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 real time — your account closes when ready once you confirm. You do not need to wait for a letter or call back.
Before you close, make sure your account balance is zero. If you have money in the account, transfer it to another bank account first. If you have pending transactions or automatic payments set up, those can still process after closure and create problems, so cancel or redirect them beforehand.
Bank of America will not charge you a fee to close a checking account. There is no penalty for closing early, even if you opened the account recently.
Key Takeaways
- You can close your account through the Bank of America website or mobile app by going to your account settings and selecting the close account option.
- Your account must have a zero balance before closure — transfer any remaining money to another account first.
- Cancel any automatic payments or transfers linked to the account before you close it, because transactions can still process afterward.
- The account closes when ready once you confirm; you do not need to wait for confirmation by mail or phone.
- Bank of America charges no fee to close a checking account at any time.
Steps to close your account through the Bank of America app or website
Log into your Bank of America account on their website or open the mobile app. Go to the account you want to close and look for account settings or account details — this is usually found by tapping the account name or a gear icon.
Look for an option that says "Close Account" or "Close This Account." Click or tap it. Bank of America will show you a confirmation screen that lists your account number and current balance. If your balance is not zero, you cannot proceed — go back and transfer the remaining money out first.
Once your balance is zero, confirm that you want to close the account. Bank of America will ask you to confirm a second time. After you confirm, the account closes when ready and you will see a confirmation message on screen. Keep a record of this confirmation or take a screenshot for your records.
What to do with direct deposits and automatic payments before closing
Any automatic payments or transfers set up on the account will not process after closure — but the timing matters. If you have a bill due in the next few days that is set to pay from this account, change the payment method to a different account or card before you close. Otherwise the payment will fail and you may be charged a late fee by the company you owe.
If you receive direct deposit paychecks, update your employer or payroll provider with your new bank account information before you close this account. Direct deposits to a closed account will be rejected and sent back to your employer, which can delay your paycheck.
Log into any services that have this account on file — utilities, insurance, subscriptions, loan payments — and update them with a different payment method. This prevents failed transactions and overdraft fees.
What happens to checks and debit cards after closure
Your debit card will stop working when ready once the account closes. You do not need to do anything with it — just stop using it. You can throw it away or shred it.
Any checks you have printed for this account will not clear after the account closes. If you have written checks that have not been cashed yet, contact the people or businesses you wrote them to and let them know the account is closed. Provide them with a new account number or payment method instead.
If someone tries to cash a check from your closed account, the bank will reject it and mark it as "account closed." The check will be returned to the person who tried to deposit it.
Closing a joint account or account with overdraft protection
If the account is a joint account, both account holders usually need to consent to closure. Bank of America may require both of you to close it together, or they may allow one person to close it online while notifying the other. Check your account settings to see what Bank of America shows — if you cannot close it yourself, you will need to contact the bank or visit a branch with the other account holder.
If you have overdraft protection linked to this account — meaning overdrafts are covered by another account or a line of credit — closing the account will remove that protection. Make sure you do not have overdraft protection set up on any other accounts that depend on this one as a backup.
If you cannot close the account online
Some accounts cannot be closed through the app or website. This usually happens if the account has a pending dispute, a hold placed by the bank, or an outstanding balance owed to Bank of America. If you see an error message when you try to close, the message will usually tell you why.
If the account has a hold or dispute, contact Bank of America to resolve it first. You can call their customer service line at the number on the back of your debit card or visit a local branch. Once the issue is resolved, you should be able to close the account online.
If you prefer not to close online or run into a problem, you can also close the account by visiting a Bank of America branch in person or by calling their customer service number. A representative can close it over the phone, though you may need to verify your identity.
What to expect after your account closes
Bank of America will send you a confirmation letter in the mail within a few days. Keep this letter for your records — it shows the date the account closed and your final balance.
The account will disappear from your online banking dashboard and mobile app within 24 hours. You will no longer be able to log in and view it, but Bank of America keeps records of closed accounts for their own purposes.
If you need a copy of your account history or statements after closure, you can request them from Bank of America. They can provide statements for the time the account was open. There is usually no fee for this, but it may take a few business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my checking account hurt my credit score?
Closing a checking account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit history — loans, credit cards, and payment history. Checking accounts are not reported to credit bureaus, so closing one has no impact on your credit.
Can I reopen the account after I close it?
Bank of America may let you reopen a closed account within a certain time frame, but this depends on why it was closed and how long ago. If you closed it yourself, contact Bank of America to ask whether they can reopen it. If the account was closed by the bank due to inactivity or policy violations, reopening may not be possible.
What if I have a pending check that has not cleared yet?
Wait until all checks have cleared before you close the account. If you close while a check is still pending, it will bounce when the person tries to cash it. Contact anyone you wrote a check to and ask them to hold off on depositing it, or provide them with a new payment method.
Do I need to close my account in person or can I do it entirely online?
You can close your account entirely online through the Bank of America app or website. You do not need to visit a branch or call anyone. The only exception is if the account has a hold or dispute — in that case, you may need to contact the bank first to resolve the issue.
How long does it take for the account to actually close?
The account closes when ready when you confirm closure online. You will see a confirmation message right away. Bank of America will send you a paper confirmation letter within a few days, but the account is already closed and unusable at that moment.