You can close most Bank of America accounts online through your profile settings, but savings accounts and some linked products require a phone call
Bank of America lets you close a checking account through their website or mobile app without calling. Log into your account, go to Settings, find the account you want to close, and select the close account option. The process takes a few minutes and you'll get a confirmation number.
Savings accounts, money market accounts, and CDs cannot be closed online—you must call 1-800-432-1000 to close those. If you have a linked investment account, credit card, or loan tied to the account you're trying to close, you may need to handle those separately first or call to sort out the order.
Before you close anything, make sure your balance is zero. If you have money in the account, transfer it to another bank first. If there's a negative balance (you owe the bank), you'll need to pay that before closing.
Key Takeaways
- Checking accounts can be closed online through your Bank of America profile settings in a few minutes.
- Savings accounts, money market accounts, and CDs must be closed by phone at 1-800-432-1000.
- Your account balance must be zero before you close—transfer money out or pay any negative balance first.
- If you have linked products like credit cards or loans, you may need to close or separate those before closing the main account.
- You'll receive a confirmation number when the account closes, and any pending transactions may still post after closure.
What happens to pending transactions after you close
Closing your account does not stop transactions that are already in motion. If you have automatic bill payments, direct deposits, or pending transfers scheduled, they may still go through for a few days after closure. Bank of America will try to process them, and if they bounce, the merchant or your employer may charge you fees.
Before closing, cancel or redirect any automatic payments and direct deposits. Log into each biller's website or contact your payroll department to update your banking information. Give yourself at least a week to catch anything you might have forgotten.
If a transaction posts after your account is closed, contact Bank of America right away. They can sometimes reverse it or redirect the funds, but the faster you report it, the better your chances.
Overdraft fees and negative balances before closing
If your account is negative when you try to close it, Bank of America will not let you proceed online. You must pay the full amount owed first. This includes any overdraft fees that have already posted.
Overdraft amounts vary depending on how much you went over and how long the account was negative. If you're unsure of the exact balance, log in and check your current balance, or call 1-800-432-1000 to confirm what you owe. Pay it through a transfer from another account or by going to a branch.
Once the balance is zero or positive, you can close the account online. If you close with a positive balance, you'll need to transfer that money out first or request a check from the bank.
Closing a joint account
If the account is held jointly with another person, both account holders must agree to close it. Bank of America will not let one person close a joint account online without the other person's consent. You'll need to call 1-800-432-1000 and have both owners on the line or provide written authorization from the other owner.
Before closing, make sure both owners have removed any funds they need. Once closed, neither person can access the account. If there's a dispute about closing the account, the bank may require written consent from both parties or a court order.
What to do after your account closes
After closure, keep your confirmation number and the date the account closed. Bank of America will send you a final statement showing all activity up to the close date. This statement is important for your records and for tracking any transactions that post after closure.
If you had a debit card linked to the account, it will stop working immediately. Destroy the card or contact Bank of America to have it deactivated if you're concerned about fraud. If you had checks, stop using them right away—any checks that clear after the account closes may bounce.
If you're moving to another bank, make sure your new account is fully set up and tested before you close the old one. Transfer a small amount first to confirm the routing and account numbers are correct. This prevents money from getting lost if you make a mistake during the switch.
Reopening a closed account
If you close your account and change your mind, you may be able to reopen it within a certain window. Bank of America's policy on this varies, and the timeframe is not published. Call 1-800-432-1000 as soon as possible if you need to reopen an account you just closed.
The bank will check your account history and may deny the request if there were overdrafts, fraud, or other issues. If they approve reopening, it may take a few business days for the account to become active again. In the meantime, you won't be able to use any debit card or checks tied to that account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I lose my routing number after I close my account?
Your routing number belongs to Bank of America, not to your individual account, so it does not change. However, your account number disappears when the account closes. Anyone trying to send you money using the old account number will have the transfer rejected. Make sure to give people your new account information if you move to another bank.
What if Bank of America won't let me close my account online?
If the close account option does not appear in your settings, the account may be a type that requires a phone call (savings, money market, or CD). You could also have a negative balance, linked products, or a hold on the account. Call 1-800-432-1000 to find out why and what you need to do next.
Can I close my account if I have a pending dispute?
Bank of America may not let you close an account while a dispute is being investigated. Disputes can take 10 business days or longer to resolve. You can ask the bank whether closing is possible, but you may need to wait until the dispute is settled. Call 1-800-432-1000 to check your dispute status.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a checking or savings account does not directly affect your credit score because those accounts do not appear on your credit report. However, if you close an account with a negative balance that goes to collections, that can harm your score. Pay any balance before closing to avoid this.
How long does it take for my account to fully close?
Online closure is immediate—you get a confirmation number right away and the account stops accepting transactions. However, pending transactions may still post for a few days, and it can take up to 10 business days for the account to disappear from your online banking profile completely.