You can close a Bank of America checking account online through your mobile app or website, but only if you meet certain conditions
Bank of America lets you close a checking account through their mobile app or website if your account is in good standing — meaning no outstanding checks, no pending transactions, and a zero or positive balance. If you have an overdraft, unpaid fees, or linked accounts that depend on this one, you will need to call or visit a branch instead. The online method takes about 10 minutes and generates a confirmation number you should save.
Before you start, move any money out of the account and make sure no automatic payments or direct deposits are still connected to it. If you close an account with pending transactions, Bank of America may reopen it to process them, which defeats the purpose.
Key Takeaways
- You can only close your account online if it has a zero or positive balance, no overdrafts, and no pending transactions.
- You must stop all automatic payments and direct deposits before closing, or they may fail after the account shuts down.
- Closing online through the app or website takes about 10 minutes and gives you a confirmation number to keep.
- If your account has an overdraft, unpaid fees, or is linked to other products, you must call 1-800-432-1000 or visit a branch to close it.
Steps to close your account through the Bank of America app
Open the Bank of America mobile app and sign in. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner, then select "Settings." Scroll down and tap "Close Account." The app will ask you to confirm which account you want to close — select your checking account from the list.
Bank of America will show you a summary of your account balance and ask you to confirm that all automatic payments have been stopped. If you have not done this yet, cancel the process and remove those payments first. Once you confirm, the app will generate a confirmation number. Write this down or take a screenshot — you will need it if there are questions later.
The account closes immediately, though it may take one to two business days for the closure to appear in your account history. Any checks you wrote before closing may still clear after the account is closed, so monitor your email for notifications.
Closing your account through the Bank of America website
Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com. Click on "Settings" in the top right corner, then select "Account Settings." Find "Close Account" in the menu and click it. The website will display your account balance and ask you to confirm that no automatic payments are still attached.
Select the checking account you want to close from the dropdown menu. Bank of America will show you a final confirmation screen with your account number and balance. Click "Close Account" to complete the process. You will receive a confirmation number on screen — save this or print the page.
Like the app, the website closure is immediate, but the change may not show in your account history for a day or two. Check your email for a confirmation message from Bank of America within a few hours.
What you must do before closing
Transfer any remaining balance to another account. You can move money to another Bank of America account or to a different bank using a transfer or withdrawal. If you leave money in the account, the closure may be delayed or rejected.
Stop all automatic payments and recurring transfers. Log into any service that pulls money from this account — utilities, subscriptions, loan payments, insurance — and change the payment method or cancel the service. This includes automatic transfers you set up yourself. If a payment tries to process after the account closes, it will fail and may trigger overdraft fees or late payment penalties on the original bill.
Redirect direct deposits. If your paycheck or benefits go to this account, change the deposit account with your employer or benefits administrator before you close. Deposits to a closed account will be returned, and you may miss a payment.
Wait for pending transactions to clear. If you have written checks or made debit card purchases that have not yet posted, wait for them to show up in your account history before closing. Closing with pending transactions can cause the account to reopen automatically.
When you cannot close online and must call or visit a branch
If your account has an overdraft balance, Bank of America will not let you close it online. You must pay the overdraft first, or call 1-800-432-1000 to discuss payment options with a representative. Some overdrafts can be waived if you have a long account history with no previous issues, but this requires a phone call.
If you have unpaid fees or holds on your account, the online closure will be blocked. Call the number above or visit your nearest Bank of America branch with a photo ID. A representative can explain what is holding up the closure and what you need to do to clear it.
If this checking account is linked to a savings account, credit card, or investment account that depends on it, you may not be able to close it online. Some linked products require the checking account to stay open. Call or visit a branch to find out whether you need to close or modify the linked accounts first.
What happens after your account closes
Your debit card stops working immediately. Do not throw it away — cut it up or shred it to prevent misuse. If you have checks left, they will not clear after the account closes, so destroy those too.
Checks you wrote before closing may still clear for up to six months after closure. Bank of America will honor them if funds were available when you wrote them. After the account is closed, you will not see these transactions in your account, so keep a record of any checks you issued.
You will lose access to online banking for this account. If you need records or statements, download them before you close. Bank of America keeps closed account statements available for a limited time, but it is easier to save them yourself.
If you have a Bank of America credit card or other products, closing your checking account does not affect them. They remain open unless you close them separately.
If the online closure does not work
If you click "Close Account" and see an error message, it usually means one of the blocking conditions is present: an overdraft, pending transactions, unpaid fees, or a linked account issue. The error message should tell you which one. Fix that problem first, then try again.
If the error message is unclear, call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and have your account number ready. A representative can tell you exactly why the online closure is blocked and what you need to do. You can also visit a branch in person with your ID and a recent statement.
Keep your confirmation number if the closure did go through. If you see the account still active a few days later, call the number above with the confirmation number and ask them to investigate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen my account after closing it online?
Yes, but only within a short window — usually 30 days. Call 1-800-432-1000 and ask to reopen the account. After 30 days, Bank of America treats it as a new account application, which requires a new background check and may take several days to process.
What if I close my account but a check clears after?
Bank of America will honor the check if funds were in the account when you wrote it. The check will clear against your closed account, and you will see the transaction in your history for a limited time. After that, you may need to contact Bank of America to retrieve the record.
Do I need to close my account in person or can I do it all online?
If your account meets the conditions — zero or positive balance, no overdrafts, no pending transactions, no unpaid fees — you can close it entirely online through the app or website. You do not need to visit a branch or call. If any condition is not met, you must call or visit.
Will closing my checking account hurt my credit?
No. Closing a checking account does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. Credit reports track credit products like loans and credit cards, not deposit accounts.
What if I have a joint account — can I close it online?
If the account is joint, both owners usually need to agree to close it. Bank of America may require both owners to be present or to sign off in writing. Call 1-800-432-1000 to find out the requirement for your specific account, or visit a branch together with both owners' IDs.