You can close a Bank of America account by phone, in person, or online, but the method depends on the account type and whether you have outstanding balances or holds

Bank of America lets you close most checking and savings accounts through three routes: calling their customer service line, visiting a branch in person, or using their online banking portal. The fastest is usually a phone call to the number on the back of your debit card, which takes 10 to 15 minutes. In-person closure at a branch takes longer but gives you a receipt and lets you handle any remaining balance when ready. Online closure is available for some account types but not all — if the option doesn't appear in your settings, you'll need to use phone or branch.

Before you close, withdraw or transfer any remaining balance, confirm there are no pending transactions or holds on the account, and make sure you've received all statements you need for tax or record-keeping purposes. If you have a credit card with Bank of America, closing a checking or savings account does not close the card — you'll need to handle that separately if you want it closed.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the number on your debit card, visit a branch, or log into online banking to request closure — phone is usually fastest.
  • Empty the account completely before closing, including any pending direct deposits or automatic payments you've set up.
  • Bank of America may hold your account open for 30 days after closure to process any outstanding checks or transfers.
  • If you have an outstanding balance, overdraft fees, or fraud holds, the bank may refuse to close until those are resolved.
  • Closing a checking or savings account does not close any credit cards, loans, or other products linked to your Bank of America profile.

Closing by phone or in person

Call 1-800-432-1000 (the main customer service number) or the number on the back of your debit card. Have your account number and a form of ID ready. Tell the representative you want to close the account. They will ask why you're closing, confirm your identity, and check for any holds, pending transactions, or outstanding balances. If the account is clear, they'll process the closure when ready and give you a confirmation number — write this down.

If you prefer to close in person, visit any Bank of America branch with your ID and debit card. The teller will verify your identity, check the account status, and process the closure. You'll receive a receipt showing the final balance and closure date. This method works well if you have cash to withdraw or need to discuss account issues before closing.

Both methods take 5 to 15 minutes if the account is in good standing. If there are holds, pending transactions, or overdraft fees, the representative will explain what needs to be resolved first — you may need to make a payment or wait for a hold to clear before closure is possible.

Closing through online banking

Log into your Bank of America online account and navigate to Settings or Account Management (the exact location varies by account type). Look for a "Close Account" or "Account Services" option. Not all account types offer online closure — if you don't see the option, you'll need to call or visit a branch instead.

If the option is available, click it and follow the prompts. The system will show your current balance and ask you to confirm closure. You'll receive an on-screen confirmation number. However, online closure does not process when ready — Bank of America typically takes 1 to 3 business days to finalize the closure after you submit the request online. If you need the account closed urgently, phone or in-person closure is faster.

What to do before you close

Withdraw or transfer your full balance to another account. Even a few cents left in the account can delay closure or trigger a final statement. If you have direct deposits set up (paychecks, benefits, tax refunds), change the deposit destination to your new bank account before closing — deposits sent to a closed account are returned to the sender, which can delay paychecks or benefits.

Cancel any automatic payments or bill pay transactions linked to the account. Log into your online banking and check the Bill Pay section for scheduled payments. Contact any companies that deduct from this account (utilities, subscriptions, insurance) and give them your new account number. Payments that process after closure will bounce and may trigger overdraft fees on your new account.

Request a final statement or read statements you need for taxes, loan applications, or record-keeping. Bank of America typically keeps statements available online for seven years, but downloading them now ensures you have a copy. If you have checks linked to the account, stop using them when ready — checks presented after closure will be rejected.

What happens after you request closure

Bank of America usually finalizes closure within 5 to 10 business days, though the account may remain open for up to 30 days to process outstanding checks or transfers. During this period, you can still access the account online, but you cannot make new deposits or withdrawals. Any checks you've written that haven't cleared yet will still process against the account during this window.

You'll receive a final statement showing the closure date and any remaining balance (which will be mailed to you or made available online). If there's a balance remaining, Bank of America will mail a check to your address on file — this can take 1 to 2 weeks. If the address is incorrect, update it before closing or call customer service after closure to provide a new address.

When Bank of America may refuse to close your account

The bank can decline closure if you have an outstanding balance, unpaid overdraft fees, or active fraud holds. If there's a negative balance (you owe the bank money), you must pay it before closure. If there are pending disputes or chargebacks, the account may stay open until those are resolved — this can take 30 to 60 days.

If you've had recent fraud reported on the account, Bank of America may place a temporary hold that prevents closure. Contact the fraud department to ask when the hold will be lifted. If you're closing because of fraud concerns, ask the representative whether you should close the linked debit card as well and request a new one for any remaining accounts.

Closing a joint account

If the account is joint (held with another person), both account holders must request closure together, either in person or by phone. Bank of America will not close a joint account based on one person's request alone. If the other account holder is unavailable or unwilling to close, you have limited options — you can remove yourself as an authorized user (if that's an option for your account type) or contact Bank of America to discuss alternatives.

When closing a joint account, the final balance must be divided between the account holders. Decide in advance how the remaining funds will be split and whether one person will withdraw the full amount and transfer the other's share, or whether both will be present to divide it. The bank will not split the balance automatically — you must handle this yourselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reopen a Bank of America account after closing it?

Yes, but only within a limited window. If you close the account and change your mind within 30 days, you can contact Bank of America to reopen it. After 30 days, the account is permanently closed and you'll need to open a new account instead. Reopening is faster than opening new, so call when ready if you realize you've made a mistake.

What happens to my debit card when I close the account?

Your debit card will stop working when ready after closure is processed. Destroy the card by cutting it in half or shredding it. If you have a PIN or online access set up, those will also be disabled. If you're keeping other Bank of America accounts open, you can request a new debit card for those accounts.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

Closing a checking or savings account does not directly affect your credit score — these accounts don't appear on your credit report. However, if you close the account while owing an overdraft fee or balance, that debt may be reported and could impact your score. Pay any outstanding balance before closure to avoid this.

How long does it take to receive a refund check after closing?

If there's a remaining balance, Bank of America mails a check to your address on file within 1 to 2 weeks of closure. If you don't receive it within three weeks, call customer service with your closure confirmation number and provide an updated address if needed. The check is valid for 180 days from the date issued.

Can I close my account if I have a pending dispute or chargeback?

Bank of America will typically hold the account open until the dispute is resolved, which can take 30 to 60 days. You can request closure, but the bank may decline until the dispute is finalized. Ask the representative for an estimated resolution date and whether you can close once that date passes.