You can close a Bank of America account in person, by phone, or by mail—but you need to settle what's in it first

Bank of America lets you close a checking or savings account through three routes: walk into a branch with your ID, call their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000, or send a written request by mail. Before any of these work, you must bring your balance to zero—either by withdrawing cash, transferring money out, or letting pending transactions clear. If you have overdraft protection linked to another account, that stays active until you explicitly turn it off during the closure process.

The account closes when ready if you do it in person or by phone. By mail, closure takes longer because Bank of America needs to receive your letter, process it, and confirm there are no outstanding checks or automatic payments still pending. Plan for five to ten business days if you go the mail route.

Key Takeaways

  • Your account balance must be zero before Bank of America will close it—withdraw or transfer any remaining money first.
  • In-person closure at any branch or phone closure through 1-800-432-1000 happens the same day, while mail closure takes five to ten business days.
  • Stop all automatic bill payments and transfers before you close, or they may fail and trigger overdraft fees.
  • Keep your final statement and any pending checks in mind—Bank of America will not close an account if checks are still clearing.

Closing in person at a Bank of America branch

Bring your government-issued ID and your debit card or account number. Any teller can process the closure. Tell them you want to close the account, and they will verify your balance is zero. If it is not, they can help you withdraw the remaining funds or transfer them to another account you own. This takes about ten minutes.

The teller will ask why you are closing—this is optional to answer, and your reason does not affect whether the closure goes through. They will print a confirmation receipt showing the account number, closure date, and final balance. Keep this receipt. If you have checks linked to this account, ask the teller whether any are still pending; if they are, wait until they clear before returning to close.

Closing by phone with Bank of America customer service

Call 1-800-432-1000 and say you want to close an account. You will be routed to a representative who will verify your identity by asking for your Social Security number, date of birth, and account number. Have your account number ready—it appears on your debit card, checks, or statements.

The representative will confirm your balance is zero. If it is not, they can walk you through transferring the money or arranging a check in the mail for the remaining balance. Once confirmed, they will close the account when ready and provide a confirmation number. Write down this number and the date and time of the call. The representative will also ask if you want to close any linked accounts—credit cards, savings accounts, or lines of credit stay open unless you explicitly close them too.

Closing by mail

Write a letter to Bank of America requesting account closure. Include your full name, account number, the account type (checking or savings), and your signature. Mail it to the address on your statement or to Bank of America's general correspondence address, which you can find by calling 1-800-432-1000 and asking for the mailing address for account closures in your state—it varies by location.

Before you mail the letter, make sure your balance is zero and no automatic payments or transfers are scheduled. Bank of America will not process a closure if pending transactions are in flight. Once they receive your letter, processing takes five to ten business days. You will not receive a written confirmation, so keep a copy of your letter and note the date you mailed it. If you do not see the account disappear from your online banking within two weeks, call to confirm the closure went through.

What to do before you close

Stop all automatic bill payments and recurring transfers at least one week before closure. Log into your Bank of America online account, go to the Transfers and Payments section, and cancel each one. If you miss one and a payment tries to go through after closure, it will fail and may trigger a fee from the merchant or the receiving bank.

Check for pending checks. If you wrote checks that have not cleared yet, wait until they do before closing. Bank of America will hold the account open if checks are still outstanding. You can see pending checks in your transaction history online, or call customer service to ask.

Withdraw or transfer any remaining balance. You can withdraw cash at any Bank of America ATM or branch, transfer to another bank account you own, or ask the teller or representative to mail you a check. If you choose a check, it takes five to seven business days to arrive.

What happens to linked accounts and services

Closing a checking account does not automatically close a savings account, credit card, or line of credit. Each one is separate and stays open unless you close it separately. If you have overdraft protection set up—where a savings account covers overdrafts on your checking account—that link breaks when you close the checking account, but the savings account remains open.

If you have a debit card tied to the account, it stops working once the account closes. Destroy the card or wait for it to expire. Online banking access to that specific account disappears within a few days, though you can still access any other accounts you have with Bank of America.

If the account has a negative balance or holds

If your account is overdrawn, you cannot close it until the negative balance is paid. Bank of America will not let you close an account that owes them money. Deposit enough to bring it to zero, then proceed with closure.

If there is a hold on the account—usually because of a dispute, fraud investigation, or unpaid fees—Bank of America will not close it until the hold is lifted. Call 1-800-432-1000 and ask why the hold is there and how long it will last. Once it is removed, you can close the account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my account if I still owe Bank of America money?

No. If your account is overdrawn or you have unpaid fees, you must pay the balance first. Deposit the amount owed to bring it to zero, then close. If you do not pay, Bank of America can refer the debt to a collection agency.

What if I close my account but a check clears after?

Once an account is closed, checks cannot clear against it. The check will bounce, and the merchant or person who deposited it will be notified. This is why you should wait for all outstanding checks to clear before closing.

Do I need to close my credit card when I close my checking account?

No. Your credit card and checking account are separate products. Closing one does not affect the other. You can keep your credit card open or close it separately if you want.

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

In person or by phone, it happens the same day. By mail, it takes five to ten business days from the date Bank of America receives your letter. Keep a copy of your letter and note when you mailed it.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

Closing a checking or savings account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores track credit history—loans, credit cards, and payment history. Bank accounts do not appear on your credit report.