The basic process for closing your account
You can close a Bank of America account by calling their customer service line, visiting a branch in person, or using their online banking portal. The fastest route is usually a phone call to the number on the back of your debit card or the customer service number listed on your statement — you'll reach someone who can walk you through the steps when ready. If you prefer to do it in person, any Bank of America branch can process the closure, though you may need to wait for an appointment depending on how busy the branch is.
Before you close the account, you need to settle any outstanding balance. If you have a positive balance (money in the account), the bank will issue you a check or transfer the funds to another account you specify. If you owe money — through overdrafts or fees — you'll need to pay that first. The bank will not close an account with a negative balance.
After you request closure, the account typically closes within one to five business days. During that time, any pending transactions may still post. You should stop using the account when ready to avoid overdraft fees or declined transactions.
Key Takeaways
- Call the customer service number on your card or statement, visit a branch, or use online banking to request closure — phone is usually fastest.
- Pay any negative balance or overdraft fees before closing; the bank will not close an account you owe money on.
- Pending transactions may still post for several days after you request closure, so stop using the account right away.
- If you have direct deposits or automatic payments set up, redirect them to another account before closure to avoid missed payments or lost income.
- Request written confirmation of the closure and keep it for your records in case the account appears on your credit report later.
What to do before you close the account
Stop all automatic payments and direct deposits at least a week before you plan to close. This includes paychecks, bill payments, subscription charges, and transfers. If you don't redirect these, payments may fail and direct deposits may be rejected, which can damage your credit or result in late fees from the companies you owe money to. You can update direct deposit information with your employer through their payroll system, and you can change automatic payment destinations through the companies that charge you (utilities, insurance, loan servicers, and so on).
Check your account for any outstanding checks you've written. If you've written a check that hasn't cleared yet, the bank may still process it after closure, which could cause an overdraft. Contact anyone you've written a check to and ask them to deposit it before your closure date, or ask Bank of America to hold the account open longer.
Review your account statements for the past two to three months to make sure you haven't missed any recurring charges. Look for subscriptions, gym memberships, or other services that charge monthly. Cancel these separately or update the payment method before closure.
Closing through phone, branch, or online
By phone: Call 1-800-432-1000 (the number on most Bank of America debit cards and statements). Have your account number and Social Security number ready. The representative will confirm your identity, review any outstanding balance, and process the closure. They'll tell you how the remaining balance will be returned — usually by check mailed to your address on file, though you can request a transfer to another bank account if you provide the routing and account numbers. Ask for a confirmation number and note the date.
In person at a branch: Bring a valid ID and your debit card or account number. Tell the representative you want to close the account. They'll check for any balance, process the closure, and give you options for how to receive any remaining funds. You can usually get a check on the spot or request a transfer. Ask for written confirmation before you leave.
Through online banking: Log into your Bank of America account, go to Settings, and look for an option to close accounts. Not all account types can be closed online — if you don't see the option, you'll need to call or visit a branch. If the option is available, follow the prompts to confirm your identity and request closure. You should receive an email confirmation, but call customer service to verify the closure went through.
What happens to your remaining balance
If you have money left in the account, Bank of America will return it to you. The most common method is a check mailed to your address on file within five to ten business days. You can also request that the funds be transferred to another bank account — provide the routing number and account number of the receiving bank, and the transfer usually takes three to five business days.
If the account has been inactive for a long time and you're closing it, check whether your state has unclaimed property laws. Some states require banks to turn over dormant account balances to the state after a certain period (usually three to five years). If this has happened, you can recover the money through your state's unclaimed property office, but it's simpler to close the account while you still have direct access to the funds.
Reasons the bank might refuse to close your account
Bank of America will not close an account if you owe money on it. This includes overdraft fees, monthly maintenance fees that haven't been paid, or any other charges. You must pay these in full before closure. If you dispute a charge, the bank may hold the account open until the dispute is resolved.
If the account is linked to a credit product — such as a line of credit or a loan — the bank may require you to close that product first. Similarly, if you have a safe deposit box associated with the account, you'll need to empty it and close the box before the account can be closed.
If there is an active fraud investigation or legal hold on the account, closure will be delayed until the investigation concludes or the hold is lifted. The bank will notify you if this is the case.
After the account is closed
The closed account will remain on your banking history. It may appear on your credit report for up to ten years, but this does not hurt your credit score — closed accounts in good standing are neutral. If you closed the account because of overdrafts or unpaid fees, those negative marks may stay on your report longer.
Keep the confirmation number and closure date for your records. If you ever need to prove the account is closed — for a mortgage process, a background check, or a dispute — you can reference this confirmation. If the bank continues to charge fees or contact you about the account after closure, contact customer service with your confirmation number.
If you had a debit card linked to the account, it will stop working when ready. Destroy the card or contact the bank to have it deactivated. Do not throw it away intact — cut it up or shred it to prevent fraud.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen a Bank of America account after I close it?
Yes. You can open a new account at any time. However, if you closed the account because of overdrafts or unpaid fees, the bank may flag your history in their system. You may be required to pay any outstanding balance from the old account before opening a new one, or you may face restrictions on the type of account you can open.
What if I have a negative balance when I try to close?
You must pay the negative balance before closure. This includes overdraft fees and any other charges. Once paid, the account can be closed. If you dispute the charges, contact customer service to discuss your options — the bank may agree to waive certain fees, but closure will be delayed until the dispute is resolved.
How long does it take for the account to fully close?
The account typically closes within one to five business days after you request it. Pending transactions may still post during this time. If you're receiving a check for your remaining balance, add another five to ten business days for the check to arrive by mail.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing an account in good standing does not hurt your credit score. Closed accounts remain on your credit report but are neutral. If the account had late payments or unpaid fees, those negative marks will stay on your report and may affect your score, but the closure itself is not the cause.
What if I have pending transactions when I close the account?
Pending transactions may still post after you request closure. The bank will process them against the account balance. If a transaction posts after the account is closed and causes an overdraft, you may be charged an overdraft fee. To avoid this, wait until all pending transactions have cleared before requesting closure, or ask the bank to hold the account open until they do.