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 if your account has no pending transactions, no overdraft, and no linked services. If your account has complications — a negative balance, active direct deposits, or linked credit cards — you will need to resolve those first, and some situations require a phone call to complete the closure.

The online closure works because Bank of America's system can verify your identity through your login and confirm the account is in good standing. What "good standing" means in practice: zero balance (or you have paid any overdraft), no holds on the account, and no fraud flags. If any of those conditions are not met, the website will stop you and direct you to call or visit a branch instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Close your account through the Bank of America website or mobile app by going to Settings, then Account Services, then Close Account — no branch visit needed if the account is in good standing.
  • Your account must have a zero balance (or you must pay any overdraft) before you can close it online; Bank of America will not let you close an account that owes money.
  • If you have direct deposits, automatic payments, or linked credit cards tied to the account, cancel or redirect those before you attempt to close the account.
  • Bank of America will mail you a confirmation letter within five to seven business days; keep this letter in case you need proof the account is closed.
  • If the online closure is blocked, call 1-800-432-1000 to speak with someone who can close the account over the phone or explain what is preventing the closure.

Step-by-step process to close your account online

Log into your Bank of America account on the website or open the mobile app. On the website, go to the Settings icon (usually a gear symbol in the top right), then select Account Services. On the mobile app, tap the menu icon, then Settings, then Account Services. Look for the option that says Close Account or Manage Accounts.

Select the account you want to close from the list. Bank of America will show you the current balance and ask you to confirm. If the balance is not zero, you cannot proceed online — you will see a message telling you to bring the account to zero first or call customer service. If the balance is zero, click Confirm or Continue, and the system will ask you to verify your identity one more time (usually a security question or code sent to your phone).

After verification, Bank of America will display a final confirmation screen. Read it carefully: it will tell you the account will be closed when ready, any pending transactions may still process, and you will receive a written confirmation by mail. Click Close Account or the equivalent button to finish. The account closure is now in the system.

What to do before you close the account

Check for any automatic payments or recurring charges tied to the account. These include subscription services, gym memberships, insurance payments, utility bills, or loan payments. Log into each service and update the payment method to a different account or card, or cancel the service. If you do not do this, payments will fail and you may incur late fees or service interruptions.

Redirect any direct deposits. If your paycheck, government benefits, or other regular deposits go to this account, contact your employer or the paying organization and give them your new account number. This usually takes one to two pay periods to take effect, so do this at least a week before you close the account. If a direct deposit tries to post to a closed account, it will be rejected and returned to the sender, which can delay your money.

Check for linked credit cards or lines of credit. If you have a Bank of America credit card or home equity line of credit attached to this checking or savings account, you do not need to close those separately — closing the deposit account will not affect them. However, if the credit card uses the deposit account as its primary payment method, update the payment method in your credit card settings first.

Withdraw or transfer any remaining balance. If your account has a small balance (under $100), you can withdraw it in cash at an ATM or branch. For larger amounts, transfer the money to another account at Bank of America or another bank using the transfer tool in your account settings. This usually takes one to three business days. Do not leave money in the account when you close it — it will be mailed to you as a check, which takes longer.

When you cannot close the account online

Bank of America will block the online closure if your account has a negative balance (overdraft). You must pay the overdraft amount before you can close. You can do this by transferring money from another account, depositing cash at an ATM, or calling customer service to arrange a payment. Once the balance is zero or positive, try the online closure again.

If the account has a hold placed on it — usually because of suspected fraud, a legal claim, or a chargeback dispute — you cannot close it online. Bank of America will show you a message saying the account is restricted. Call 1-800-432-1000 and explain that you want to close the account. The representative can tell you why the hold is in place and what you need to do to remove it. Holds usually last 10 business days, but some can take longer if they are tied to an investigation.

If you have a business account, a joint account with someone who does not want to close it, or a trust or estate account, the online closure may not be available. Business accounts and joint accounts sometimes require all account holders to authorize the closure in writing. Call 1-800-432-1000 and ask what documentation you need to provide.

What happens after you close the account

Bank of America will send you a written confirmation letter within five to seven business days. This letter will state the account number, the closure date, and the final balance. Keep this letter for your records — you may need it to prove the account is closed if a company tries to charge it after closure, or if you need to dispute a transaction that posted after the closure date.

Any pending transactions that were in process when you closed the account may still post. For example, if you had a check that had not cleared yet, it will bounce and be returned to the person who wrote it. If you had a pending wire transfer or ACH payment, it will fail. This is why it is important to make sure all automatic payments are redirected before you close.

Your account number will not be reused for at least one year. This protects you if someone accidentally tries to deposit money to the closed account — the deposit will be rejected rather than going into a new account with the same number. If you need to open a new account at Bank of America, you will receive a new account number.

Closing a joint account

If the account is held jointly with another person, both account holders must authorize the closure. Bank of America will not let you close a joint account online if the other person has not given permission. You have two options: ask the other account holder to log in and close the account themselves (which closes it for both of you), or call 1-800-432-1000 and provide written authorization from the other person.

Written authorization usually means a signed letter from the other account holder saying they agree to close the account. Bank of America may ask you to mail this letter or bring it to a branch. This process takes longer than an online closure — typically two to three weeks. If the other account holder refuses to close the account and you cannot reach them, you may need to visit a branch in person to discuss your options with a manager.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I close my account and then need to access old statements?

Bank of America keeps closed account statements available online for seven years after closure. You can still log into your account and view them, even after the account is closed. read or print any statements you need before you close the account, just to be safe. After seven years, you can request older statements by calling 1-800-432-1000.

Can I reopen the account after I close it?

Yes, but only within a limited time window. If you close the account and change your mind within 30 days, you can call 1-800-432-1000 and ask to reopen it. After 30 days, the account is permanently closed and you will need to open a new account instead. The new account will have a different account number.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

Closing a checking or savings account does not affect your credit score because these accounts do not appear on your credit report. Only credit accounts (credit cards, loans, lines of credit) are reported to credit bureaus. Closing a deposit account has no impact on your credit.

What if a payment tries to post to my closed account?

The payment will be rejected and returned to the sender. If it is a bill payment, the company will likely send you a notice that the payment failed. You will need to set up a new payment method with that company. If it is a direct deposit like a paycheck, the sender will be notified and you will need to provide them with your new account information.

Do I need to close my debit card when I close my account?

Your debit card will stop working once the account is closed, but you do not need to take separate action to close it. Bank of America will deactivate it automatically. If you want to be extra cautious, you can call 1-800-432-1000 and ask them to cancel the card before you close the account, but this is not required.