You can close most Bank of America accounts online through your account settings, but savings accounts and some specialty products require a phone call or branch visit

Bank of America lets you close checking accounts and money market accounts through their website or mobile app without calling or visiting a branch. The process takes a few minutes and you can do it from home. However, if you have a savings account, a CD, or an investment account, you will need to call 1-800-432-1000 or go to a branch in person — the online portal does not offer a close option for those account types.

Before you close anything, make sure your account balance is zero or move any remaining money to another bank. Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding balance, and if you leave money behind, they may charge monthly maintenance fees until the account is eventually closed by their internal process, which can take months.

You also need to cancel any automatic payments, direct deposits, or recurring transfers tied to the account. If you miss this step, payments may fail or bounce, and you could face overdraft fees or late payment penalties on bills.

Key Takeaways

  • Checking and money market accounts close through the Bank of America website or app; savings accounts, CDs, and investment accounts require a phone call to 1-800-432-1000 or a branch visit.
  • Your account balance must be zero before Bank of America will close it, so transfer or withdraw all remaining funds first.
  • Cancel all automatic payments, direct deposits, and recurring transfers at least one week before closing to prevent failed transactions.
  • After closing, keep your account number and final statement for your records in case a payment or refund arrives after the account is gone.
  • If you have a negative balance or outstanding fees, Bank of America will not close the account until those are paid.

Steps to close a checking or money market account online

Log into your Bank of America account on the website or open the mobile app. Go to Settings (usually a gear icon), then select Account Settings or Manage Accounts. Find the account you want to close and look for a Close Account option — it is typically at the bottom of the account details page.

Click or tap Close Account and Bank of America will show you a confirmation screen listing the account number and current balance. If the balance is not zero, you cannot proceed — go back and transfer or withdraw the remaining money first. Once the balance is confirmed at zero, click Confirm or Close. The account closes immediately, though it may take one to two business days for the closure to appear in your account list.

You will receive an email confirmation with your closure date and final account number. Save this email and your final statement for your records. If a check or automatic payment tries to post after closure, you will need proof that the account was closed on a specific date.

How to close savings accounts, CDs, and investment accounts by phone

Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your account. Have your account number ready. The representative will confirm your identity by asking security questions, then verify that your balance is zero. If you have money in the account, they will walk you through transferring it to another account or requesting a check.

For CDs, the representative will tell you whether your CD has matured. If it has not, you may face an early withdrawal penalty — Bank of America will deduct this from your balance before closing. Ask the representative what the penalty is before you authorize the closure. Once you agree, the account closes over the phone and you will receive a confirmation number.

Write down the confirmation number, the date and time of the call, and the representative's name. Bank of America will mail you a final statement within 5 to 10 business days. If you do not receive it within two weeks, call back and reference your confirmation number.

What to do with automatic payments and direct deposits before closing

Any automatic bill payments, payroll direct deposits, or recurring transfers tied to the account will fail once it closes. You need to update these at least one week before your closure date. For payroll, contact your employer's HR or payroll department and provide your new bank account number. For bills, log into each biller's website and update your payment method — either switch to a different bank account, set up a check payment, or use their online payment portal.

For recurring transfers you set up yourself (like moving money to savings each month), cancel them through your Bank of America account settings before closing. Do not rely on the account closure to stop them automatically — some billers will attempt the payment anyway, and you could face returned payment fees or late charges.

If you receive a refund or rebate after the account closes, it may be returned to the sender as undeliverable. Keep your old account number and closure date handy so you can contact the sender and provide a new account number if needed.

Accounts with negative balances or outstanding fees

If your account is overdrawn or has unpaid fees, Bank of America will not close it until the balance is paid in full. You can pay the negative balance online by transferring money from another Bank of America account, or by setting up a one-time transfer from an external bank account. Once the balance reaches zero, you can proceed with closure.

If you have an old Bank of America account that has been inactive for years and has accumulated fees, call 1-800-432-1000 to find out the exact amount owed. Some branches will waive old fees if you ask, though this is not may provide. Once fees are resolved, you can close the account.

What happens after your account closes

Your account number becomes inactive immediately, but Bank of America keeps a record of it for seven years. If a check or payment arrives after closure, it will be returned to the sender marked "Account Closed." You will not receive the funds, and the sender will have to reissue the payment to your new account.

Your final statement will show the closure date and any fees charged up to that point. Keep this statement and your account number for your records — you may need them if a payment dispute arises or if you need to prove the account was closed on a specific date.

If you closed the account by mistake or change your mind within a few days, call Bank of America immediately. They may be able to reopen it if the closure just processed, but this is not may provide. After a few weeks, reopening becomes much harder.

Closing a joint account

If the account is held jointly with another person, both account holders must agree to close it. You can close it online only if you are the primary account holder and the secondary holder has authorized the closure in writing or in person at a branch. If there is any disagreement, you will need to visit a branch together or have the secondary holder call Bank of America to consent.

When a joint account closes, any remaining balance is typically split equally between the two holders unless you specify otherwise. Ask the representative or branch employee how the final balance will be distributed before you authorize closure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my Bank of America account if I still have pending transactions?

No. Bank of America will not close an account with a pending transaction or an outstanding balance. Wait for all pending transactions to post, then transfer or withdraw the balance to zero. This usually takes one to two business days.

What if I close my account and then receive a direct deposit?

The deposit will be returned to your employer or the sender marked "Account Closed." Contact your employer or the sender with your new account number so they can reissue the payment. This can take several days to process.

Do I need to visit a branch to close my account?

Not for checking or money market accounts — you can close those online. Savings accounts, CDs, and investment accounts require a phone call to 1-800-432-1000 or a visit to a branch. Some people prefer to close any account in person for a paper receipt, which is allowed.

Will closing my Bank of America account hurt my credit score?

Closing a checking or savings account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit accounts like credit cards and loans, not deposit accounts. Your credit report will not show the closure.

How long does it take for my account to fully close?

The account closes immediately when you confirm online or over the phone, but it may take one to two business days to disappear from your account list. Your final statement arrives within 5 to 10 business days. Bank of America keeps the account number on file for seven years in case a payment arrives late.