Yes, you can close your Bank of America checking account at any time
Bank of America allows you to close a checking account whenever you want, with no penalty or waiting period. You do not need a reason, and the bank will not ask you to justify the decision. The process takes a few minutes if you do it in person at a branch, or about 10 business days if you do it by phone or mail.
Before you close the account, make sure any automatic payments or direct deposits tied to it are moved to another account first. If you do not, those transactions will fail and you may face overdraft fees or missed payments. The bank will not automatically redirect them.
Key Takeaways
- You can close your checking account in person at a branch, by phone at 1-800-432-1000, or by mail to your local branch.
- Stop all automatic bill payments and direct deposits at least a week before closing, or move them to a different account.
- Withdraw or transfer any remaining balance; the bank will not hold the money after the account closes.
- If you have pending checks or transfers, wait for them to clear before closing, or they may bounce.
- Ask for written confirmation that the account is closed to avoid confusion if the bank tries to reopen it later.
How to close the account in person
Walk into any Bank of America branch with a valid ID and tell a teller you want to close your checking account. They will pull up your account, confirm the current balance, and ask how you want to handle any remaining money—you can withdraw it in cash, transfer it to another account, or request a check. The teller will then process the closure and give you a receipt.
Closing in person is the fastest way because the account closes immediately and you have proof on paper. If your account has a negative balance (you owe the bank money), you will need to pay that before they will close it. Bring a checkbook or recent statement if you are not sure of your account number.
How to close the account by phone
Call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and tell them you want to close your checking account. They will verify your identity, confirm your balance, and walk you through how to handle any remaining funds. The account will not close immediately over the phone—the bank will mail you a confirmation letter within 10 business days.
If you have a negative balance, the bank may ask you to pay it before they process the closure. Ask the representative to note in your file that you requested closure, so if there is any confusion later, you have a record of the date and time you called.
How to close the account by mail
Write a letter to your local Bank of America branch requesting closure of your checking account. Include your full name, account number, the date, and your signature. Mail it to the branch address (you can find this on your statement or the Bank of America website). Include a copy of your ID if the branch asks for it.
Closure by mail takes the longest—typically 10 to 15 business days from the time the branch receives your letter. Before you mail the letter, make sure your account balance is zero or positive, and that no pending transactions are still processing. Keep a copy of the letter for your records.
What to do with automatic payments and direct deposits before closing
Any paycheck, government benefit, or other deposit that goes to your Bank of America account will fail once the account closes. Contact your employer, the Social Security Administration, or whoever sends you money and give them your new account number at least one week before you close. The same applies to automatic bill payments—log into each biller's website and update your payment method or account number.
If you forget to move a payment and it bounces after the account closes, the merchant or your employer may charge you a fee. You will have to contact them to resubmit the payment from your new account. This is why it is worth spending 15 minutes updating these before you close.
What happens to pending checks and transfers
If you have written checks that have not cleared yet, or if you have sent money to someone else that is still processing, wait for those transactions to complete before closing the account. If you close the account while a check is still pending, the check will bounce when it arrives at the bank—the recipient will not get the money and you may face a returned check fee.
The same applies to wire transfers or ACH transfers you have sent. Give them at least 3 to 5 business days to clear. If you are not sure whether a transaction has cleared, log into your account online and check the transaction history, or call the bank and ask.
What to do with your remaining balance
Before the account closes, you must move or withdraw any money in it. The bank will not hold the balance or transfer it anywhere—if there is money left when the account closes, you will need to contact the bank to recover it, which can take weeks. Your options are to withdraw cash at a teller, transfer the money to another account (at Bank of America or elsewhere), or request a check mailed to you.
If you are closing because you are switching banks, the easiest option is to transfer the balance to your new bank account while both are still open. If you are closing because you no longer need a checking account, withdraw the cash or request a check.
Getting written confirmation of closure
After the account closes, ask Bank of America for written confirmation. If you closed in person, the teller should give you a receipt—keep it. If you closed by phone or mail, the bank will send you a letter confirming the closure. This letter is important because it proves the account is closed if there is ever a dispute or if the bank accidentally tries to reopen it.
If you do not receive a confirmation letter within 15 business days of closing, call the bank and ask for one. Some people have had Bank of America reopen closed accounts by mistake, so having proof that you requested closure protects you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my checking account hurt my credit score?
No. Closing a checking account does not affect your credit score because checking accounts are not reported to credit bureaus. Your credit score is based on credit cards, loans, and payment history—not deposit accounts. You can close a checking account without any impact on your credit.
What if my account has a negative balance?
You must pay the negative balance before Bank of America will close the account. The amount owed is usually small—often $25 to $35 in overdraft fees. You can pay it in person at a branch, over the phone, or by transferring money from another account. Once you pay it, the closure can proceed.
Can I reopen a closed Bank of America checking account?
Yes, you can open a new checking account at Bank of America at any time, even if you just closed one. However, you will get a new account number and will need to set up direct deposits and automatic payments again. There is no waiting period or penalty for reopening.
What if I close my account and then a check comes in?
The check will bounce because the account no longer exists. The person or company that sent the check will be notified of the closure and may charge you a returned check fee. This is why you should wait for all pending checks to clear before closing, or notify anyone who might send you a check that you have a new account number.
How long does it take to close a Bank of America checking account?
In person at a branch: a few minutes. By phone: the account closes within 10 business days. By mail: 10 to 15 business days from when the branch receives your letter. The fastest way is always to close in person with a teller.