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

The fastest way to close most Bank of America checking accounts is to call their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000. You will need your account number and Social Security number ready. A representative can process the closure when ready, though the account may take a few business days to fully close in their system. If you prefer to do it in person, you can visit any Bank of America branch with your ID and ask to close the account—staff will handle it on the spot.

Online closure through the Bank of America app or website is available for some account types, but not all. If you have a basic checking account with no outstanding checks or pending transfers, you may see a "close account" option in your account settings. If that option does not appear, your account type does not support online closure, and you will need to use the phone or branch method instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-800-432-1000 to close your account by phone, which is the fastest method for most account types.
  • You must have zero balance or arrange a final transfer before closure, and any pending checks or automatic payments should be stopped first.
  • The account will close when ready when you request it, but may take three to five business days to fully process in Bank of America's system.
  • Request written confirmation of closure, which you may need for tax or banking records.

What to do before you call or visit

Before you close the account, transfer any remaining balance to another bank account or withdraw it as cash. Bank of America will not close an account with money in it. If you have automatic bill payments or direct deposits linked to this checking account, change those to your new account first—this usually takes one to two business days to take effect, so plan ahead.

Stop any outstanding checks you have written. If you have checks that have not cleared yet, contact the people or businesses you wrote them to and ask them to use a different payment method, or wait until those checks clear before closing. Bank of America will not close an account with pending checks.

If you have a linked savings account, credit card, or line of credit, closing the checking account will not affect those. However, if you use this checking account as the primary account for your profile, Bank of America may ask you to designate a different account before closure.

The phone closure process and what happens next

When you call 1-800-432-1000, have your account number and the last four digits of your Social Security number ready. Tell the representative you want to close your checking account. They will confirm your account balance is zero, verify that no pending transactions are attached to it, and process the closure. The entire call usually takes five to ten minutes.

Ask the representative to email or mail you written confirmation of the closure. This confirmation includes the date the account closed and your final balance. Keep this document for your records—some people need it for tax purposes or to prove the account is no longer active.

The account will stop accepting deposits and withdrawals when ready. However, Bank of America's internal systems may show the account as "closed" for three to five business days. If you have automatic payments that were supposed to process after you close, they will fail. This is why stopping or redirecting those payments before closure is important.

Closing in person at a Bank of America branch

Visit any Bank of America branch during business hours with a government-issued ID. Tell a teller or account representative that you want to close your checking account. They will pull up your account, confirm the balance is zero, and process the closure on the spot. Bring your debit card if you have one—the representative may ask you to destroy it or return it.

Ask for a printed receipt showing the account closure date and your final balance. This serves the same purpose as written confirmation from a phone closure. If the branch is busy, you may wait 10 to 15 minutes, but the actual closure process takes only a few minutes once a representative is available.

What to do if you cannot reach zero balance

If your account has a negative balance (you owe Bank of America money), you must pay that amount before closing. You can transfer funds from another account, deposit cash at an ATM or branch, or have the representative take payment by debit card during your closure call or visit.

If your account has a positive balance but you do not have access to another account to transfer it to, ask the representative to issue a check for the remaining balance. Bank of America will mail it to your address on file, usually within five to seven business days. You can then deposit that check at another bank once you receive it.

Handling linked accounts and services

If you have a Bank of America savings account, money market account, or credit card linked to this checking account, closing the checking account will not close those accounts. They remain open and active. However, if you use the checking account as your primary account for online banking or the mobile app, you may need to designate a different account as primary before closure.

If you have Bank of America bill pay set up through this account, those payments will stop working once the account closes. Change your bill pay settings to a different account at least one week before you close the checking account. If you have scheduled payments that have not yet processed, cancel them first.

After the account is closed

Once the account is closed, you cannot reopen it under the same account number. If you change your mind and want a Bank of America checking account again, you will need to open a new account, which takes about 10 minutes online or in person. The new account will have a different account number.

Keep your closure confirmation for at least one year. If a check you wrote before closing the account is presented for payment after the account is closed, it will bounce. If this happens, contact the person or business the check was written to and offer an alternative payment method. Bank of America will not process payments from a closed account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my account if I have pending direct deposits or automatic payments?

You can close the account, but those payments will fail once it closes. Stop or redirect automatic payments and direct deposits to a different account before you close. This usually takes one to two business days, so plan ahead to avoid missed payments or bounced checks.

What if I have a negative balance on my account?

You must pay the negative balance before Bank of America will close the account. You can transfer funds from another account, deposit cash, or authorize a debit card payment during the closure process. The representative will not process closure until the balance is zero or positive.

Will closing my checking account affect my credit score?

No. Closing a checking account does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. Only credit accounts like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit show up on your credit report.

How long does it take for the account to fully close?

The account closes when ready when you request it, but Bank of America's internal systems may take three to five business days to fully process the closure. During this time, the account will not accept deposits or withdrawals, and any pending transactions will fail.

Can I close my account online?

Some Bank of America checking accounts can be closed through the mobile app or website, but not all account types support this. If you do not see a "close account" option in your settings, you will need to call 1-800-432-1000 or visit a branch instead.