The basic steps to close your account

You can close a Bank of America checking account by calling their customer service line, visiting a branch in person, or using their online banking platform. The fastest method is usually a phone call — you'll reach someone who can process the closure when ready and answer questions about what happens to any remaining balance or pending transactions.

Bank of America's customer service number is on the back of your debit card or on their website. Have your account number ready when you call. If you go to a branch, bring a photo ID. Online closure is available through your account settings, though some account types may require a phone call or branch visit to complete the process.

Before you close the account, make sure you've withdrawn or transferred any remaining money, paid any outstanding checks or automatic payments, and confirmed there are no pending deposits. Once the account is closed, you won't be able to use the debit card or access the account online.

Key Takeaways

  • You can close your account by phone, in person at a branch, or through online banking, depending on your account type.
  • Withdraw or transfer your remaining balance before closing, and cancel any automatic payments or pending checks linked to the account.
  • Bank of America will send you a final statement showing the account closure and any remaining balance or fees.
  • If you have a negative balance or outstanding fees, the bank may hold the account open until those are resolved.

What to do with money still in the account

Any money remaining in your checking account must go somewhere before closure. You can withdraw cash at an ATM or teller window, transfer it to another bank account you own, or ask the representative to send you a check for the balance.

If you transfer to another account, make sure it's at a bank where you already have an account set up — the transfer usually takes one to three business days. If you request a check, ask how long it will take to arrive and whether there's a fee. Some people choose to leave a small balance and have the bank mail them a check after closure rather than making a separate trip.

Stopping automatic payments and pending checks

Before you close the account, go through your recent statements and identify any automatic payments, recurring subscriptions, or checks you've written that haven't cleared yet. These can cause problems if the account closes while they're still pending.

Contact any companies that have automatic payments set to this account — utilities, insurance, loan payments, streaming services — and update them with a new payment method or account number. For checks you've written, contact the recipient and ask them to hold off on depositing, or cancel the check through your bank if it hasn't been cashed yet.

If a payment tries to go through after closure, it will be rejected, which can result in late fees from the company or a negative mark on your record. Taking time to redirect these payments first prevents that problem.

What happens to your debit card

Your Bank of America debit card will stop working once the account is closed. If you have a replacement card on order, it will be cancelled. If you want to keep using a debit card, you'll need to open a new account or switch to a different bank.

You don't need to do anything special with the physical card — you can cut it up, shred it, or throw it away. Some people prefer to cut the card in half before discarding it for security reasons, though the account closure itself makes the card unusable.

Account closure fees and final statements

Bank of America does not charge a fee to close a checking account. However, if your account has a negative balance (you owe the bank money) or outstanding fees at the time of closure, the bank will keep the account open until those are paid or resolved.

After closure, you'll receive a final statement in the mail showing the account closure date and any remaining activity. Keep this statement for your records. If you had direct deposits set up, make sure you've redirected them to a new account before closing, since deposits to a closed account will be returned to the sender.

Reopening an account if you change your mind

If you close your account and later decide you want to use Bank of America again, you can open a new account. There's no penalty for closing and reopening, though you'll go through the full account opening process again, including identity verification.

The new account will have a different account number and routing number. If you had automatic payments or direct deposits set up with the old account number, you'll need to update those with the new information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my account online, or do I have to call or go to a branch?

Many Bank of America checking accounts can be closed through online banking. Log into your account, look for account settings or account management options, and follow the prompts. If you don't see a closure option online, or if the system tells you to contact customer service, call or visit a branch — some account types require phone or in-person closure.

What if I have a negative balance when I try to close?

Bank of America will not close the account until the negative balance is paid. You'll need to deposit money to bring the account to zero or positive before the closure can be completed. Once the balance is settled, you can proceed with closing.

How long does it take for the account to actually close?

The closure is usually processed when ready when you request it by phone or in person. Online closures may take one to two business days to finalize. You'll receive a confirmation email or letter confirming the closure date.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

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 checking or savings accounts. You can close a checking account without any impact on your credit.

What if I have pending transactions when I close the account?

Pending transactions that haven't cleared yet may still process after closure, which can cause problems. Before closing, wait for pending transactions to clear, or contact the merchant to cancel them. If a transaction does process after closure, contact Bank of America customer service to report it.