Yes, you can close a Bank of America checking account online through your account settings
Bank of America lets you close a checking account through their website or mobile app without calling or visiting a branch. The process takes a few minutes and happens in your account settings under "Close Account" or "Manage Account." You do not need to speak to anyone, though you will need to handle a few practical things first — mainly making sure the account balance is zero and setting up where remaining funds should go.
The actual closure is when ready once you confirm it. Your account number becomes inactive right away, and any pending transactions will bounce. This matters if you have automatic payments or direct deposits still pointing to that account, so you should redirect those before you close.
Key Takeaways
- You can close a Bank of America checking account through the mobile app or website by navigating to account settings and selecting the close account option.
- Your account must have a zero balance before closure — you will need to withdraw or transfer any remaining money first.
- Any automatic payments, direct deposits, or recurring charges tied to the account will fail after closure, so redirect them to another account beforehand.
- The closure is final when ready after you confirm it, and the account number cannot be reactivated.
- If you cannot close the account online due to an outstanding balance or hold, you will need to call Bank of America or visit a branch to resolve the issue first.
What you need to do before closing the account
Bring the balance to zero. Bank of America will not let you close an account with money in it. Withdraw the remaining balance in cash at an ATM, transfer it to another account you own, or request a check. If the balance is very small (under $1), some branches will waive it, but the safest approach is to move it yourself.
Stop or redirect automatic payments and direct deposits. Any paycheck, government benefit, or bill payment set to hit this account will fail once it closes. Log into each service — your employer's payroll system, your bank's bill pay, any subscription or loan servicer — and change the account number to a different account. This usually takes a few minutes per service and prevents late fees or missed payments.
Check for pending transactions. If you have a check you wrote that has not cleared yet, or a charge that is still processing, wait for it to complete before closing. A closed account cannot receive or send money, so pending items will bounce.
The steps to close your account online
Through the Bank of America website: Log in to your account, go to "Account Settings" or "Manage Your Account," find the checking account you want to close, and look for an option labeled "Close Account" or "Close This Account." Click it, review the confirmation screen (which will remind you the balance must be zero), and confirm. You may be asked why you are closing it — this is optional feedback and does not affect the closure.
Through the Bank of America mobile app: Open the app, tap the account you want to close, scroll to "Account Services" or "More," select "Close Account," and follow the same confirmation steps. The mobile app path varies slightly depending on your phone type, but the option is always in account management.
After you confirm, you will see a message saying the account is closed. You should receive an email confirmation within a few minutes. Keep this email for your records. The account is now inactive and cannot send or receive money.
What happens if you cannot close it online
If the close account option does not appear or you get an error message, the account likely has a hold, an outstanding balance, or a pending dispute. Bank of America sometimes places holds on accounts with recent fraud claims, chargebacks, or overdraft issues. You cannot close the account until the hold is lifted.
Call Bank of America at the number on the back of your card or visit a branch in person. A representative can tell you exactly why the account cannot be closed and what needs to happen first. This usually means waiting for a dispute to resolve, paying an overdraft fee, or waiting out a fraud investigation — typically a few days to a few weeks depending on the issue.
What to do with your debit card after closure
Your Bank of America debit card tied to that checking account will stop working once the account closes. You do not need to do anything special — it will straightforward decline at checkout. You can throw it away or cut it up. If you want to be extra cautious about identity theft, you can call Bank of America and ask them to cancel the card, but this is not required since the account is already closed.
If you are keeping another Bank of America checking account open, your debit card for that account will continue to work normally. Only the card linked to the closed account stops functioning.
Timing and what to expect after closure
The closure is final when ready. You cannot reopen the same account number — if you change your mind, you would need to open a new checking account, which gets a new account number. Bank of America does not have a grace period or undo option for closures done online.
You should see the account disappear from your account list within a few hours. Some statements or records may still show the account for a few months as Bank of America archives them, but you cannot access or use the account. If you need a record of transactions from the closed account, read or print your statements before you close it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my checking account hurt my credit score?
No. Closing a checking account does not affect your credit score because checking accounts do not appear on your credit report. Credit scores only track credit accounts like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit. Closing a checking account is a banking decision, not a credit decision.
What if I have a pending check that has not cleared yet?
Wait until the check clears before closing the account. If you close the account while a check is still pending, it will bounce when it arrives. Contact the person or business you wrote the check to and ask them to hold it or return it so you can issue a new one from a different account.
Can I close the account if I have an overdraft or negative balance?
No. You must bring the balance to zero or positive before closure. If the account is negative, you owe Bank of America money. You can pay the overdraft by transferring funds from another account, depositing cash, or using a debit card. Once the balance is zero or positive, you can close it.
Do I need to close my debit card separately?
No. The debit card is tied to the checking account, so it automatically stops working when the account closes. You do not need to call or take any action. straightforward throw away the card or cut it up.
What if I want to reopen the same account later?
You cannot reopen a closed account. If you change your mind, you would need to open a new checking account, which will have a different account number. Bank of America will treat it as a brand new account.