How to close a Bank of America account
You can close a Bank of America checking or savings account by phone, in person at a branch, or online through your account settings. The fastest method is calling Bank of America's customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and asking to close the account. You'll need to provide your account number and Social Security number for verification. If you have a balance, the bank will mail you a check or transfer the funds to another account you specify. If you have an outstanding balance or owe fees, those will be deducted before any remaining funds are sent to you.
Before you close, make sure all automatic payments and direct deposits linked to that account have been redirected elsewhere. Closing an account doesn't stop pending transactions—checks you've written or bills you've set up to pay from that account will still process, and they may bounce if the account is already closed. Give yourself at least a week after redirecting payments before you formally close.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-432-1000, visit a branch in person, or use your online account settings to close your account; phone is usually fastest.
- Redirect all automatic payments, direct deposits, and recurring bills to another account before closing to avoid bounced transactions.
- Bank of America will mail a check for any remaining balance or transfer funds to an account you provide.
- Outstanding fees or negative balances will be deducted from your balance before the remaining funds are returned to you.
- Allow at least one week after redirecting payments before closing the account to ensure no pending transactions fail.
Redirect automatic payments and direct deposits first
Any recurring payment set up to pull from your Bank of America account—utilities, insurance, loan payments, subscriptions—will attempt to process even after you close the account. If the transaction posts after closure, it will bounce and may trigger overdraft or insufficient funds fees on your new account.
Log into your Bank of America account online or call the companies you pay directly (your electric company, insurance provider, loan servicer) and update your payment method to your new bank account. For direct deposits like paychecks, contact your employer's payroll department and provide your new account number and routing number. Most employers can make this change within one or two pay cycles.
Check your account for any recurring charges you may have forgotten about—streaming services, gym memberships, app subscriptions. These often process silently and will fail if the account is closed. Update or cancel them before you proceed.
Close the account by phone, in person, or online
By phone: Call 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your account. Have your account number and Social Security number ready. The representative will confirm your identity, review any outstanding balance or fees, and process the closure. This usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. Ask the representative to confirm the account is closed and to provide a reference number for your records.
In person at a branch: Visit any Bank of America branch with a photo ID and your account information. A teller can close the account on the spot. This is useful if you want to withdraw cash immediately or if you have questions about your balance. Bring any debit cards associated with the account; the teller may ask you to destroy them or can do it for you.
Online: Log into your Bank of America account, go to Settings, and look for "Close Account" or "Account Services." Not all account types allow online closure—if the option doesn't appear, you'll need to call or visit a branch. Online closure is slower than phone or in-person and may take several business days to process.
What happens to your remaining balance
If your account has a positive balance, Bank of America will return the funds to you. You can ask the bank to mail a check to your address on file, or you can provide another bank account number and routing number for a transfer. A check typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. A transfer to another bank account usually posts within 1 to 3 business days.
If your account has a negative balance—meaning you owe the bank money—Bank of America will not close the account until the balance is paid. You can pay over the phone, online, or in person. Once paid, the account closes immediately.
If you have outstanding fees (overdraft fees, monthly maintenance fees, or other charges), those will be deducted from your balance before the remaining funds are sent to you. Ask the representative or teller to itemize any fees being charged so you understand what you're paying.
Debit cards and checks after closure
Your debit card will stop working immediately or within 24 hours of closure. If you have checks printed for that account, they will bounce if deposited or cashed after the account closes. If you have unused checks, destroy them or contact Bank of America to request they be cancelled.
If someone deposits a check to your closed account, the check will be returned to the depositor marked "Account Closed." This can take several days, so the depositor may contact you asking why the check bounced. Make sure anyone who owes you money knows your new account information before you close.
Closing a joint account
If the account is held jointly with another person, both account holders must consent to closure. Call Bank of America or visit a branch together, or one person can call and provide authorization for the other. The bank may require both signatures on a closure form if you visit in person.
When a joint account closes, the remaining balance is typically split equally between the two account holders unless you specify otherwise. Discuss with the other account holder beforehand how you want the funds divided and whether they have any automatic payments or direct deposits tied to the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen a Bank of America account after I close it?
Yes. You can open a new account at any time. However, if you closed the account due to a negative balance or unpaid fees, Bank of America may flag your record in ChexSystems, a banking history database. Some banks check this database before opening new accounts. Contact Bank of America to confirm your account status before applying elsewhere.
What if I have a pending check that hasn't cleared yet?
Wait until the check clears before closing the account. You can see pending transactions in your online account. If you close before a check clears, it will bounce when it does post. If this happens, the check writer will be notified and may incur a fee from their own bank.
Do I need to close my account in person or can I do it entirely by phone?
You can close most accounts entirely by phone. In-person closure is faster if you want to withdraw cash or destroy your debit card immediately, but it's not required. Online closure is available for some account types but is slower than phone or in-person.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a checking or savings account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit history—loans, credit cards, and payment history. Bank accounts are not reported to credit bureaus. However, if you have an outstanding balance that goes to collections, that can hurt your score.
How long does it take to close a Bank of America account?
By phone or in person, closure is immediate. Online closure can take several business days. Once closed, it may take 7 to 10 business days for a check to arrive or 1 to 3 business days for a transfer to another account to post.