You can close a Bank of America account by phone, in person, or online, but the method depends on your account type and whether you have outstanding issues

Bank of America lets you close a checking or savings account through three routes: calling their customer service line, visiting a branch in person, or using their online banking portal. The fastest is usually the phone call — you can complete it in 10 to 15 minutes if you have no pending transactions or disputes. In-person closure at a branch takes about the same time. Online closure through the mobile app or website works only for certain account types and only if your account is in good standing with no holds, pending transfers, or fraud investigations.

Before you close, you need to handle three things: withdraw or transfer any remaining balance, set up direct deposit redirection if paychecks go to this account, and make sure no automatic payments or subscriptions are still pulling from it. Bank of America will not close an account with a negative balance, and they will not process the closure if checks are still outstanding or if a dispute is open on the account.

Key Takeaways

  • Phone closure (1-800-432-1000) is the fastest route and works for any account type, but you must have a zero or positive balance and no pending transactions.
  • You must redirect any direct deposits and cancel automatic payments before closure, or they will fail after the account closes.
  • Bank of America will not close an account with a negative balance, pending checks, or an open dispute or fraud investigation.
  • In-person closure at any branch takes the same time as a phone call and gives you a paper record of the closure in your receipt.
  • After closure, Bank of America keeps records for seven years, so you can still dispute old transactions or request statements during that window.

Closing by phone or in person

Call Bank of America's customer service line at 1-800-432-1000 and tell them you want to close your checking or savings account. Have your account number and a government-issued ID ready. The representative will confirm your identity, review your account balance, and ask why you are closing — this is optional to answer. If your balance is positive or zero, they will process the closure when ready. If you have a negative balance, they will tell you the amount owed and will not close the account until you pay it.

The representative will also ask whether you want any remaining balance mailed to you as a check or transferred to another account. If you choose a transfer, provide the routing number and account number of the receiving bank. The check or transfer usually arrives within 5 to 7 business days. Before you hang up, ask the representative to confirm the closure date and send you a written confirmation — some do this automatically, but asking ensures you have a record.

In-person closure works the same way. Walk into any Bank of America branch with your ID and account number, tell the teller you want to close the account, and they will process it on the spot. You will receive a receipt showing the closure date and any balance transferred or mailed. This method is useful if you want when ready proof of closure or if you have questions the representative can answer face-to-face.

Closing through the mobile app or website

Bank of America's online closure option is available only for certain account types and only if your account meets specific conditions. Log into your account on the Bank of America website or mobile app, navigate to the account settings or account details section, and look for a "Close Account" or "Account Services" option. Not all accounts show this option — if you do not see it, the account cannot be closed online and you will need to call or visit a branch.

Online closure requires that your account have a zero balance, no pending transactions, no holds, and no open disputes. If any of these conditions are not met, the system will not let you complete the closure and will direct you to call customer service instead. Once you submit the online closure request, Bank of America will send you a confirmation email within one business day.

What to do before you close

Stop all automatic payments and recurring charges at least one week before closure. Log into each service that pulls money from this account — subscriptions, gym memberships, insurance payments, utility bills — and update the payment method to a different card or account. If you miss one, the payment will fail after the account closes, and the service may charge you a late fee or suspend your service.

Redirect your direct deposits to a new account. Contact your employer's payroll department or the organization sending the deposit and provide them with your new account number and routing number. Direct deposits usually take one to two pay cycles to update, so make this change at least two weeks before you plan to close the account. If you close the account before the redirect takes effect, your next paycheck will be rejected and you will have to contact your employer to reissue it.

Withdraw or transfer any remaining balance. You can withdraw cash at any Bank of America ATM or branch, or transfer the balance to another account online or by phone. Make sure the balance is zero or positive — Bank of America will not close an account with a negative balance, and you will owe the bank the amount of the overdraft.

Check for outstanding checks. If you wrote checks from this account that have not yet cleared, wait until they do before closing. You can see pending checks in your transaction history online. If you are unsure whether a check has cleared, call customer service and ask them to review your recent transactions.

What happens after you close the account

Once the account is closed, you cannot use the debit card, write checks, or make transfers from it. Any attempt to do so will be declined. Bank of America will mail you a final statement within 30 days showing all transactions up to the closure date. If you need to dispute a transaction or request a copy of a statement after closure, you can still do so — Bank of America keeps records for seven years.

If a check or automatic payment tries to post after closure, it will be rejected and returned to the sender. The sender may charge you a fee for the returned payment, so make sure all automatic payments are canceled and all checks have cleared before you close.

Your account number becomes inactive when ready, but Bank of America does not reissue the number to another customer for at least one year. This protects you from someone else accidentally depositing money into your old account number.

If you cannot close your account

Bank of America will not close an account if any of these conditions are true: the account has a negative balance, a check is still pending, a dispute or fraud investigation is open, or a hold has been placed on the account. If any of these explore, you must resolve the issue first.

If your account has a negative balance, deposit the amount owed. If a check is pending, wait for it to clear — you can check the status in your transaction history online or by calling customer service. If a dispute is open, wait for Bank of America to resolve it, which usually takes 10 business days. If a hold has been placed, call customer service to find out why and how long it will remain.

If you have been locked out of your account due to fraud or suspicious activity, you will need to verify your identity with Bank of America before you can close it. Call 1-800-432-1000 and follow their verification process, which may include answering security questions or providing a government-issued ID at a branch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my account if I have a negative balance?

No. Bank of America will not close an account with a negative balance. You must deposit the amount owed first. Once the balance reaches zero or positive, you can proceed with closure.

How long does it take to close a Bank of America account?

The closure itself is when ready — the representative or teller will process it on the spot. However, if you have a remaining balance, it takes 5 to 7 business days for Bank of America to mail you a check or transfer the funds to another account. Your final statement arrives within 30 days.

What if I close my account and then receive a check made out to it?

The check will be rejected and returned to the sender. The sender may charge you a fee for the returned check. Make sure all outstanding checks have cleared before you close, and notify anyone who regularly sends you checks that your account is closing.

Can I reopen a Bank of America account after I close it?

Yes, you can open a new account at any time. However, if you closed the account due to a negative balance or fraud, Bank of America may review your history before approving a new account. There is no waiting period — you can open a new account the same day you close the old one.

Do I need to visit a branch to close my account, or can I do it entirely by phone?

You can close entirely by phone. Call 1-800-432-1000 and the representative will handle everything. In-person closure is an option if you prefer a paper receipt or want to ask questions face-to-face, but it is not required.