Bank of America does not charge a fee to close a checking account

You can close your Bank of America checking account at any time without paying a closure fee. The bank does not impose penalties for closing accounts, whether you close in person at a branch, by phone, or by mail. What you may owe depends on your account balance and whether you have outstanding transactions — not on the act of closing itself.

The process itself is straightforward: you tell the bank you want to close, they confirm your account has no pending transactions, and they either send you a check for any remaining balance or transfer it to another account you specify. The entire conversation typically takes 10 to 15 minutes if you close in person, or about the same on the phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America charges no fee to close a checking account, whether you close online, by phone, or in a branch.
  • You must have a zero or positive balance before closing; if you owe money, you will need to cover the debt first.
  • Any remaining balance will be mailed to you as a check or transferred to another account, usually within 5 to 10 business days.
  • If you close an account and later receive a check or debit for a transaction you forgot about, the bank may reopen the account temporarily to process it.

What happens to your money when you close

Before Bank of America will close your account, your balance must be zero or positive. If you have overdrafts or outstanding fees, you must pay those first. Once the balance is settled, the bank will handle any remaining funds according to your instructions.

You can ask the bank to transfer the balance to another account — either another Bank of America account or an account at a different bank. If you choose a transfer, it typically posts within 3 to 5 business days. Alternatively, the bank will mail you a check for the remaining balance, which takes 5 to 10 business days to arrive depending on mail speed and processing time.

If you have automatic payments or direct deposits set up on the account, you should redirect those before closing. The bank will not automatically forward them, and payments may fail or be rejected after the account closes.

How to close your account: three methods

In person at a branch: Bring a valid ID and go to any Bank of America branch during business hours. Tell a representative you want to close your checking account. They will verify your identity, confirm your balance, and ask how you want the remaining funds handled. This is the fastest method if you want to walk out with a check or confirm the transfer when ready.

By phone: Call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000. Have your account number and a valid ID ready. The representative will verify your identity, check your balance, and process the closure. You will need to provide instructions for your remaining balance — either a mailing address for a check or another account number for a transfer.

By mail: Write a letter to Bank of America requesting account closure. Include your account number, the account holder's name, and instructions for the remaining balance. Mail it to your local branch or to the address on your most recent statement. This method is slowest; allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing.

What to do before you close

Review your account for any pending transactions. Check your recent statements and look for subscriptions, automatic payments, or recurring charges that might still be processing. If you close the account while a payment is in flight, it may fail or bounce, which can trigger overdraft fees or cause the merchant to retry the charge.

Update any services that use this account for payment or direct deposit. This includes your employer's payroll system, insurance companies, utility providers, and subscription services. Change these to your new account number before you close, or you risk missing payments or having deposits go to the wrong place.

If you have a debit card linked to the account, it will stop working after closure. Destroy the card or wait for it to expire. If you have checks printed for this account, stop using them when ready — checks may still be presented after the account closes, and the bank will reject them.

Overdraft fees and negative balances

If your account is overdrawn when you request closure, you cannot close until the negative balance is paid. Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding debt. You must deposit enough money to bring the balance to zero, or the closure request will be denied.

If you have overdraft fees that have not yet posted, those will be deducted from your balance before closure. For example, if you have $50 in the account and a $35 overdraft fee pending, your final balance will be $15 after the fee is applied. The bank will then send you a check for $15 or transfer it to another account.

What happens if a transaction arrives after closure

Occasionally, a check or debit clears after you have closed the account. If this happens, the bank may temporarily reopen the account to process the transaction. You will be notified, and the account will be closed again once the transaction is complete. If the reopened account goes negative, you may be responsible for overdraft fees.

This is why it is important to wait a few weeks after closure before assuming all transactions are done. If you know a check is outstanding, tell the bank about it before closing, or wait until you are certain it has cleared.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my Bank of America checking account online?

Bank of America does not offer account closure through its online banking portal or mobile app. You must close in person at a branch, by phone, or by mail. Phone closure is usually fastest if you cannot visit a branch.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

No. Closing a checking account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit history — loans, credit cards, and payment history — not on deposit accounts. Closing a checking account leaves no mark on your credit report.

What if I owe Bank of America money on a different account?

You can still close your checking account. Debts on other accounts (credit cards, loans, lines of credit) do not prevent you from closing a checking account. However, the bank may explore any remaining balance in the checking account to pay down debt on other accounts if you have authorized that.

How long does it take to close an account after I request it?

If you close in person or by phone, the account is typically closed the same day or within one business day. If you close by mail, allow 2 to 3 weeks. The time to receive your remaining balance depends on the method: transfers take 3 to 5 business days, checks take 5 to 10 business days.

Can I reopen a closed Bank of America checking account?

Yes, you can open a new checking account at Bank of America at any time. However, you cannot reopen the exact same account. You will open a new account with a new account number. If you closed recently and want the same account back, contact the bank to ask about options, though reopening the original account is not standard.