You can close a Bank of America checking account online through their website or mobile app, but the process has limits depending on your account balance and linked services.
Bank of America lets you close a checking account through their online banking portal or the mobile app without calling or visiting a branch. The actual closure takes a few minutes once you initiate it, but the account may stay open for a few days while pending transactions clear. If you have a balance, Bank of America will mail you a check or let you transfer the money out first. If you owe the bank money (overdraft fees, for example), they will deduct it from your balance before closing.
The online method works fastest if your account is in good standing—meaning no negative balance, no fraud holds, and no linked credit products that need separate attention. If your account has complications, you may need to call or visit a branch instead.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your Bank of America online account or mobile app, go to Account Services or Settings, and select the option to close your account.
- You must have a zero or positive balance before closing; if you have money in the account, transfer it out or request a check first.
- If you have a negative balance or owe fees, Bank of America will deduct those amounts before sending any remaining funds.
- The account closure itself is when ready, but pending transactions may take a few days to process, so the account may not fully disappear from your dashboard when ready.
- If your account has fraud holds, active disputes, or linked credit products, you will need to call 1-800-432-1000 or visit a branch instead of closing online.
Steps to close your account through online banking
Start by logging into your Bank of America online account at bankofamerica.com or open the mobile app. Navigate to the account you want to close—if you have multiple checking accounts, make sure you select the right one.
Look for a menu option labeled "Account Services," "Settings," or "Manage Account." The exact wording varies depending on whether you are on the website or app, but it is usually in the top navigation or in a three-line menu. Once you find it, look for an option that says "Close Account" or "Close This Account." Click or tap it. Bank of America will ask you to confirm your choice and may ask why you are closing the account—this is optional to answer. Review the summary of what will happen (any remaining balance will be mailed to you, any owed fees will be deducted), then confirm the closure.
After you confirm, you will see a confirmation message with a reference number. Save or screenshot this number in case you need to reference the closure later. The account will be marked as closed in your dashboard, though it may take a few business days for pending transactions to clear and for the account to fully disappear from your view.
What to do with your remaining balance
If your account has money in it, you have two options: transfer the balance to another account before closing, or let Bank of America mail you a check after the account closes.
Transferring out before you close is faster. Log into your account, go to Transfers, and move the money to another bank account you own (at Bank of America or elsewhere). This takes one to three business days depending on the receiving bank. Once the transfer is complete or confirmed, you can proceed with closing the account online.
If you do not transfer the money out, Bank of America will mail a check to the address on file within 10 business days of the account closing. The check will be for your remaining balance minus any fees or overdraft amounts owed. If your address has changed, update it in your account settings before closing, or call 1-800-432-1000 to provide a new mailing address after you close.
When you cannot close online and need to call or visit
Some account situations require you to close through a representative instead of online. If your account has a negative balance (you owe the bank money), Bank of America will not let you close it through the app or website. Call 1-800-432-1000 and a representative will help you settle what you owe and then close the account.
If your account is flagged for fraud, has an active dispute, or is subject to a hold placed by the bank or a court, you will need to call or visit a branch. The same applies if you have a linked Bank of America credit card or line of credit attached to the checking account—those products may need to be handled separately before the checking account can close.
If you have a Bank of America savings account linked to this checking account for overdraft protection, you can usually close the checking account online without issue, but confirm in the app first. If you see a message saying the account cannot be closed online, call 1-800-432-1000 or visit your nearest branch.
What happens to automatic payments and direct deposits after closure
Any automatic bill payments or recurring transfers set up on this checking account will stop working once the account closes. Before you close, log into each service where you have set up automatic payments (utilities, subscriptions, loan payments, insurance) and update the payment method to a different account or card. This prevents failed payments and late fees.
If you have direct deposit set up (paycheck, benefits, tax refunds), contact your employer or the organization sending the deposit and provide them with your new account number if you want deposits to go somewhere else. If you do not update it, the deposit will be rejected and sent back to the sender, which can delay your money by a week or more.
Timeline for full closure and what to expect
The moment you confirm closure online, the account is closed in Bank of America's system. However, you may see it in your online dashboard for a few more days while pending transactions finish processing. This is normal and does not mean the account is still open.
If you had a positive balance and did not transfer it out, expect the check to arrive within 10 business days. If you transferred the money out before closing, there is nothing else to wait for—the account is done.
If you owed fees or had an overdraft, Bank of America will deduct those amounts from your balance before sending the check. You will not receive a separate bill for these amounts; they are straightforward subtracted from what gets mailed to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 closing. However, if you closed the account due to a negative balance or fraud, Bank of America may review your history before opening a new one. There is no waiting period, but the bank may ask questions about why the previous account was closed.
What if I close my account but a check I wrote has not cleared yet?
Bank of America will still honor checks written on the account for a period of time after closure, usually 90 days. However, the check will be drawn against a closed account, which may cause delays or rejection depending on where the check is deposited. It is safer to wait until you know all outstanding checks have cleared before closing the account.
Do I need to close my debit card when I close my checking account?
Your debit card will stop working once the checking account closes, so you do not need to take separate action to deactivate it. If you want to destroy the card when ready, you can, but it is not necessary. Bank of America will deactivate it automatically.
Will closing my checking account affect my credit score?
No. Closing a checking account does not show up on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. Credit reports track credit products like loans and credit cards, not deposit accounts.
What if the online closure does not go through?
If you see an error message or the closure does not complete, try again in a few minutes—temporary system issues are common. If it fails a second time, call 1-800-432-1000 and a representative can close the account over the phone. Have your account number ready.