The fastest way to close your account

You can close a Bank of America checking account by phone, in person at a branch, or online through your account settings. The phone route is usually quickest — call the number on the back of your debit card or 1-800-432-1000 and ask to speak with someone about closing your account. They will ask why you are leaving, confirm your identity, and walk you through what happens next. The whole call takes about 10 minutes.

If you prefer to close it in person, visit any Bank of America branch with a photo ID and a debit card or checkbook. A banker will process the closure on the spot. Online closure is available through your account dashboard under settings, though some account types do not offer this option — if you do not see a close account button, you will need to call or visit a branch instead.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have a zero balance in your checking account before Bank of America will close it — any remaining money needs to be withdrawn or transferred first.
  • Stop any automatic payments or direct deposits linked to the account before you close it, or they will fail and may trigger overdraft fees at your new bank.
  • Bank of America will mail you a final statement showing the closure date, usually within 5 to 10 business days after you request closure.
  • If you have outstanding checks that have not cleared, the bank may delay closure until those checks post, which can take up to 30 days.
  • Closing your account does not affect your credit score, but closing it while you have a negative balance or unpaid fees will prevent closure until those are resolved.

What you need to do before closing

The most common reason closure gets delayed is an account balance that is not zero. Before you call or visit, withdraw or transfer all remaining money out of the account. Even a few cents left behind will stop the closure process.

Next, stop any automatic payments or recurring charges tied to the account. This includes direct deposits from your employer, automatic bill payments, subscription charges, and transfers to savings accounts. Log into your account online or call the bank to see what is set up. If you miss one, it will bounce when the account is closed, and you may face overdraft fees or late payment penalties at your new bank.

If you have checks you wrote that have not cleared yet, the bank may hold the account open until those checks post. This can take up to 30 days. You can ask the bank to estimate how long this will take, or you can wait until you are confident all outstanding checks have cleared before requesting closure.

What happens to your debit card and checks

Your debit card will stop working when ready or within a few hours of closure, depending on whether you closed by phone, in person, or online. If you closed by phone or online, you may want to cut up your debit card yourself to avoid confusion. If you closed in person, the banker may take the card from you on the spot.

Any checks you have not yet used will no longer work after the account closes. If you have a checkbook with unused checks, you can throw them away or shred them. Do not try to use them after closure — they will be rejected and may trigger fees at the business you are trying to pay.

How long closure takes and what you will receive

Bank of America usually closes accounts within one business day if you close by phone or in person, though the official closure may not show in your account until the next day. If you close online, it may take 1 to 3 business days to process.

You will receive a final statement in the mail showing the closure date and any remaining balance (which should be zero). This statement arrives within 5 to 10 business days. Keep this statement for your records — it proves the account is closed and can be useful if a payment bounces or a charge appears after closure.

What to do if you have an outstanding balance or unpaid fees

If your account is overdrawn or you have unpaid fees, Bank of America will not close the account until the balance is paid. You will need to deposit money to bring the account to zero, or the bank may deduct the amount owed from another account you have with them.

If you do not pay, the bank may send the debt to a collection agency or report it to a credit bureau. This can affect your credit score and make it harder to open accounts at other banks. If you are having trouble paying, call the bank and ask whether they can waive or reduce the fees — they sometimes do for customers in hardship, though there is no may provide.

Closing a joint account

If the checking account is held jointly with another person, both account holders must request closure together, either by calling, visiting a branch, or signing a written request. Bank of America will not close a joint account if only one person asks. If you and the other account holder disagree about closing, you will need to resolve that before the bank can proceed.

When a joint account closes, any remaining balance is typically split equally between the two account holders unless you have a different agreement in writing. Make sure you and the other person agree on how to handle any remaining money before you start the closure process.

What to do after closure

Once your account is closed, make sure any recurring charges or direct deposits have been redirected to your new bank account. Check your new account for the first few weeks to confirm that deposits are arriving and that no payments are bouncing.

If a payment bounces or a charge appears after closure, contact the business or service that tried to charge you and provide your new account information. Keep your final Bank of America statement handy in case you need to prove the account was closed on a specific date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reopen my Bank of America checking account after I close it?

Yes, you can reopen a closed checking account within a certain timeframe, though Bank of America does not publicly state exactly how long that window is. If you closed it recently, call the bank and ask whether they can reopen it. If too much time has passed, you will need to open a new account instead.

What if I close my account but a check clears after closure?

If a check clears after your account is closed, the bank will reject it and return it to the person or business that deposited it. They will see that the account is closed and may contact you about payment. To avoid this, wait until you are confident all outstanding checks have cleared before requesting closure, or contact the people you wrote checks to and let them know your account is closing.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

No, closing a checking account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit history — borrowing and repaying loans and credit cards — not on checking accounts. However, if you close the account with an unpaid balance or unpaid fees that go to a collection agency, that can hurt your credit.

Do I need to close my savings account too if I am closing my checking account?

No, you can close just your checking account and keep your savings account open, or vice versa. They are separate accounts and can be closed independently. If you want to close both, you will need to request closure for each one separately.

What if Bank of America says they cannot close my account?

The most common reason the bank will not close an account is a non-zero balance, unpaid fees, or outstanding checks. Resolve those issues first. If the bank still refuses and you believe there is an error, ask to speak with a manager or file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov.