You can close a Bank of America checking account online through your account settings, but only if you meet certain conditions
Bank of America lets you close a checking account through their website or mobile app without calling or visiting a branch — but only if your account is in good standing and has a zero balance. If you have an outstanding balance, pending transactions, or an overdraft, you will need to call or go to a branch instead. The process takes a few minutes once you start, and the account closes when ready.
Before you close the account, make sure any automatic payments or direct deposits linked to it are moved to another account. Bank of America will not automatically redirect them, and missed payments or lost deposits can happen if you do not update them first. You should also withdraw or transfer any remaining funds, pay off any negative balance, and wait for any pending transactions to clear.
Key Takeaways
- You can close your checking account online only if it has a zero balance and is not overdrawn or flagged for fraud or other issues.
- Before closing, update any automatic bill payments, direct deposits, and recurring transfers to your new account or another bank.
- Closing the account through the app or website takes effect when ready, and you will receive a confirmation email.
- If your account has a balance, overdraft, or pending transactions, you must call 1-800-432-1000 or visit a branch to close it.
- Bank of America may hold your account open for a short time after you request closure if there are outstanding checks or pending items.
Steps to close your account through the Bank of America app or website
Log into your Bank of America account on the website or mobile app. Navigate to the account settings or account details page — on the website, this is usually under "Settings" in the top right corner, and on the app, it is in the menu under "Account Services" or "Manage Accounts."
Find the checking account you want to close and 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 the account number and asks you to confirm that you want to close it. Review the information to make sure you are closing the right account, then confirm. The account closes when ready, and you will receive a confirmation email within a few minutes.
Keep the confirmation email for your records. If you need proof of closure later — for example, to show a creditor or to open an account elsewhere — you can refer back to this email or contact Bank of America to request a written statement.
What you must do before closing the account
Transfer or withdraw all remaining money in the account. If there is any balance left, even a few cents, the online closure option will not work, and you will have to call or visit a branch. You can transfer money to another Bank of America account or to an account at a different bank using an external transfer or a wire.
Update any automatic bill payments that are set to come from this checking account. Log into each biller's website or app — your utility company, insurance provider, credit card issuer, loan servicer, or any other service that pulls money from this account — and change the payment method to your new account or a different bank account. This step is critical: if you close the account while payments are still scheduled, the payments will fail, and you could face late fees or service interruptions.
Redirect any direct deposits to another account. If your employer or any other source deposits money into this checking account, contact them and provide your new account number and routing number. Direct deposits can take one or two pay cycles to update, so make this change well before you close the account.
Check for any pending transactions or outstanding checks. If you have written checks that have not yet cleared, or if there are pending charges that have not posted, wait for them to clear before closing the account. Bank of America may hold the account open for a short time to allow these items to process, but it is safer to wait until you see them posted in your transaction history.
When you cannot close your account online
If your account has a negative balance — meaning you owe Bank of America money — you cannot close it online. You must pay the overdraft amount first, either by transferring money from another account or by depositing cash at a branch. Once the balance is zero, you can close the account online.
If your account is flagged for fraud, suspicious activity, or a compliance issue, Bank of America will not let you close it through the app or website. You will need to call 1-800-432-1000 and speak with a representative who can address the issue and help you close the account. This can take longer than an online closure.
If you have a linked savings account, credit card, or other product that is tied to this checking account, you may not be able to close the checking account online without first removing the link or closing the other account. Check your account settings to see if there are any linked products, and contact Bank of America if you are unsure whether they will prevent closure.
What happens after you close the account
The account closes when ready, and you will no longer be able to use the debit card, write checks, or access the account through the app or website. Any pending transactions that have not yet posted will still process, and Bank of America will pay them from the account if there is enough money. If a transaction comes in after the account is closed and there is no money to cover it, it will be rejected.
Bank of America will send you a final statement showing all transactions up to the closure date. This statement will be available in your online banking history for a limited time, usually 12 months. If you need a copy after that, you can contact Bank of America and request an archived statement.
Your account number and routing number will no longer work for any new transactions. If you have set up automatic payments or transfers using this account number, they will fail. This is why updating all automatic payments and direct deposits before closing is so important.
Closing the account by phone or in person
If you cannot close your account online, call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000. A representative will verify your identity, review your account to make sure it is may be able to access for closure, and process the closure over the phone. This usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. You will receive a confirmation number and a confirmation email.
You can also visit any Bank of America branch in person and ask to close your checking account. Bring a government-issued ID and any debit cards associated with the account. A banker will verify your identity, check your account balance, and close the account on the spot. This is the fastest option if you have an outstanding balance or other issues that prevent online closure, because the banker can sometimes resolve the issue and close the account in the same visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my checking account hurt my credit score?
Closing a checking account does not affect your credit score because checking accounts are not reported to credit bureaus. Your credit score is based on credit accounts like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit. However, if you have an outstanding balance or overdraft on the checking account, paying it off is important to avoid collection activity.
How long does it take to close a Bank of America checking account?
If you close the account online, it closes when ready and you will receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. If you close it by phone or in person, the closure is also when ready, though the confirmation email may take a few hours to arrive. Any pending transactions can take a few more days to clear after the account is closed.
Can I reopen a Bank of America checking account after I close it?
Yes, you can open a new checking account with Bank of America at any time after you close one. However, if your account was closed due to fraud, suspicious activity, or a compliance issue, Bank of America may review your history before allowing you to open a new account. Opening a new account is a separate process and does not automatically restore your old account.
What if I close my account but a check I wrote comes in after closure?
If a check is presented for payment after your account is closed, Bank of America will reject it and mark it as "account closed." The check will be returned to the person or business that tried to deposit it, and they will see that the account is no longer active. This is why it is important to wait for all outstanding checks to clear before closing the account.
Do I need to destroy my debit card after closing the account?
You do not have to destroy your debit card, but it is a good idea to cut it up or shred it to prevent accidental use or fraud. The card will no longer work once the account is closed, but destroying it removes any risk of confusion or misuse.