You can close a Bank of America checking account through their website, but the process depends on whether you have a linked savings account and outstanding transactions
Bank of America lets you close a checking account online through their website or mobile app, but you cannot do it entirely without human contact if you have a linked savings account or pending transactions. The online closure works fastest when your account has a zero balance, no automatic payments scheduled, and no linked accounts. If any of those conditions do not explore, you will need to call or visit a branch to complete the closure.
The reason for this limitation is practical: Bank of America needs to confirm that no checks are still clearing, no direct deposits are pending, and no linked accounts depend on the one you are closing. A checking account that feeds a savings account or a credit card payment cannot be closed through the website alone.
Key Takeaways
- Online closure works only if your checking account has a zero balance, no scheduled automatic payments, and no linked savings or credit accounts.
- You must move or withdraw all remaining funds before closing, and you should wait at least one week after your last transaction to may support all checks have cleared.
- If you have linked accounts, automatic payments, or a non-zero balance, you will need to call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 or visit a branch in person.
- Bank of America does not charge a fee to close a checking account, but you may owe a balance if your account went negative.
Steps to close your account online if you meet the requirements
Log into your Bank of America account through their website or the mobile app. Navigate to the account settings or account management section — the exact location varies slightly between the website and app, but both have a "Manage Account" or "Account Services" option visible from your account dashboard.
Look for an option labeled "Close Account" or "Account Closure." Click it and follow the prompts. Bank of America will ask you to confirm your identity and will show you a summary of your account status. If the system detects a balance, linked accounts, or pending transactions, it will stop the process and direct you to call or visit a branch instead.
If the closure goes through, you will receive a confirmation number and an email confirmation. Bank of America will send you a final statement within 30 days. Keep this statement for your records — it shows the exact date the account closed and confirms any remaining balance.
What to do before you close: clearing your balance and stopping payments
Move all remaining money out of the checking account before you attempt closure. You can transfer funds to another Bank of America account, to an account at a different bank, or withdraw cash at a branch or ATM. The account must show exactly zero dollars when you initiate closure online.
Cancel or redirect any automatic payments that use this checking account. This includes bill payments, subscription charges, paycheck direct deposits, and transfers to savings or credit cards. Log into each service that pulls from this account and update the payment method or account number. This step is critical: if a payment tries to process after you close the account, it will fail and may trigger overdraft fees or late payment penalties on the original bill.
Wait at least one week after your last transaction before closing. This gives any outstanding checks or pending transfers time to clear. If you close the account while a check is still processing, Bank of America may reopen the account temporarily to process it, which delays closure.
When you cannot close online and must call or visit
If your checking account is linked to a savings account, credit card, or other Bank of America product, you cannot close it through the website. The system will block the closure to prevent you from accidentally breaking a connection that another account depends on. Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and tell them you want to close the checking account. They will verify your identity and check whether the linked account can function without it.
If your account has a negative balance — meaning you owe Bank of America money — you must settle that debt before closure. You can pay it over the phone or in person at a branch. Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding balance.
If you have pending transactions, automatic payments still scheduled, or recent activity that has not fully cleared, a representative can close the account for you but may ask you to call back after a specific date to confirm closure. This protects you from having a payment fail after the account is closed.
What happens to your debit card and checks after closure
Your debit card will stop working when ready after the account closes. If you have checks printed with this account number, they will be rejected if someone tries to cash them after closure. Destroy any remaining checks or contact Bank of America to request they be cancelled.
If you have automatic payments or recurring charges still scheduled on the old card, they will fail. This is why cancelling or redirecting payments before closure is essential — a failed payment can damage your credit or result in late fees from the merchant.
Closing a joint account
If the checking account is held jointly with another person, both account holders must consent to closure. You cannot close a joint account online without the other person's permission. Call Bank of America and speak with a representative who can verify both owners' identities and confirm that both want the account closed.
If one joint owner wants to close the account and the other does not, the account cannot be closed. The only option is to remove one owner and convert it to a single-owner account, which requires both people to visit a branch or call together.
After your account is closed
Bank of America will mail you a final statement showing the closure date and any remaining balance or fees. Keep this for your records. If you had overdraft protection linked to a savings account, that protection ends when the checking account closes.
If you closed the account because of a problem — such as repeated overdraft fees or poor service — consider whether you want to keep your other Bank of America accounts open. If you decide to leave the bank entirely, close all accounts in the correct order: close checking and credit cards first, then savings accounts, to avoid triggering overdraft fees or account closure fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bank of America charge a fee to close a checking account?
No, Bank of America does not charge a fee to close a checking account. However, if your account has a negative balance when you close it, you must pay that amount. Some checking accounts have an early closure fee if closed within a certain period of opening, but this is rare and would be disclosed in your account agreement.
What if I close my account and then need to deposit a check?
Once your account is closed, you cannot deposit checks into it. If you need to deposit a check after closure, you will need to open a new account or use a different bank. This is why it is important to make sure all pending deposits and transfers have cleared before you close.
Can I reopen a Bank of America checking account after I close it?
Yes, you can open a new checking account with Bank of America at any time after closure. However, if your account was closed due to fraud, repeated overdrafts, or violation of Bank of America's terms, they may decline to open a new account for you. If you closed it voluntarily and in good standing, reopening is straightforward.
How long does it take for Bank of America to actually close my account after I request closure?
If you close online and meet all requirements, the account closes when ready. You will receive a confirmation number right away. If you close by phone or in person, closure is when ready as well. Your final statement will arrive within 30 days and will show the exact closure date.
What should I do with my old checks after closing?
Destroy any remaining checks by shredding them or tearing them up. Do not throw them in the trash where someone could find them and attempt to use them. If you have a large number of unused checks, you can contact Bank of America and request they cancel the checks in their system, though destruction is the safest approach.