Yes, but Bank of America will close it if the balance stays at zero for too long
Bank of America does not require you to maintain a minimum balance in most checking accounts. You can have zero dollars in the account and it will remain open—for a while. The catch is timing: if your account sits dormant with a zero balance for a certain period, Bank of America will close it without warning and send any remaining funds to your state's unclaimed property program.
The exact timeframe depends on your account type and whether you have any activity at all. An account with zero balance that has no deposits, withdrawals, or transfers for 12 months is at risk of closure. Some accounts close sooner if they fall below zero and stay negative. The bank does not charge a monthly fee on most checking accounts, but inactivity combined with a zero balance is what triggers the closure.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America checking accounts can legally hold a zero balance without a monthly maintenance fee on most account types.
- An account with zero balance and no activity for 12 months may be closed by the bank without notice.
- If your account is closed, any remaining funds go to your state's unclaimed property division, and you will need to file a claim to recover them.
- Making even one transaction per year—a deposit, withdrawal, or transfer—can prevent closure due to inactivity.
- Negative balances (overdrafts) combined with zero activity will trigger closure much faster than a zero balance alone.
Which Bank of America checking accounts have no minimum balance requirement
Bank of America's standard checking account, called Checking, has no minimum balance requirement. You can open it and maintain it with zero dollars. The account comes with a debit card, online banking, and access to Bank of America's ATM network. There is no monthly maintenance fee as long as you meet one of these conditions: you have a direct deposit of at least $250 per month, you maintain an average daily balance of $1,500 or more, or you link it to a Bank of America savings or money market account with a $2,500 average daily balance.
If you do not meet any of those conditions, Bank of America charges $12 per month for the Checking account. That fee applies whether your balance is zero or not. However, you can waive the fee by setting up a direct deposit or by maintaining the required linked account balance. The point is: zero balance itself does not trigger a fee. Inactivity does.
Bank of America also offers SafePass Checking, which is designed for people who want to avoid overdraft fees. This account also has no minimum balance requirement and no monthly fee. It works the same way regarding inactivity: zero balance plus 12 months of no activity will result in closure.
How long Bank of America waits before closing a dormant zero-balance account
Bank of America's policy is to close accounts that show no activity for 12 months. Activity means any transaction: a deposit, a withdrawal, a transfer, a check cleared, an ACH payment, or even a balance inquiry initiated by you. A zero balance alone does not trigger closure. A zero balance combined with complete inactivity for a year does.
If your account goes negative (you overdraw it), the timeline is shorter. An account that is overdrawn and shows no activity for 60 days may be closed. If it remains overdrawn for longer, Bank of America may charge overdraft fees until the account is closed or the balance is brought positive. Once closed, you cannot use the account, and any funds remaining in it are sent to your state's unclaimed property program.
The bank does not send a warning before closing a dormant account. You will not receive a phone call or email saying "your account will close in 30 days." You may discover the closure only by trying to use the debit card or logging into online banking and finding the account is gone.
What happens to your money when Bank of America closes your account
If your account has a zero balance at closure, there is nothing to happen to—the account straightforward closes. If there is any money in the account at the time of closure, Bank of America will send it to your state's unclaimed property division. This is a government program, not a Bank of America program. Each state runs its own unclaimed property system.
To recover funds from unclaimed property, you must file a claim with your state. You can search for unclaimed property through the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) website, which links to each state's program. You will need to provide proof of ownership—usually your Social Security number and the account number or the bank's name. The process takes several weeks to several months, depending on your state.
If you want to avoid this entirely, the simplest step is to make one transaction per year—even a small transfer from another account to your Bank of America checking account. That single transaction resets the inactivity clock and keeps the account open.
How to prevent your zero-balance account from being closed
Make at least one transaction per year. This can be a deposit of any amount, a withdrawal, a transfer between your own accounts, or even a bill payment. The transaction does not have to be large. A $1 transfer from a savings account to your checking account counts as activity and restarts the 12-month inactivity timer.
Set up a direct deposit if you can. Even if the deposit is small or infrequent, it counts as activity. If you receive any regular payment—a paycheck, a pension, a government benefit, a freelance payment—you can direct it to your Bank of America checking account. This keeps the account active and may also waive the monthly maintenance fee.
Link your checking account to a savings account and maintain the required balance in savings. If you have $2,500 in a Bank of America savings or money market account, your checking account fee is waived and the linked account relationship itself may count as activity. Check your account statements regularly to confirm the account is still open.
The difference between zero balance and negative balance
A zero balance means you have no money in the account. A negative balance (also called an overdraft) means you have spent more than you had, and you owe the bank money. Bank of America treats these very differently regarding account closure.
A zero balance with no activity for 12 months will result in closure. A negative balance with no activity for 60 days will result in closure much faster. Additionally, while your account is negative, Bank of America charges overdraft fees—typically $35 per overdraft transaction. These fees can accumulate quickly if the account remains overdrawn and inactive.
If you want to keep your account open, do not let it go negative. If it does go negative, deposit money to bring it back to zero or positive as soon as possible. If you cannot, contact Bank of America to discuss your options. The bank sometimes works with customers to avoid closure, but there is no may provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Bank of America charge me a fee for having zero balance?
No, zero balance itself does not trigger a fee. However, if you do not meet the conditions to waive the monthly maintenance fee (direct deposit, minimum linked account balance, or average daily balance), you will be charged $12 per month regardless of whether your balance is zero or positive. The fee is for account maintenance, not for the zero balance.
Can I reopen my account after Bank of America closes it for inactivity?
You can open a new checking account with Bank of America at any time. However, the closed account itself cannot be reopened. If there was money in the closed account, it has been sent to your state's unclaimed property program, and you will need to file a claim to recover it. Opening a new account does not restore the old one.
Does a zero balance hurt my credit score?
No. Bank of America checking accounts do not report to credit bureaus, so a zero balance has no effect on your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit activity—loans, credit cards, and payment history. A checking account balance, whether zero or high, does not factor into your score.
What if I have a zero balance but I am still receiving direct deposits?
If you are receiving direct deposits, your account is active and will not be closed for inactivity. Direct deposits count as activity. As long as deposits continue to arrive, the 12-month inactivity clock does not start, even if your balance returns to zero after you withdraw the money.
How do I know if my account is about to be closed?
Bank of America does not send advance notice before closing a dormant account. The best way to know your account status is to log into online banking or call the customer service number on the back of your debit card. If you have not used the account in several months, make a small transaction to reset the inactivity timer and may support the account stays open.