.
Do I need to close my account in person if I have a Bank of America credit card?
No. You can close a Bank of America credit card by phone at 800-432-1000. You do not need to visit a branch unless you prefer to. Make sure any balance is paid off before calling to close.
Will closing my Bank of America account hurt my credit score?
Closing a checking or savings account does not affect your credit score because these accounts don't appear on your credit report. Closing a credit card can have a small negative effect on your credit score because it reduces your total available credit, but the impact is usually temporary and minor.
How long does it take for Bank of America to send me a closure confirmation letter?
Bank of America will email you a confirmation immediately after you close the account online. If you need an official closure letter for tax or legal purposes, call 800-432-1000 and request one. The bank typically mails these within five to seven business days.