Yes, you can close most Bank of America accounts online through your digital banking portal
Bank of America lets you close checking and savings accounts through their website or mobile app without calling or visiting a branch. The process takes a few minutes, but there are a few things you need to do first — mainly making sure your account balance is zero and that no pending transactions are waiting to clear.
Not every account type can be closed online. If you have a retirement account (IRA), investment account, or credit card, you will need to call or visit a branch. The same goes if your account is frozen, has a negative balance, or is linked to an active loan.
Key Takeaways
- You can close checking and savings accounts online through the Bank of America website or mobile app, but only if your balance is zero and there are no pending transactions.
- Before closing, transfer any remaining money to another account and wait for all checks and automatic payments to clear.
- Retirement accounts, investment accounts, and credit cards cannot be closed online and require a phone call or branch visit.
- Once you request closure online, Bank of America will send you a confirmation email and may take a few business days to fully process the closure.
- If your account has a negative balance or is frozen, you must resolve that before closure is possible.
What you need to do before closing your account
Your Bank of America account must have a zero balance before you can close it online. This means transferring any money you have in the account to another bank account you own. You can do this through an external transfer, or by moving the money to another Bank of America account if you have one.
You also need to wait for all pending transactions to clear. This includes checks you have written, automatic bill payments, direct deposits, and any transfers you have initiated. If you close the account while transactions are still pending, those payments may fail or bounce. Bank of America typically shows pending transactions in your account history, so check there before you proceed.
If your account has a negative balance (meaning you owe Bank of America money), you cannot close it online. You will need to pay the negative balance first, then contact customer service to close the account. The same applies if your account is frozen or flagged for any reason.
The steps to close your account online
Log into your Bank of America account through the website or mobile app using your username and password. Navigate to the account settings or profile section — the exact location varies slightly between the website and app, but both have a settings menu where account management options appear.
Look for an option labeled "Close Account" or "Account Services." Bank of America groups this under account management rather than in a prominent menu, so you may need to scroll or search. Once you find it, select the account you want to close from your list of accounts.
Bank of America will ask you to confirm that your balance is zero and that you understand the account will be closed. You will also see a final review screen showing the account number and account type. Click the confirmation button to submit your closure request. You should receive an email confirmation within a few minutes.
What happens after you request closure
Bank of America processes online closure requests within one to three business days. During this time, your account will remain open but inactive. You will not be able to make new transactions, but any pending transactions that were already in the system may still process.
Once the closure is complete, Bank of America will send you a final confirmation email. Your debit card will stop working when ready after you submit the closure request, so do not rely on it for any purchases. If you have checks linked to the account, those will also stop working.
Bank of America will keep records of your closed account for a set period. If you need documentation of the closure or account history after the account is closed, you can request it through customer service.
When you cannot close your account online
Retirement accounts (traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA) must be closed by phone or in person. Bank of America has specific rules about how retirement funds are handled during closure, and these cannot be managed through the online portal. Call 1-800-432-1000 to speak with someone about closing a retirement account.
Investment accounts, brokerage accounts, and credit cards also require a phone call or branch visit. If you have an active Bank of America loan tied to your account, you cannot close the account until the loan is paid off or transferred elsewhere.
If your account shows a negative balance, is frozen, or has been flagged for fraud or suspicious activity, the online closure option will not appear. You will need to contact customer service at 1-800-432-1000 to resolve the issue first.
Alternatives if the online option does not work
If you cannot close your account online, you have two other options: call Bank of America customer service or visit a branch in person. The phone number for account services is 1-800-432-1000. Have your account number and identification ready when you call.
If you prefer to close your account in person, visit any Bank of America branch with a valid government-issued ID. Bring any debit cards or checks associated with the account. The branch staff can close most account types on the spot, though they may ask you to wait a few minutes while they process the request.
Closing by phone or in person takes about the same amount of time as closing online — usually a few minutes — but you get when ready confirmation rather than waiting for an email.
What to do with your direct deposits and automatic payments
Before you close your account, update any direct deposits (like paychecks or government benefits) to point to your new bank account. Contact your employer or the organization sending the deposit and provide your new account number and routing number. This usually takes one to two pay periods to take effect.
For automatic bill payments, log into each biller's website and update your payment method before you close the account. Do not rely on Bank of America to forward payments to your new bank — that does not happen automatically. If you miss updating a payment, it will fail and may result in a late fee.
If you have a lot of automatic payments, consider closing your account a few weeks after you have updated all of them. This gives you time to catch any you may have missed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my debit card when I close my account?
Your debit card stops working when ready after you submit the closure request online. If you have not already destroyed the card, you should cut it up or dispose of it securely. Bank of America does not automatically deactivate cards, so it is your responsibility to may support the card is not used.
Can I reopen a Bank of America account after closing it?
Yes, you can open a new account with Bank of America after closing one. However, if your account was closed due to fraud, suspicious activity, or a negative balance that was not paid, Bank of America may review your request more carefully or deny it. If you closed the account in good standing, opening a new one is straightforward.
How long does it take to close a Bank of America account online?
The online request takes a few minutes to submit, but Bank of America takes one to three business days to fully process the closure. You will receive an email confirmation once it is complete. If you need the account closed when ready, visiting a branch or calling customer service may be faster.
What if I have pending checks that have not cleared yet?
Wait for all checks to clear before closing your account. If you close while checks are still pending, they may bounce when they arrive at the bank. Check your transaction history to see which checks have cleared, and wait at least one week after writing a check before closing the account.
Do I need to close my account in the same state where I opened it?
No. Bank of America is a national bank, so you can close your account online from anywhere, or visit any Bank of America branch regardless of where you opened the account. Your account location does not matter for closure.