You can close a Bank of America account by phone, in person, or online, but the method depends on the account type and whether you have outstanding balances or holds
Bank of America lets you close most checking and savings accounts through their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000, at any branch in person, or through the mobile app for some account types. Before you close, you need to withdraw or transfer any remaining balance, pay off any overdrafts or fees, and make sure no automatic payments or direct deposits are still linked to the account. If you have a credit card, mortgage, or investment account with Bank of America, those close through different processes and cannot be closed through the same channel as a deposit account.
The closure itself is usually immediate once you complete the steps, but it can take 5 to 10 business days for the account to fully disappear from your profile and for any pending transactions to clear. Bank of America will send you a confirmation letter in the mail within 7 to 10 days.
Key Takeaways
- Withdraw or transfer your full balance before closing; Bank of America will not close an account with money still in it.
- Remove all automatic payments, recurring transfers, and direct deposits linked to the account at least a few days before closure.
- Phone closure (1-800-432-1000) works for most deposit accounts and takes about 10 minutes; in-person closure at a branch requires a valid ID.
- After closure, the account number becomes inactive and cannot be reused, so update any vendors or employers who send payments to that account.
- If you have overdraft fees or holds on the account, Bank of America may require you to resolve those before closing.
Steps to close your account by phone
Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your account. Have your account number and a valid ID ready. The representative will verify your identity by asking for your Social Security number, date of birth, or other personal information on file.
Ask the representative to confirm your current balance and whether there are any pending transactions, holds, or overdraft fees. If your balance is zero and there are no holds, the representative can close the account immediately. If there is money in the account, they will ask whether you want to transfer it to another account or receive a check. If you choose a check, Bank of America will mail it to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days.
Before you hang up, ask the representative to confirm the closure date and whether any automatic payments or direct deposits are still active on the account. Write down the confirmation number they provide.
Closing your account in person at a branch
Visit any Bank of America branch with a valid government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID). Tell the teller or banker you want to close your account and provide your account number. They will pull up your account and show you the current balance on screen.
If you have money in the account, you can withdraw it as cash, transfer it to another account at Bank of America or elsewhere, or request a cashier's check. The teller will process the closure on the spot. If there are holds or pending transactions, the banker may ask you to wait for those to clear before closing, or they may close the account with a note that it will become fully inactive once the holds lift.
Ask for a written confirmation of closure before you leave the branch. This is not automatic, but most branches will print one if you request it.
Closing through the mobile app or online
Bank of America's mobile app and website allow you to close some account types without calling or visiting a branch, but not all. Checking and savings accounts can sometimes be closed through the app if your balance is zero and there are no holds. Log in, go to Settings or Account Services, find the account you want to close, and look for a "Close Account" option.
If the option does not appear, it means your account type or situation does not support online closure. This happens most often if you have a balance remaining, an overdraft, a hold, or if the account is linked to credit products. In those cases, you must call or visit a branch.
What to do before closing: the checklist
Stop all automatic payments at least 3 to 5 business days before you plan to close. Log into your account online or through the app, go to Transfers and Payments, and cancel any recurring transfers, bill payments, or subscription charges. Do not rely on the bank to stop these for you when the account closes.
Remove or redirect your direct deposit. If your paycheck or government benefits go to this account, contact your employer or the benefits office and provide them with your new account number. Direct deposits sent to a closed account will bounce back to the sender, and it can take weeks to reroute them.
Withdraw or transfer your full balance. Bank of America will not close an account with money in it. You can transfer funds to another Bank of America account instantly through the app, or to an external account through an ACH transfer (which takes 1 to 3 business days). You can also withdraw cash at any ATM or teller window.
Check for overdraft fees or holds. If your account is overdrawn or if there is a hold (often from a pending check or dispute), you must pay the overdraft or wait for the hold to clear before closing. Ask the bank how long the hold will last.
What happens to linked credit cards and loans
Closing your deposit account does not close any credit cards, lines of credit, or loans tied to that account. If you have a Bank of America credit card, you must close it separately by calling 1-800-432-1000 or logging into your credit card account online. If you have a mortgage or home equity line of credit, those cannot be closed through customer service; you must contact the loan servicer directly or refinance with another lender.
If your credit card or loan is set to make automatic payments from the account you are closing, update the payment method before closure. Payments sent to a closed account will fail, and you may be reported late to the credit bureaus.
After closure: what to expect
Bank of America will send you a confirmation letter within 7 to 10 business days. Keep this letter for your records. The account number becomes inactive immediately and cannot be reused by you or anyone else.
Any checks you wrote from this account will bounce if they have not cleared yet. If you wrote checks before closing, contact the recipients and let them know the account is closed so they can work with you on an alternative payment method.
If you had a debit card linked to this account, it will stop working once the account closes. Destroy the card or wait for it to expire. Do not try to use it after closure.
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, the old account number cannot be reused. If you closed the account in good standing (no overdrafts or fraud), reopening is straightforward. If you closed it because of fraud or repeated overdrafts, Bank of America may require you to wait or may deny the new account.
What if I have a pending check that has not cleared?
Wait for the check to clear before closing the account. If you close before it clears, the check will bounce and the recipient will be notified. If you have already closed and a check comes in, Bank of America will return it unpaid. Contact the recipient and arrange an alternative payment.
Do I lose my transaction history after I close my account?
No. Bank of America keeps your transaction history for seven years after closure. You can request a copy by calling 1-800-432-1000 or visiting a branch. After seven years, the history is deleted.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a deposit account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit accounts (credit cards, loans, lines of credit), not checking or savings accounts. Closing a credit card or loan can affect your score, but closing a bank account does not.
What if Bank of America says I cannot close my account?
This usually means there is a hold, an overdraft, a pending dispute, or a fraud investigation on the account. Ask the representative what is blocking closure and how long it will take to resolve. Once the issue clears, you can close. If you believe the hold is an error, request a supervisor review.