Yes, you can close your Bank of America checking account at any time
You can close a Bank of America checking account whenever you want, with no penalty or waiting period. Bank of America does not charge a fee to close an account, and you do not need a reason. You can do it in person at a branch, by phone, or online through your account settings.
The process is straightforward, but there are a few things to handle before you close — mainly making sure any pending transactions clear and that you have moved any money you want to keep. Once the account is closed, you will not be able to use the debit card, set up direct deposits, or write checks from that account.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America charges no fee to close a checking account, and you can do it in person, by phone, or through your online banking portal.
- Before closing, withdraw or transfer any remaining balance, stop any automatic payments or direct deposits, and wait for pending transactions to clear.
- You can close the account even if it has a negative balance, but you will still owe Bank of America any overdraft fees or outstanding charges.
- After closing, your debit card will stop working and you will lose access to the account, so make sure you have set up a replacement account first if you need one.
What to do before you close the account
The first step is to move any money out of the account. Log into your Bank of America online banking or mobile app, check your balance, and transfer it to another account you own — either at Bank of America or at a different bank. If you prefer, you can withdraw the money in cash at a Bank of America branch or ATM.
Next, stop any automatic payments or recurring transfers that are set to come out of this checking account. This includes bill payments, subscription charges, and transfers to savings accounts. You can manage these in your online banking under "Bill Pay" or "Transfers." If you have direct deposit set up — for example, a paycheck going into this account — contact your employer or the organization sending the deposit and ask them to send it to a different account instead.
Wait for any pending transactions to clear. If you have written checks or made debit card purchases that have not yet posted to your account, those will still go through even after you close the account. Bank of America will process them and may charge overdraft fees if the account does not have enough money. To avoid this, either wait until those transactions clear, or keep enough money in the account to cover them.
How to close the account online or by phone
The easiest way for most people is to close the account through your Bank of America online banking portal. Log in, go to your account settings, and look for an option to close or deactivate the account. The exact wording and location varies depending on whether you use the website or the mobile app, but it is usually under "Account Services" or "Manage Account." Follow the prompts, confirm that you want to close it, and the account will be closed.
If you prefer to close it by phone, call Bank of America's customer service at the number on the back of your debit card or on your monthly statement. Tell the representative you want to close your checking account. They will confirm your identity, check that the account balance is zero (or ask you to transfer any remaining money), and process the closure. This usually takes a few minutes.
Closing the account in person at a branch
You can also walk into any Bank of America branch and ask to close your checking account. Bring a photo ID and your debit card. The banker will verify your identity, confirm the account balance, and process the closure on the spot. This is a good option if you want to withdraw cash at the same time or if you prefer to handle it face-to-face.
If you have a negative balance — meaning you owe Bank of America money — you will need to pay that amount before closing. This can be overdraft fees, monthly maintenance fees, or other charges. You can pay it with another account, a debit card, or cash.
What happens after you close the account
Once the account is closed, your debit card will stop working when ready. You will not be able to make purchases, withdraw cash, or access the account online. Bank of America will send you a confirmation letter in the mail within a few days.
If you still owe money on the account — for example, an overdraft fee that posted after you closed it — Bank of America will contact you to collect the debt. They may send you a bill or attempt to collect through other means. It is important to settle any outstanding balance to avoid damage to your banking history.
Your account information will remain in Bank of America's records for a period of time, but you will not have access to it. If you need a copy of old statements or transaction history, you can request it from Bank of America before you close the account, or contact them afterward and ask for archived statements.
If you have a joint account or linked accounts
If the checking account is a joint account — meaning someone else is also on it — both account holders usually need to agree to close it. Contact Bank of America to confirm their policy, as it may vary. If you are only one of two owners and the other person wants to keep the account open, you may not be able to close it unilaterally.
If you have linked accounts — for example, a savings account or credit card connected to this checking account — closing the checking account will not automatically close those other accounts. You will need to close them separately if you want to, or you can keep them open and link them to a different checking account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen a Bank of America checking account after I close it?
Yes. You can open a new Bank of America checking account at any time, either online, by phone, or in person at a branch. There is no waiting period or penalty for having closed an account previously. You will go through the normal account opening process and may be asked to provide identification and an initial deposit.
What if I close my account but still have pending checks?
Bank of America will still process checks that were written before you closed the account, as long as they are presented within a reasonable time. If the account does not have enough money to cover the check, the bank will charge an overdraft fee. To avoid this, keep enough money in the account until you are sure all checks have cleared, or contact the people you wrote checks to and ask them to hold off on depositing them.
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. Your credit score is based on credit accounts like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit. Closing a checking account has no impact on your creditworthiness.
Do I need to close my account in the same state where I opened it?
No. You can close a Bank of America checking account from anywhere — online, by phone, or at any Bank of America branch, regardless of which state you opened it in or where you currently live. Bank of America is a national bank, so all of its branches and customer service can handle closures.