Yes, you can close most Bank of America accounts online through your computer or the mobile app

Bank of America lets you close checking and savings accounts without visiting a branch or calling. You do this through your online banking portal or the Bank of America mobile app. The process takes a few minutes, but there are a few things you need to do first to avoid problems.

Not every account type can be closed online — if you have a retirement account, investment account, or credit card, you will need to call or visit a branch. But for standard deposit accounts, online closure is available.

Key Takeaways

  • You can close checking and savings accounts online through Bank of America's website or mobile app, but retirement and investment accounts require a phone call or branch visit.
  • Before closing, you must withdraw or transfer all your money, set up direct deposits elsewhere if you receive paychecks, and make sure no automatic payments are still linked to the account.
  • The account closes when ready after you submit the request online, so confirm you have moved everything out first.
  • If you have pending checks or outstanding transfers, wait for those to clear before closing to avoid overdraft fees or rejected payments.
  • Bank of America will send you a confirmation letter by mail within a few days, and you should keep it for your records.

What you need to do before closing

The most common mistake is closing an account while money is still in it or while automatic payments are still running. Before you start the closure process, withdraw or transfer all remaining funds to another account. This includes any small balance you might have forgotten about.

Next, check whether any automatic payments or recurring transfers are still linked to this account. This includes direct deposits from your employer, automatic bill payments, subscription charges, or transfers you set up to another account. You need to update all of these before closing. Contact your employer's payroll department to change where your paycheck goes, and log into each service (utilities, insurance, streaming apps, etc.) to update the payment method.

If you have checks you wrote that have not cleared yet, wait until they do. The same goes for any transfers you initiated that are still pending. Closing the account while these are in flight can cause them to bounce or fail, which may trigger overdraft fees or late payments on bills.

Steps to close your account online

Through the Bank of America website: Log into your account at bankofamerica.com. Go to Settings (usually found in the upper right corner or in a menu). Look for "Close Account" or "Account Services." Select the account you want to close. Bank of America will ask you to confirm that the account balance is zero and that you have moved any automatic payments. Review the information, then submit the closure request.

Through the Bank of America mobile app: Open the app and log in. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines). Go to Settings. Select "Close Account" or look under Account Services. Choose the account you want to close and follow the same confirmation steps.

The account closes when ready after you submit the request. You will receive a confirmation number on screen — write this down or take a screenshot. Bank of America will also send you a written confirmation in the mail within a few business days.

What happens after you close

Once the account is closed, you cannot use the debit card, write checks, or make transfers from it. Any pending transactions that were supposed to go to this account will fail. This is why it is so important to move automatic payments before you close.

Bank of America will keep records of the closed account for your file. If you need a statement or proof that the account is closed, you can request it through your online banking portal or by calling customer service. Keep the confirmation letter they send you — it serves as proof of closure if a company later claims you still owe them money or if there is a dispute about a payment.

When you cannot close online

If you have a retirement account (IRA, Roth IRA, SEP-IRA), you must close it by phone or in person. The same applies to investment accounts, brokerage accounts, and credit cards. Call Bank of America at the number on the back of your card or statement, or visit a local branch.

If your account is overdrawn or has a negative balance, Bank of America may not let you close it online. You will need to bring the account to zero first, or call to discuss the situation. If the account is frozen due to fraud or a legal hold, you cannot close it until that is resolved.

What to do if something goes wrong

If you submitted a closure request but the account is still open after a few days, log back in and check the status. Sometimes the system shows a pending closure that takes longer than expected. If it has been more than a week and the account is still active, call Bank of America customer service at the number on your statement.

If you realize you closed the account by mistake, you cannot reopen it online. You will need to call or visit a branch to discuss your options. Bank of America may be able to reopen it within a short window, but this is not may provide. It is faster to prevent this by double-checking everything before you submit the closure request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to close my account in person?

No. Bank of America lets you close most checking and savings accounts online through the website or app. You only need to visit a branch or call if you have a retirement account, investment account, or credit card, or if your account has a problem that prevents online closure.

What if I have a pending check that has not cleared?

Wait until the check clears before closing the account. If you close while a check is still pending, it may bounce when it arrives at the bank, which can trigger overdraft fees and cause problems with whoever you wrote the check to. You can check pending transactions in your online banking portal.

Will closing my account hurt my credit?

Closing a checking or savings account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on borrowing and repayment history, not on deposit accounts. However, if you close an account and a bill payment bounces because of it, that could eventually hurt your credit if it goes unpaid.

How long does it take to close an account?

The account closes when ready after you submit the request online. You will see a confirmation number right away. Bank of America sends a written confirmation letter within a few business days, but the account is already closed as soon as you finish the online process.

Can I reopen an account after I close it?

If you realize you made a mistake right away, call Bank of America to see if they can reopen it. There is usually a short window to do this, but it is not may provide. If you wait too long, you will have to open a new account instead. It is better to be certain before you close.