You can close most Bank of America accounts online through your account settings, but the process depends on your account type and balance
Bank of America lets you close checking and savings accounts through their website or mobile app without calling or visiting a branch. The steps take about five minutes. However, you must have a zero balance first — the system will not let you close an account with money in it. If you have a negative balance (you owe the bank), you need to pay that before closing. Some account types, like investment or credit card accounts, cannot be closed online and require a phone call to 800-432-1000.
The online closure is permanent and when ready. Once you confirm, the account closes right away. Bank of America will not reopen it, so make sure you have moved all your money out and set up direct deposits or automatic payments elsewhere before you start.
Key Takeaways
- Your Bank of America account must have exactly a zero balance before you can close it online through the website or app.
- Checking and savings accounts close through your account settings; investment accounts and credit cards require a phone call to Bank of America.
- The closure is when ready and permanent — Bank of America will not reopen the account once you confirm.
- You should redirect any automatic deposits or payments to another account before closing, since the account will no longer exist.
- If you have a negative balance, you must pay what you owe before the system will let you close the account.
Steps to close your account online
Log into your Bank of America account on the website or open the mobile app. Navigate to your account settings — on the website, this is usually under "Account" or "Settings" in the top menu. On the mobile app, tap the menu icon and look for "Account Settings" or "Manage Accounts."
Find the account you want to close and select it. Look for an option that says "Close Account," "Account Services," or "More Options." Click or tap it. The system will show you the account balance and ask you to confirm that it is zero. If the balance is not zero, you cannot proceed — you must move the money out first or deposit money to cover a negative balance.
Once you confirm the balance is zero, Bank of America will ask you to state a reason for closing (optional) and confirm one more time that you want to close the account. After you confirm, the account closes when ready. You will receive a confirmation on screen and by email.
What to do before you close your account
Move all your money out first. Transfer funds to another bank account you control, or withdraw cash. Bank of America will not let you close the account until the balance is exactly zero, so this is a required step, not optional.
Check for automatic deposits. If your paycheck, government benefits, or other regular deposits go to this account, you need to change the deposit instructions before you close it. Contact your employer, the Social Security Administration, or whoever sends the money and give them your new account number. This usually takes one to two business days to take effect.
Check for automatic payments. Look at your recent statements to see which bills or subscriptions are set to pay from this account. Update each one with a new payment method or account number. Do not close the account while payments are still scheduled to come out — they will fail, and you may face late fees or service interruptions.
Wait for any pending transactions to clear. If you have written checks that have not cleared yet, or if you made a debit card purchase that is still processing, wait for those to post before closing. Closing an account with pending transactions can cause them to bounce.
When you cannot close your account online
Investment accounts, brokerage accounts, and credit cards cannot be closed through the website or app. You must call Bank of America at 800-432-1000 to close these. Have your account number ready.
If you have a negative balance (you owe the bank money), you cannot close the account online until you pay what you owe. Deposit the amount needed to bring the balance to zero, then proceed with the online closure. If you are unsure of the exact amount, call 800-432-1000 and ask.
If the online closure option does not appear in your account settings, the account type may not support online closure. This sometimes happens with older account types or accounts with special features. Call 800-432-1000 to close it by phone instead.
What happens after you close your account
The account is gone when ready. You cannot access it, and you cannot reopen it. Bank of America will not restore a closed account under any circumstances, so if you realize you made a mistake, you will need to open a new account.
You will receive a final statement by mail within 30 days. Keep this for your records. It shows the final balance and the closure date.
If you had a debit card linked to the account, it will stop working right away. Destroy the card or wait for it to expire. If you had checks printed for this account, do not use them — they will be rejected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I have a pending check that has not cleared yet?
Wait for the check to clear before closing the account. If you close the account while a check is still pending, it will bounce when it arrives, and the person who wrote it will face a returned check fee. Check your recent transactions to see if any checks are still processing.
Can I close my account if I have a negative balance?
No. You must pay the negative balance first to bring the account to zero. Deposit the amount you owe, wait for it to post, then close the account. If you are unsure of the exact amount owed, call 800-432-1000.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a checking or savings account does not affect your credit score. Bank of America does not report checking or savings accounts to credit bureaus. However, closing a credit card account can affect your score, so consider whether you want to close a credit card before you do.
What if my direct deposit goes to this account and I forget to change it?
Your next paycheck will be rejected, and your employer will be notified that the account does not exist. Contact your employer or payroll department when ready and provide your new account number. They can usually resubmit the deposit within one or two business days.
Can I close my account on the mobile app instead of the website?
Yes. The process is the same on both. Open the Bank of America app, go to Account Settings, select the account you want to close, and follow the prompts. The account closes when ready on either platform.