The basic steps to close a Bank of America checking 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 to 1-800-432-1000, where a representative can walk you through the closure and answer questions about what happens to your balance and any pending transactions. If you prefer to do it in person, any Bank of America branch can process the closure on the spot.

Before you close the account, you need to move any remaining money out and make sure no automatic payments or direct deposits are still tied to it. Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding balance or pending transactions, so you may need to wait a few days after your last transaction clears before the closure is final.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-800-432-1000, visit a branch, or use online banking to start the closure process.
  • Transfer or withdraw all remaining funds before closing, since the account cannot be closed with a balance.
  • Stop any automatic payments, direct deposits, or recurring charges linked to the account at least a few days before closure.
  • Ask for written confirmation of the closure, which you should keep for your records.
  • If the account is overdrawn or has pending disputes, Bank of America may delay closure until those are resolved.

What to do with your remaining balance

Any money still in the account must go somewhere before closure. You can transfer it to another Bank of America account you own, move it to a different bank, or withdraw it in cash at a branch or ATM. If you choose to transfer to another bank, initiate the transfer at least three to five business days before you plan to close, since transfers between different banks take time to clear.

If you have a small balance and forget about it, Bank of America will not automatically close the account. The account will remain open and inactive. Some inactive accounts may eventually be subject to dormancy fees depending on your account type, so it is better to close it formally than to abandon it.

Stopping automatic payments and direct deposits

Before you close the account, contact any company that automatically withdraws money from it—utilities, subscriptions, insurance, loan payments—and update your payment method with them. Similarly, if you have a paycheck or government benefits deposited directly to this account, contact your employer or the benefits administrator and provide them with a new account number or payment method.

Bank of America recommends doing this at least a week before you plan to close the account. If a payment tries to go through after closure, it will be rejected, and you may face late fees or service interruptions with that company. The responsibility to redirect these payments falls on you, not on the bank.

Closing the account by phone

Call 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your checking account. Have your account number ready, and be prepared to answer security questions to verify your identity. The representative will confirm that your balance is zero and that there are no pending transactions, then process the closure.

The entire call usually takes five to ten minutes. At the end, ask the representative to email or mail you a written confirmation of the closure. This confirmation serves as proof that the account is closed and can be useful if you later receive a bill or notice related to the old account number.

Closing the account in person at a branch

Walk into any Bank of America branch with a photo ID and your debit card or account number. Tell a teller you want to close your checking account. They will verify your identity, confirm your balance is zero, and process the closure on the spot. This method is useful if you want to withdraw cash at the same time or if you prefer to handle it face-to-face.

Bring any outstanding checks or debit cards associated with the account so the teller can destroy them. If you have checks that have not cleared, ask the teller what happens to them after closure—in most cases, they will still be honored if they were written before the closure date, but it is better to know in advance.

What happens if your account is overdrawn or has a dispute

Bank of America will not close an account that has a negative balance. If you owe the bank money, you must pay the overdraft before closure. Similarly, if there is an open dispute—a contested charge, a fraud claim, or a chargeback—the account will remain open until the dispute is resolved, which can take 30 to 90 days.

If you are in this situation, ask the representative or teller how long the hold-up is expected to last and what you need to do to move the closure forward. In the meantime, you can stop using the account and move your regular deposits and payments elsewhere.

After the account is closed

Once closed, the account number is deactivated and cannot be reused. Any checks written on that account after the closure date will bounce. If you receive mail from Bank of America or another company referencing the old account number after closure, contact them with your new account information or let them know the account is closed.

Keep your closure confirmation letter for at least one year. If a company claims you owe money on the closed account or if you need to prove the account is closed for any reason, this letter is your documentation. You can also log into your online banking to verify the account no longer appears in your account list, though it may take 24 to 48 hours for the system to fully update.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 closure. However, the old account number cannot be reactivated. You will need to open a completely new account, which means a new account number and a new debit card.

What if I close my account but still have checks outstanding?

Checks written before the closure date will usually still be honored by Bank of America, even after the account is closed, as long as the check is presented within the normal timeframe (usually six months). However, it is safer to wait until all outstanding checks have cleared before you close the account.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

No. Closing a checking account does not affect your credit score because checking accounts are not reported to credit bureaus. Your credit is only impacted by credit products like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit.

How long does it take for a Bank of America checking account to fully close?

The closure itself is when ready once you complete the process, but it may take 24 to 48 hours for the account to disappear from your online banking and for the system to fully process the closure. If there are pending transactions, the account may remain open until those clear.

What if I forgot about a Bank of America checking account I opened years ago?

Contact Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and provide your Social Security number or the account number if you have it. A representative can look up the account, tell you the current balance, and help you close it. If there is money in it, they can help you withdraw or transfer it.