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 their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000, at any branch in person, or through your online banking portal. Before you close, you need to withdraw or transfer any remaining balance, pay off any overdrafts or fees, and make sure no automatic payments or direct deposits are still linked to the account. The actual closure takes a few minutes once those conditions are met, though it may take 5 to 10 business days for the account to fully disappear from their system.
If you have a credit card, investment account, or mortgage with Bank of America, those close through different processes and different departments. This guide covers deposit accounts only — checking, savings, and money market accounts.
Key Takeaways
- You must have a zero balance and no pending transactions before Bank of America will close your account.
- Calling 1-800-432-1000 is the fastest route for most people and takes about 10 minutes once you have your account details ready.
- If you have automatic bill payments or direct deposits set up, you need to redirect them to another account before closing or they will fail.
- Closed accounts stay on your record for seven years, so the bank can still contact you about unpaid fees or disputes that arise after closure.
What you need to do before you call or visit
Empty the account completely. Transfer or withdraw every dollar, including any interest that has posted. Bank of America will not close an account with a balance, even a small one. If you have pending deposits or checks that haven't cleared yet, wait until they do, then withdraw the total.
Pay any outstanding fees or overdraft charges. If your account is negative or has unpaid fees attached to it, the bank will deduct those from any remaining balance before closure. If the fees exceed your balance, you will owe Bank of America the difference, and they may send it to collections if you do not pay.
Stop all automatic payments and direct deposits. Log into your online banking or call the bank to see what is still connected to this account. Contact your employer, benefits provider, or any companies that send you recurring payments and give them your new account number. Do the same for any bills you pay automatically. If you close the account while these are still active, the transactions will fail and may trigger overdraft fees on another account or late fees with the company you owe.
Gather your account number and a form of ID. You will need both to verify you own the account. If you are closing in person, bring a government-issued ID. If you are calling, have your account number and the last four digits of your Social Security number ready.
Closing by phone: the fastest option for most people
Call 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your account. They will ask you to verify your identity using your account number and Social Security number. Have your account number ready before you call — it is on your debit card, checks, or online banking portal.
The representative will confirm your balance is zero and check for any pending transactions or holds. If everything is clear, they will close the account on the spot. The whole call usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. Ask the representative for a confirmation number and write it down — you may need it later if a charge appears or if you need to prove the account was closed.
Bank of America's phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern time, and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times vary, especially on weekday mornings. If you reach a queue, you can request a callback instead of holding.
Closing in person at a branch
Walk into any Bank of America branch with your government-issued ID and ask to close your account. Bring your debit card or account number. The banker will verify your identity, confirm your balance is zero, and process the closure. This takes about 10 to 15 minutes and you walk out with a written confirmation.
In-person closure is useful if you have questions the phone representative could not answer, or if you want to withdraw your remaining balance in cash at the same time. It also creates a paper trail — you get a receipt with the date and the banker's name, which is helpful if a problem arises later.
Find your nearest branch through Bank of America's branch locator on their website. Hours vary by location, but most branches are open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Closing through online banking
Log into your Bank of America online account and look for account settings or account management. Some account types allow you to request closure directly through the portal. The bank will send you a confirmation email, and the account closes within a few business days.
Online closure is not available for all account types — some accounts require a phone call or in-person visit. If you do not see a closure option in your settings, you will need to use one of the other methods. Online closure also does not give you an when ready confirmation number, so if you need proof the account was closed on a specific date, phone or in-person is better.
What happens after you close the account
The account disappears from your active account list within a few business days, but Bank of America keeps a record of it for seven years. If a check you wrote clears after closure, the bank will attempt to debit the closed account and the check will bounce. If a company tries to pull an automatic payment from the closed account, it will fail and may trigger a late fee with that company.
This is why it is critical to redirect all automatic payments and direct deposits before you close. If you miss one and it fails, contact the company when ready and provide your new account number so they can retry the payment.
If you owe Bank of America money — unpaid fees, overdraft charges, or a negative balance — they will contact you to collect it even after the account is closed. Ignoring this debt can result in a collection account on your credit report.
If your account has a hold or restriction
Bank of America may place a hold on your account if there is a dispute, a pending investigation, or a court order. You cannot close an account with an active hold. Call 1-800-432-1000 and ask why the hold is in place and when it will be lifted. The hold may be temporary — sometimes it lifts automatically after 10 business days — or it may require you to resolve an underlying issue first.
If the hold is due to a dispute with a check or transfer, you may need to wait for the dispute to be resolved before closure is possible. If it is due to a court order or garnishment, you will need to work with the court or the creditor to lift it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my account if I have a negative balance?
No. You must pay the negative balance first. Bank of America will not close an account that owes them money. If you do not pay, they will keep the account open and may send the debt to a collection agency.
What if I have checks that haven't cleared yet?
Wait until they clear before closing. Once the account is closed, any checks written against it will bounce. If you need to close quickly, contact the people you wrote checks to and ask them to hold the checks or provide an updated account number.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a deposit account does not directly affect your credit score because deposit accounts do not appear on your credit report. However, if you close the account while owing fees or overdraft charges that go unpaid, the resulting collection account will hurt your score.
How long does it take for the account to fully close?
The closure is when ready when you close by phone or in person, but it may take 5 to 10 business days for the account to stop appearing in your online banking. Any checks or automatic payments that hit after closure will bounce or fail.
What if I change my mind after closing?
You cannot reopen a closed account. You would need to open a new account instead. If you closed recently and realize you made a mistake, call 1-800-432-1000 right away — in rare cases, the bank may be able to reverse the closure if it was just processed.