The fastest way to close your account

You can close a Bank of America account by calling their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000, visiting a branch in person, or using their online banking platform. The phone route is usually fastest — you'll reach someone who can process the closure while you're on the call, typically in under 10 minutes. If you go to a branch, bring a photo ID and any debit cards you want to close with that account.

Before you call or visit, make sure your account balance is zero or positive. If you have a negative balance (money you owe the bank), you'll need to deposit funds to cover it first. Bank of America won't close an account with an outstanding balance. Also check that no automatic payments or direct deposits are still tied to the account — you'll need to redirect those elsewhere or cancel them beforehand.

The closure itself is when ready, but it takes three to five business days for the account to fully disappear from their system. During that window, don't try to use the debit card or write checks from that account. Any checks you've already written may still process, so if you're closing because of fraud or a dispute, tell the representative that when you call.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-800-432-1000 to close over the phone, visit a branch in person, or use online banking — phone is usually fastest.
  • Your account balance must be zero or positive; you cannot close an account that owes the bank money.
  • Stop all automatic payments and direct deposits before closing, or redirect them to a different account.
  • The account closes when ready but takes three to five business days to fully disappear from Bank of America's system.
  • If you have checks outstanding or suspect fraud, tell the representative before they process the closure.

What to do with money still in the account

If your account has a balance, you have three options: withdraw the cash in person at a branch, transfer it to another bank account, or ask Bank of America to send you a check. Withdrawing cash is the simplest if the amount is small. For larger amounts, a transfer to another account (at Bank of America or elsewhere) is safer than carrying cash.

To transfer money out, you can use Bank of America's online banking to move funds to an external account if you've already set that up. If not, a branch representative can process the transfer for you while you're there closing the account. A check usually arrives within five to seven business days after closure.

Stopping automatic payments and direct deposits

Any automatic bill payments or recurring charges tied to this account need to be canceled or moved before you close. Log into your online banking and look for "Scheduled Transfers" or "Bill Pay" to see what's set up. Cancel each one individually, or contact the companies charging you (your utility, insurance company, subscription service, etc.) and give them your new account number if you're moving to a different bank.

Direct deposits — paychecks, government benefits, or other regular deposits — also need to be redirected. Contact your employer's payroll department or the organization sending the deposit and provide them with your new account details. This usually takes one or two pay cycles to take effect, so plan ahead if you're closing soon after a deposit date.

If you forget to redirect something and a payment tries to process after closure, it will be rejected. The company sending the payment will get a notice that the account is closed, but you may face late fees or service interruptions on your end, so it's worth taking the time to update everything first.

Handling outstanding checks and pending transactions

If you've written checks that haven't cleared yet, those can still process after you close the account — sometimes weeks later. Bank of America will honor them if your account has sufficient funds at the time they arrive. If the account is closed and empty, the checks will bounce, and you'll face overdraft fees plus the check writer may face returned-check fees from their bank.

To avoid this, either wait until you're sure all checks have cleared before closing, or ask the branch representative to hold the account open for an extra week or two while you confirm. Pending transactions (debit card charges that haven't fully processed) can also take a few days to settle, so give yourself a buffer.

Closing a joint account

If the account is held jointly with another person, both account holders typically need to consent to closure. Call the number on your card and ask whether both signatures are required — the rules vary slightly depending on the account type. If the other person doesn't want to close it, you may not be able to proceed without their agreement, or you may be able to remove yourself as an authorized user instead.

If you and the other person both want to close but can't meet in person, one of you can call and authorize the closure, then the other can call to confirm. Bank of America will ask security questions to verify your identity on both calls.

What happens to your debit card and checks

Your debit card will stop working when ready after closure, even if it hasn't expired. You don't need to do anything special with it — just stop using it. If you want to be extra cautious, you can cut it up or shred it, but it's not required.

Any blank checks you have from this account will also stop working. You don't need to return them to the bank, but don't use them after closure. If you have a large stack, you can shred them or ask the branch to destroy them when you close the account.

Closing accounts with outstanding fees or negative balances

If your account has a negative balance — meaning you owe Bank of America money — you must pay that amount before closing. This might be from overdraft fees, returned checks, or other charges. You can deposit cash, transfer funds from another account, or ask the representative how to pay it off.

If you have recent fees you believe are incorrect, you can dispute them before closing. Call customer service and explain the situation. They may reverse some fees, which could bring your balance to zero. Once fees are resolved and your balance is settled, you can proceed with closure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my account online without calling?

Bank of America's online banking platform allows you to request closure, but you may still need to call to confirm, especially if you have a balance or outstanding transactions. Calling 1-800-432-1000 is the most direct route and takes about 10 minutes.

What if I have a savings account and a checking account with Bank of America?

You close each account separately. Call or visit and specify which account you want to close. If you're closing both, you can do it in one call or visit, but the representative will process them as two separate closures.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

Closing a bank account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit history (loans, credit cards, payment history), not on checking or savings accounts. You can close without worry on this front.

How long does it take for my account to be completely closed?

The closure is processed when ready, but it takes three to five business days for the account to fully disappear from Bank of America's system. During this time, don't attempt to use the debit card or write checks, as they may still process.

What if I change my mind after closing?

If you close and then want to reopen, you can contact Bank of America and request a new account. There's no penalty for this, but you'll go through the account opening process again, which takes a few minutes in a branch or online.