Bank of America will close your account by phone, in person, or through their website, but you need to settle what you owe first and decide what happens to any remaining balance

The fastest way to close a Bank of America account is to call their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000 and ask to speak with someone who handles account closures. They will verify your identity, check whether you have any outstanding balances or pending transactions, and process the closure on the call. If you have a remaining balance, they will either send you a check or transfer the funds to another account you provide. The whole process usually takes 5 to 10 minutes on the phone.

You can also close an account in person at any Bank of America branch by bringing a valid ID and speaking with a teller or account manager. This route works well if you want to hand over documents in person or if you have questions about what happens to linked services. Some branches can process the closure when ready; others may need a few business days to finalize it.

Online closure is available for some account types through the Bank of America website or mobile app, though the option does not appear for all customers. If you see a "Close Account" option in your account settings, you can initiate the request there, but you will still need to confirm your identity and may need to call to complete it.

Key Takeaways

  • Phone closure at 1-800-432-1000 is the fastest method and takes about 5 to 10 minutes once you reach the right department.
  • You must have a zero balance or arrange what happens to any remaining funds before the account closes.
  • Any automatic payments or direct deposits linked to the account will stop, so you need to update those with other banks or billers first.
  • Bank of America will send you a final statement and confirmation of closure by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
  • Debit cards and checks tied to the account become invalid once it closes, so destroy them or stop using them when ready.

What you need to do before you call

Before you contact Bank of America, make sure you have transferred or withdrawn any money in the account. The bank will not close an account with a balance unless you tell them where to send it. If you have a positive balance, you can ask them to mail you a check, transfer it to another bank account, or move it to a different Bank of America account you own.

If the account has a negative balance—meaning you owe the bank money—you must pay that amount before closure. This might be an overdraft fee, a monthly service charge that was not paid, or a minimum balance requirement you did not meet. Ask the representative how much you owe and how to pay it. Once you settle the debt, the closure can proceed.

Check whether you have set up any automatic payments or recurring charges on this account. These include bill payments, subscription services, paycheck direct deposits, or transfers to savings accounts. You will need to update those services with a different account number before the closure takes effect, or they will fail. Contact your employer, insurance company, utility providers, and any subscription services to give them your new account details.

The phone closure process step by step

Call 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your account. They will ask for your account number and will verify your identity by asking security questions or requesting information from your recent transactions. Have your account number ready—you can find it on a check, statement, or in the mobile app.

The representative will confirm that your account balance is zero or ask where you want any remaining funds sent. If you want a check mailed to you, provide your current address. If you want the money transferred to another account, have that account number and routing number ready. This can be at Bank of America or another bank.

They will ask whether you want to close just this account or all your accounts with Bank of America. If you have a checking account, savings account, and credit card, you can close them separately or all at once. Be clear about which accounts you are closing.

Once the representative confirms all the details, they will process the closure. The account will close when ready, though it may take a few business days for the system to fully reflect the closure. You will receive a confirmation number—write it down. Bank of America will mail you a final statement and closure confirmation within 7 to 10 business days.

Closing an account in person at a branch

Bring a valid government-issued ID and go to any Bank of America branch during business hours. Tell a teller or account manager that you want to close your account. They will pull up your account and review the balance with you, just as the phone representative would.

If you have cash or checks to deposit before closing, you can do that at the same time. If you have a remaining balance, the teller can print a check on the spot in many cases, or they can process a transfer to another account. This is faster than waiting for a mailed check.

The branch staff will also deactivate your debit card when ready if you ask them to, which is useful if you want to make sure the card cannot be used after closure. They will give you a receipt showing the closure was processed.

What happens to your debit card and checks

Your debit card becomes invalid as soon as the account closes. You do not need to do anything special—the card will straightforward be declined if someone tries to use it. However, it is a good idea to destroy the card yourself by cutting it up or shredding it, especially if you are closing the account because of fraud or loss.

Any unused checks from this account will no longer work after closure. If you have a checkbook, you can throw away the remaining checks or shred them. If you write a check after the account is closed, it will bounce, and the recipient may charge you a returned check fee.

If you have set up online bill pay through Bank of America, those payments will stop processing once the account closes. Check your bill pay history to see which payments were scheduled and contact those billers to set up payment from your new account.

Timing and what to expect after closure

The account closure itself happens within minutes if you close by phone or in person. However, the full closure process—including clearing any pending transactions and sending you final paperwork—takes 5 to 10 business days. During this time, the account is closed to new activity, but Bank of America is still processing any transactions that were in flight when you called.

You will receive a final statement by mail showing all activity up to the closure date and any remaining balance or amount owed. Keep this statement for your records. If you had automatic payments set up, you may also receive notices from billers saying the payment method is no longer valid.

If you closed the account because of fraud or unauthorized activity, Bank of America may hold your remaining balance for a short period while they investigate. They will contact you if this happens and will tell you how long the hold will last.

Reasons to close and alternatives to consider

People close Bank of America accounts for different reasons: moving to a bank with lower fees, consolidating multiple accounts, closing an account opened for a specific purpose, or switching banks entirely. If your reason is high fees, you might ask a representative whether you may have access to for a different account type with lower costs before you close. Bank of America offers accounts with no monthly fee if you maintain a minimum balance or set up direct deposit.

If you are closing because of poor customer service or a dispute, consider whether a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) might resolve the issue instead. The CFPB can investigate complaints about banks and sometimes forces them to refund fees or correct errors.

If you are closing to avoid overdraft fees, ask whether Bank of America offers overdraft protection, which links your checking account to a savings account and transfers money automatically if you go negative. This costs less than an overdraft fee in many cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my Bank of America account if I have a negative balance?

No. You must pay the negative balance first. This might be an overdraft fee, a service charge, or a minimum balance penalty. Call customer service to find out exactly how much you owe, pay it, and then the account can close. If you dispute the charge, you can file a complaint with the CFPB, but the account will not close until the balance is settled.

How long does it take to get my remaining balance after I close?

If you ask for a check, it will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you ask for a transfer to another account at Bank of America or another bank, it usually posts within 1 to 3 business days. Ask the representative which option is faster when you call.

What if I have a pending direct deposit or automatic payment scheduled?

Pending transactions may still process for a few days after closure because they were already in the system. Any direct deposits will bounce and return to your employer. Update your employer and any billers with your new account number before you close to avoid missed payments or returned deposits.

Do I need to close my credit card if I'm closing my checking account?

No. Checking accounts and credit cards are separate. You can close your checking account and keep your credit card open, or close both. Tell the representative which accounts you want to close when you call.

Can I reopen the account after I close it?

Bank of America may allow you to reopen a closed account within a certain window, but this depends on why it closed and how long ago. If you change your mind shortly after closing, call customer service and ask whether reopening is possible. If the account was closed due to fraud or violation of terms, reopening may not be an option.