You can close most Bank of America accounts through their website or mobile app without calling or visiting a branch
Bank of America lets you close checking and savings accounts online through their website or mobile app. The process takes about 10 minutes if your account has a zero balance and no pending transactions. If you have money in the account, you'll transfer it out first. If you have a negative balance or owe the bank money, you'll need to settle that before closing.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use the website or the app, but both routes lead to the same outcome. You don't need to call customer service or go to a branch unless something unusual is attached to your account — like an active loan, a credit line, or fraud holds.
Key Takeaways
- You can close a Bank of America checking or savings account online only if the balance is zero and there are no pending transactions.
- Transfer any remaining money to another account before you start the closing process, since the account must be empty.
- If your account has a negative balance, you must pay what you owe before Bank of America will close it.
- Accounts with active loans, credit lines, or fraud holds cannot be closed online and require a phone call or branch visit.
- After closing, keep your account number and final statements for your records, especially if you had automatic payments set up.
Closing your account through the Bank of America website
Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com using your username and password. Once you're logged in, look for the account you want to close in your account list on the left side of the screen. Click on that account to open its details page.
Scroll down to find the "Account Services" or "Settings" section — the exact label varies depending on your account type. Look for an option that says "Close Account" or "Account Closure." Click it. Bank of America will show you a confirmation screen that lists the account number, current balance, and any pending transactions. Review this information carefully. If the balance is not zero, you cannot proceed; go back and transfer the money out first.
Once you confirm the balance is zero, Bank of America will ask you why you're closing the account. You can select from a list of reasons or leave it blank — your answer doesn't affect whether the closure goes through. Click the final confirmation button. You'll see a message saying the account is closed, and you should receive an email confirmation within a few minutes.
Closing your account through the Bank of America mobile app
Open the Bank of America mobile app and log in. Tap the account you want to close from your account list. At the bottom of the account details screen, you'll see a menu icon (three horizontal lines) or a "More" option. Tap it.
Look for "Close Account" in the menu that appears. Tap it. The app will show you the same confirmation screen as the website: account number, balance, and any pending activity. If your balance is zero and there are no pending transactions, you can proceed. Tap the confirmation button to close the account.
You'll receive an on-screen confirmation and an email confirmation shortly after. The app may ask you to confirm your identity using your PIN or biometric login before processing the closure.
What to do if you have money in the account
Before you can close the account, you must move any remaining balance to another account. You can transfer the money to another Bank of America account you own, or to an account at a different bank.
To transfer within Bank of America, log in and use the "Transfer Money" option. Select the account you're closing as the "from" account and choose the destination account. Enter the amount and confirm. The transfer usually completes the same day if both accounts are at Bank of America.
To transfer to another bank, you can set up an external transfer through Bank of America's website (this can take one to three business days), or you can withdraw the money as a check or cash and deposit it yourself. Once the money has left the account and the balance shows zero, you're ready to close it.
What to do if you owe the bank money
If your account has a negative balance — meaning you owe Bank of America money — the account cannot be closed until you pay what you owe. This usually happens when you've written checks that bounced, incurred overdraft fees, or had a payment rejected.
Log into your account and look at the balance. If it shows a negative number, that's what you owe. Transfer money into the account from another source to bring the balance to zero or positive. Once the balance is zero or above, you can proceed with closing the account online using the steps above.
If you're unsure why your account shows a negative balance, or if the amount seems wrong, contact Bank of America customer service before closing. They can explain the charges and may be able to reverse some fees if there's an error.
When you cannot close your account online
Some accounts cannot be closed through the website or app. If any of these explore to you, you'll need to call Bank of America or visit a branch:
- Your account has an active loan or credit line attached to it.
- Your account is frozen due to fraud holds or suspicious activity.
- You have pending direct deposits or automatic payments scheduled.
- Your account is a joint account and the other owner hasn't authorized the closure.
- Your account is linked to a business service or investment product.
To close these accounts, call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 (the number is on the back of your debit card or on your statement). Have your account number and ID ready. A representative will walk you through the closure process and handle any complications. This call usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
What happens after your account closes
Once Bank of America closes your account, you can no longer use the debit card or make transactions. Any pending transactions that haven't cleared yet may still post to the account for a few days after closure — this is normal. Bank of America will send you a final statement showing the closure date and any last activity.
Keep your account number and final statements for your records. If you had automatic payments or direct deposits set up, you'll need to update those with your new bank account information. Check with your employer, creditors, and any services you subscribe to and make sure they have your new account details.
If a check or payment arrives after the account is closed, Bank of America will return it unpaid. This can take several weeks, so monitor your mail and follow up with whoever sent the payment to provide your new account information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen a Bank of America account after I close it?
Yes, you can open a new account with Bank of America at any time after closing one. However, if you closed the account due to overdrafts, fraud, or other issues, Bank of America may review your history before approving a new account. There is no waiting period, but the bank may decline to open a new account if you have recent negative history.
What if I closed my account but a check still comes in?
Bank of America will return the check unpaid and mark it as "Account Closed." The check will be returned to whoever wrote it, usually within two to three weeks. Contact the person or organization that sent the check and provide them with your new account information so they can reissue it.
Do I need to destroy my debit card after closing the account?
You don't have to, but it's a good idea to cut it up or shred it so it can't be used by mistake or found by someone else. The card will stop working when ready once the account closes, but destroying it removes any chance of confusion.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a checking or savings account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit history — loans, credit cards, and payment history. Bank accounts don't appear on your credit report, so closing one has no impact on your credit.
Can I close a joint account if the other person doesn't agree?
No. Both owners must consent to close a joint account. If you want to close it and the other owner refuses, you'll need to contact Bank of America by phone or in person. They may be able to convert it to a single-owner account or discuss other options, but they cannot close a joint account without both owners' permission.