You can close a Bank of America account by phone, in person, or online, but the method depends on the account type and whether you have outstanding balances or pending transactions
Bank of America lets you close most checking and savings accounts through their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000, at any branch in person, or through Online Banking if you use it. The process itself takes minutes, but the account may not fully close for several business days while the bank processes any remaining transactions, clears checks, and transfers funds you request. If you have a mortgage, credit card, or investment account with Bank of America, those close through different channels and timelines.
Before you call or visit, make sure your account balance is zero or that you have a plan for the remaining money. The bank will not close an account with an outstanding balance owed to them—such as overdraft fees or a negative balance. If you have pending direct deposits, automatic payments, or checks still clearing, closing the account can cause those transactions to fail or bounce.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-432-1000 to close a checking or savings account; the bank will ask for your account number and reason for closing, and the process takes about 10 minutes.
- Visit any Bank of America branch with a photo ID and your account number to close in person, which is useful if you want to withdraw remaining funds when ready.
- Settle any outstanding balance, pending direct deposits, or automatic payments before closing, or the bank will reject the closure request.
- The account officially closes within 5 to 10 business days after you request it, but you may see it marked as closed in Online Banking within 24 hours.
- Credit cards, mortgages, and investment accounts require separate closure processes and cannot be closed through the same channel as a deposit account.
Closing by phone is the fastest route for most people
Call Bank of America's customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your account. Have your account number ready—you can find it on a recent statement, a debit card, or in Online Banking. The representative will verify your identity by asking for your Social Security number, date of birth, or answers to security questions you set up when you opened the account.
The bank will ask why you are closing the account. You do not have to give a detailed reason, but they may offer to keep you as a customer or address a complaint if that is why you are leaving. Once you confirm you want to proceed, the representative will process the closure request. If you have money in the account, ask whether the bank will mail you a check or transfer it to another account. If you provide a routing number and account number for another bank, the transfer usually takes 3 to 5 business days.
Phone lines are typically shortest on weekday mornings before 10 a.m. Eastern time. If you call during evening hours or on weekends, you may wait 15 to 30 minutes. The bank is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern, Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern, and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern.
Closing in person at a branch gives you when ready control of your money
Walk into any Bank of America branch with a photo ID and your account number. Tell a teller you want to close your account. They will pull up your account, confirm your identity, and ask the same questions the phone representative would ask. If you have money in the account, you can withdraw it as cash on the spot or request a cashier's check, which takes a few minutes to print.
In-person closure is the best option if you want to avoid waiting for a check or bank transfer to arrive. It also eliminates the risk of miscommunicating your transfer instructions over the phone. If you have multiple accounts with Bank of America, bring documentation for each one you want to close, since the teller will process each separately.
Bring your account number even if you have your debit card, because tellers sometimes need it to pull up the right account quickly. If you do not know your account number, the teller can look it up using your name and Social Security number, but this adds a few minutes to the process.
Online closure is available only for certain account types
Bank of America does not offer account closure through Online Banking for most customers. However, if you have a savings account with no outstanding balance and no pending transactions, you may see a "Close Account" option in the account settings. This is rare and depends on your account setup.
If you do not see the option online, do not assume the account cannot be closed—it straightforward means you must use the phone or branch method. Online Banking does let you check your account status after you have requested closure, and you will see it marked as "Closed" within 24 hours of the request, even though the bank may still be processing the final details behind the scenes.
What happens to your money and how long closure takes
Once you request closure, Bank of America will stop accepting new transactions on that account. Any checks you wrote that have not yet cleared will still process, and any automatic payments scheduled before you closed the account may still go through. This is why you should cancel automatic payments and alert anyone who sends you direct deposits before you close.
If your account has a positive balance, the bank will either mail you a check within 5 to 10 business days or transfer the money to another account if you provided those details. If your account has a negative balance—meaning you owe the bank money—you must pay that amount before the account can close. The bank will not release any remaining funds until the debt is settled.
The official closure date is usually 5 to 10 business days after you request it. You will see the account marked as closed in Online Banking sooner, often within 24 hours, but that does not mean the bank has finished processing all outstanding transactions. If a check clears after the account is closed, the bank will still honor it, but the funds will come from a holding account and may take longer to process.
Closing credit cards, mortgages, and investment accounts requires different steps
A Bank of America credit card does not close through the same process as a checking account. To close a credit card, call the number on the back of your card or call 1-800-432-1000 and ask for the credit card department. Pay off any remaining balance first—the bank will not close the card if you owe money. After the card is closed, the account will remain on your credit report for up to 10 years, which can affect your credit score.
A mortgage with Bank of America closes only when you pay off the loan in full or refinance with another lender. You cannot straightforward request closure. If you are selling your home or refinancing, your real estate attorney or the new lender will coordinate the payoff with Bank of America.
Investment accounts, brokerage accounts, and retirement accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s) have their own closure procedures. Call the Bank of America Investments department at 1-800-997-2265 to close these accounts. You will need to decide what to do with the investments—sell them, transfer them to another brokerage, or keep them as is—before the account can close.
What to do if the bank refuses to close your account
Bank of America will refuse to close an account if you have an outstanding balance owed to the bank, such as overdraft fees, a negative balance, or a debt the bank has referred to collections. You must pay this amount in full before closure can proceed. If you dispute the amount, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, but the account will not close until the dispute is resolved or you pay.
The bank may also delay closure if there are pending transactions or holds on the account. Ask the representative or teller to explain what is holding up the closure and when it will clear. Most holds expire within 5 to 10 business days.
If you believe the bank is wrongfully refusing to close your account, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov or call 1-855-411-2372. The CFPB will investigate and may require the bank to close the account or explain its refusal in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my Bank of America account hurt my credit score?
Closing a checking or savings account does not affect your credit score because those accounts do not appear on your credit report. Closing a credit card can lower your score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit, but the impact usually fades within a few months. Closing a mortgage or loan account is recorded on your credit report and may lower your score slightly.
What if I close my account and then receive a check or direct deposit meant for that account?
If a check is deposited after the account is closed, the bank will return it to the sender marked "Account Closed." The sender will have to reissue the check or arrange a new payment method. Direct deposits sent to a closed account will be rejected by the bank's system, and the sender will receive a notification that the account is no longer valid. Contact anyone who sends you regular payments before you close the account.
Can I reopen a Bank of America account after I close it?
Yes, you can open a new Bank of America account at any time. However, if you closed the account because of a dispute or negative balance, the bank may flag your name in its system and require you to pay any outstanding debt before opening a new account. If you closed the account in good standing, you can open a new one when ready with no restrictions.
How long does it take to receive a check after I close my account?
Bank of America typically mails a check within 5 to 10 business days of your closure request. The check is mailed to the address on file for your account. If you do not receive it within 15 business days, call 1-800-432-1000 and ask the bank to issue a replacement check or arrange a wire transfer instead.
Do I need to close my account in person, or can I do it all by phone?
You can close your account entirely by phone without visiting a branch. The only reason to close in person is if you want to withdraw your remaining balance as cash when ready rather than waiting for a check or transfer. If you are comfortable with a check or transfer, the phone method is faster and more convenient.