The fastest way to close a Bank of America checking account
You can close a Bank of America checking account by phone, in person at a branch, or online through your account settings. The phone route is fastest: call the number on the back of your debit card or 1-800-432-1000, confirm your identity, and ask to close the account. The representative will confirm your balance, arrange a refund if you have money left, and close the account on the spot. The whole call takes about five minutes.
If you prefer to do it in person, walk into any Bank of America branch with a photo ID and your account number. A teller can close the account immediately. Online closure is also available through your account settings, though the process varies depending on whether you have other accounts linked to the same login.
Before you close, make sure all automatic payments and direct deposits tied to that account have been moved or cancelled. If you miss one, a payment will bounce and you may face overdraft fees or late charges on the original account even after it is closed.
Key Takeaways
- Calling 1-800-432-1000 is the fastest closure method and takes about five minutes, with no waiting for mail or processing delays.
- You must stop all automatic payments and direct deposits before closing, or they will bounce and trigger fees on the closed account.
- If your account has a positive balance, Bank of America will mail you a check or transfer the money to another account you specify.
- Closing a checking account does not affect your credit score or other Bank of America accounts you may hold.
- If you have an outstanding balance or negative balance, you must settle it before the account can close.
Stop automatic payments and direct deposits first
Any recurring payment or deposit tied to your checking account number will fail once the account closes. This includes payroll direct deposit, bill pay, subscription charges, insurance payments, and transfers from other accounts. A failed payment can trigger a late fee on the original bill, even though the money never left your account.
Log into your Bank of America account and review the last 60 days of transactions to find all recurring charges. For each one, contact the company or service and update your payment method or account number. For payroll, contact your employer's HR or payroll department and provide your new account number if you are switching banks, or confirm they should stop the deposit if you are leaving the bank entirely.
Direct deposits usually take one or two pay cycles to stop after you update your employer's records, so plan ahead. If you are closing the account before your next paycheck arrives, make sure your employer has your new account information first.
What happens to your account balance
If your checking account has money in it when you close, Bank of America will not keep it. You can choose how to receive the balance: as a mailed check, as a transfer to another Bank of America account you own, or as a transfer to an external bank account. Tell the representative or teller your preference when you close.
A mailed check typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. If you choose a transfer to another account, it usually posts within one to two business days. If you have a negative balance—meaning you owe the bank money—you must pay that amount before the account can close. Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding debt.
Settling an overdrawn or negative balance
If your account is overdrawn, you owe Bank of America the negative amount plus any overdraft fees that have accrued. You cannot close the account until this is paid. You can pay the balance online through your account, by phone, in person at a branch, or by mailing a check to the address on your statement.
Once you have paid the full amount owed, the account is may be able to access to close. If you are closing because of overdraft fees, ask the representative whether they can waive or reduce recent fees as a courtesy. Bank of America sometimes does this for long-standing customers, though there is no may provide.
Closing the account by phone
Call 1-800-432-1000 and have your account number and a photo ID ready. The automated system will ask you to verify your identity using your Social Security number or other information. Once you reach a representative, tell them you want to close your checking account.
The representative will confirm your current balance, ask how you want to receive any remaining funds, and verify that you have no outstanding holds or pending transactions. They will then close the account and provide you with a confirmation number. Write down this number for your records.
The account closes immediately, though it may take a few days for the closure to show in your online banking. Any checks you have written that have not yet cleared will still process against the closed account, so do not close if you have outstanding checks in the mail.
Closing the account in person at a branch
Bring your photo ID and your debit card to any Bank of America branch. Tell a teller you want to close your checking account. They will pull up your account, confirm your balance, and ask how you want to receive any remaining money. If you have a positive balance, you can ask them to give you a check on the spot or transfer it to another account.
The teller will print a closure confirmation for you. Keep this receipt in case you need proof that the account was closed on a specific date. The account closes immediately, and you will no longer be able to use the debit card or access the account online.
What to do after the account is closed
Monitor your credit report and bank statements for the next 30 days to make sure no unexpected charges post to the closed account. If a payment bounces because the account is closed, you will receive a notice from the company or service. Contact them immediately to provide your new payment information.
If you set up automatic bill pay through Bank of America, those payments will stop when the account closes. You will need to set up bill pay through your new bank or pay those bills manually going forward. Keep the closure confirmation number and the date the account closed in your records for at least one year in case you need to dispute a charge or prove the account was closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my checking account hurt my credit score?
No. Closing a checking account does not affect your credit score because checking accounts are not reported to credit bureaus. Only credit products like loans, credit cards, and lines of credit impact your credit. Closing a checking account is a banking transaction, not a credit event.
Can I reopen a Bank of America checking account after I close it?
Yes, you can open a new checking account at Bank of America at any time after closing. However, if you closed the account due to overdrafts or other issues, Bank of America may review your banking history before approving a new account. There is no waiting period, but the bank may decline if you have recent negative marks in their system.
What if I have a pending check that has not cleared yet?
Do not close the account until all checks have cleared. A check written against a closed account may bounce, triggering a returned-check fee from the recipient and a closure fee from Bank of America. If you have outstanding checks, wait until they clear or contact the payee to cancel them before closing.
Do I need to close my debit card separately?
No. When you close the checking account, the debit card linked to it is automatically deactivated. You do not need to call separately or destroy the card, though you can if you want to be cautious. The card simply stops working once the account is closed.
How long does it take to receive my refund check after closing?
If you ask for a mailed check, it typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. If you request a transfer to another Bank of America account, it posts within one to two business days. If you transfer to an external bank account, it may take one to three business days depending on the receiving bank.