Call Bank of America or visit a branch to close your account
The fastest way to close a Bank of America checking account is to call their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000 or visit a branch in person. You'll need your account number and a government-issued ID. Bank of America will ask whether you want to transfer your remaining balance to another account or receive a check, and they'll confirm that no automatic payments or direct deposits are still tied to the account.
If you close by phone, the representative will walk you through the process and send you written confirmation. If you close in person at a branch, bring your ID and any debit cards associated with the account — the branch can deactivate them immediately. Either method takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
You can also close the account online through your Bank of America profile if you have Online Banking set up, though this option is not always visible in every account type. Log in, go to Account Services, and look for the close account option. If you don't see it, phone or branch closure is your route.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-432-1000 or visit a branch with your account number and ID to close your checking account immediately.
- You must decide before closing whether to transfer your remaining balance to another account or receive a check by mail.
- Stop all automatic payments and direct deposits at least a week before you close, or they may fail and create overdraft fees.
- Bank of America will deactivate your debit card when you close the account, so have another payment method ready if you need one that day.
- Written confirmation arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after closure.
Stop automatic payments and direct deposits first
Before you call or visit, log into your Bank of America account and review what's connected to it. Look for automatic bill payments, subscription charges, and direct deposits from your employer or benefits. Any of these can fail after you close the account, and failed direct deposits can delay your paycheck or benefits.
Contact each company or your employer at least one week before closure to redirect payments. For automatic bill payments you set up through Bank of America, log in to Online Banking, go to Bill Pay, and cancel each one. For direct deposits, contact your employer's payroll department or your benefits administrator (Social Security, unemployment, etc.) and provide your new account number if you're moving the money elsewhere.
If you miss one and a payment fails after closure, the company will typically retry it, but the charge may bounce and create a fee. Bank of America will not reverse fees for failed transactions after an account is closed, so prevention is simpler than recovery.
Decide what to do with your remaining balance
Bank of America will not close your account if there's money in it — you must either transfer the balance or receive it. When you call or visit, tell the representative which option you want. If you're transferring to another bank, have that account number ready. Bank of America can move the money the same day if both accounts are at Bank of America; transfers to other banks take 1 to 3 business days.
If you ask for a check, Bank of America will mail it to the address on file. The check arrives within 7 to 10 business days. If your address has changed recently, update it in Online Banking before you close, or call customer service to confirm the mailing address.
If your account has a negative balance (you owe Bank of America money), you must pay it before closure. You can do this by transferring funds from another account, making a deposit, or paying by phone with a debit card.
What happens to your debit card and online access
Your Bank of America debit card stops working immediately when you close the account. If you close in a branch, they'll deactivate it on the spot. If you close by phone, it's deactivated within a few hours. Do not rely on this card for any purchases or ATM withdrawals after closure.
Your online banking login remains active for 90 days after closure so you can view statements and transaction history. After 90 days, your access is deleted. If you need copies of old statements, download them before you close or request them from Bank of America — they can mail or email them to you.
Confirm closure in writing
Bank of America sends a written confirmation letter to your mailing address within 7 to 10 business days. Keep this letter for your records. It includes your final account balance, the date of closure, and confirmation that no outstanding transactions remain.
If you don't receive confirmation within two weeks, call customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and ask them to resend it or confirm closure over the phone. This is useful if you need proof of closure for tax purposes or to show another bank that the account is no longer active.
Reasons a Bank of America branch might refuse to close your account
Bank of America will not close an account if there's an outstanding balance, pending transactions, or active holds. If a check you wrote hasn't cleared yet, the account must stay open until it does. If you have a negative balance, you must pay it first. If there's a fraud investigation or legal hold on the account, closure is blocked until it's resolved.
If a representative tells you the account cannot be closed, ask them to explain the specific reason in writing. Common blocks include pending ACH transfers, uncashed checks, or disputes. Once the issue is resolved, you can close immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my account online without calling?
You can close through Online Banking if the option appears in your Account Services menu, but not all account types offer this. If you don't see a close account option online, you must call 1-800-432-1000 or visit a branch. Phone and branch closure are faster and more reliable.
What if I have a pending direct deposit that hasn't hit yet?
Wait for the deposit to arrive before you close. If you close before it posts, the deposit will fail and bounce back to your employer or benefits administrator. This can delay your paycheck or benefits by several days. Contact your employer or benefits office to redirect the deposit to your new account if you're switching banks.
Do I lose my transaction history after I close?
No. You can view and download statements for 90 days after closure through Online Banking. After that, you can request statements by calling 1-800-432-1000 or visiting a branch. Bank of America keeps records for seven years, so you can retrieve old statements anytime.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a checking account does not affect your credit score. Credit bureaus only track credit accounts like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit. Checking and savings accounts are not reported to credit agencies.
What if I change my mind after closing?
Once closed, the account cannot be reopened. If you want to bank with Bank of America again, you must open a new account. This takes about 10 minutes online or in a branch. Any old account numbers, debit cards, and online access are permanently deleted.