Close your account by phone, in person, or through the mail

Bank of America lets you close a checking or savings account through three routes: calling customer service at 1-800-432-1000, visiting a branch in person, or sending a written request by mail. The fastest method is usually the phone call, which takes about 10 minutes and closes the account the same day. If you go to a branch, bring a photo ID and your account number. If you mail a request, write a letter stating your account number, the account type, and your request to close, then sign it and mail it to your local branch or the address on your statement.

Before you close, make sure your account balance is zero. If you have money in the account, the bank will send it to you by check or transfer it to another account you provide. If you have a negative balance (you owe the bank money), you must pay it before closing. Any pending transactions or automatic payments linked to the account will fail after closure, so update those payments with a new account number or payment method first.

Key Takeaways

  • You can close a Bank of America account by phone at 1-800-432-1000, in person at a branch with photo ID, or by mailing a signed letter to your branch.
  • Bring your account to a zero balance before closing; if you have money left, the bank sends it by check or to another account you name.
  • Update any automatic payments, direct deposits, or bill pay set to that account before you close it, or those transactions will fail.
  • The bank will not charge you a fee to close an account, but you may owe money if the account is overdrawn.
  • Closing takes effect the same day if you call or visit a branch; mail requests take several business days to process.

What happens to money still in the account

If your account has a positive balance when you close it, Bank of America will return the money to you. You can ask them to send a check to your mailing address, or you can provide another bank account number and they will transfer the funds electronically. The transfer usually takes one to three business days. If you choose the check option, allow five to seven business days for it to arrive in the mail.

If your account is overdrawn (you owe the bank money), you cannot close the account until you pay the negative balance. You can do this by transferring money from another account, depositing cash at a branch, or mailing a check. Once the balance is paid, you can proceed with closing.

Stop automatic payments and direct deposits before closing

Any automatic bill payments, recurring transfers, or direct deposits tied to the account will fail once it closes. This can result in late fees, missed payments, or lost income if your paycheck is supposed to land there. Before you close, log into your Bank of America account online or call 1-800-432-1000 to review what is set up on that account.

For automatic bill payments, contact each company (your utility, insurance, loan servicer, etc.) and give them your new account number or payment method. For direct deposit, contact your employer's payroll department and provide your new account details. For transfers you set up yourself, delete them from your Bank of America account settings. Wait at least one full pay cycle after updating these before you close the account, to make sure the new method works.

Closing a joint account requires both account holders

If the account is joint (held by two or more people), Bank of America requires all account holders to request the closure together. This means all owners must be present in person at a branch, or all must call customer service at the same time, or all must sign the written request. If one account holder wants to close and the other does not, you cannot close the joint account. Your only option is to remove one person from the account, which requires the consent of all current holders.

If you are the only person who wants out of a joint account, you can ask the bank to convert it to a single-name account in the other person's name, or you can request that your name be removed. The other account holder must agree to this change.

What to do if you have a credit card or loan with Bank of America

Closing a checking or savings account does not close a credit card or loan account. Those are separate products and remain open unless you close them separately. If you have automatic payments set up from the checking or savings account to pay a credit card or loan, update that payment method before closing the account. You can set up payments from a different bank account, or switch to paying by mail or through the Bank of America website using a different account.

If you have a credit card with an automatic payment from the account you are closing, contact the credit card department at 1-800-432-1000 and update the payment source. If you do not, your payment will fail and you may be charged a late fee.

How long the account stays closed and whether you can reopen it

Once Bank of America closes your account, it is closed immediately if you close it by phone or in person, or within several business days if you close it by mail. The account number cannot be reused. If you change your mind within a short window (usually 30 days), you may be able to reopen the account by visiting a branch or calling customer service, though the bank is not required to do so. After 30 days, reopening is unlikely.

If you want to open a new Bank of America account later, you can do so at any time, but it will have a new account number. The bank will check your account history through ChexSystems, a banking verification system, to see if you left the previous account in good standing. If you closed with a negative balance or unresolved disputes, opening a new account may be denied or require a deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay a fee to close my account?

No. Bank of America does not charge a fee to close a checking or savings account. However, if your account is overdrawn, you must pay the negative balance before closing. Some accounts may have a monthly maintenance fee that applies through the day you close, so ask about that when you call.

What if I have pending transactions when I close?

Pending transactions (like a check you wrote or a debit card charge that has not cleared yet) will still process after the account closes if they were authorized before closure. Once they clear, the bank will deduct the money from your remaining balance or send you a bill if the account is now negative. This is why it is important to wait for all pending items to clear before closing.

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

No. You must pay off any negative balance before the bank will close the account. You can deposit money, transfer funds from another account, or mail a check to cover it. Once the balance is zero or positive, you can proceed with closing.

What happens to checks I wrote before closing?

Checks you wrote before closing will still be processed after the account closes, as long as they were written on that account. If the check clears after closure and there is no money in the account, the check will bounce and you may be charged a returned check fee. Make sure your account has enough money to cover all outstanding checks before you close.

Can I close the account online?

Bank of America does not offer account closure through its website or mobile app. You must close by phone, in person at a branch, or by mail. Calling 1-800-432-1000 is the fastest option.