You can close most Bank of America accounts through their website or mobile app without calling
Bank of America lets you close checking and savings accounts online through their website or the mobile app. The process takes a few minutes: you log in, navigate to the account settings, and request closure. The bank will then walk you through what happens to any remaining balance, pending transactions, and direct deposits. Some account types—like investment accounts or credit cards—require a phone call or visit to a branch instead.
Before you start, make sure your account balance is zero or close to it. If you have money left, the bank will mail you a check after closure. You should also cancel any automatic payments or direct deposits tied to that account, because transactions scheduled after closure will fail. If you have a debit card attached, it will stop working once the account closes.
Key Takeaways
- Checking and savings accounts can be closed online through the Bank of America website or mobile app by logging in and selecting account settings.
- Your account balance must be zero before closure, or the bank will mail any remaining funds to your address on file.
- Cancel automatic payments, direct deposits, and bill pay arrangements before closing, because they will fail after the account closes.
- Credit cards, investment accounts, and some specialty accounts require a phone call to close and cannot be closed online.
- The closure is usually final within one to two business days, and you will no longer be able to access the account.
Steps to close your account through the Bank of America website
Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com using your username and password. Once you are logged in, look for the account you want to close in your account list on the left side of the screen. Click on that account to open its details page.
On the account details page, scroll down and look for a link or button labeled "Close Account" or "Account Settings." Click it. Bank of America will show you a confirmation screen that lists the account number, account type, and current balance. Review this information to make sure you are closing the right account. If the balance is not zero, the screen will tell you that the bank will mail the remaining funds to you after closure.
Click the button to confirm closure. Bank of America will ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions or entering a code sent to your phone or email. Complete this step, and the closure request is submitted. You will see a confirmation message with a reference number. Save or screenshot this number in case you need to contact the bank later about the closure.
Closing your account through the Bank of America mobile app
Open the Bank of America mobile app and log in. Tap the account you want to close from your account list. At the bottom of the account details screen, look for a menu icon (three horizontal lines) or a "More" option and tap it.
Scroll through the menu options until you find "Close Account" or "Account Settings." Tap it. The app will show you the same confirmation screen as the website: account number, type, and balance. If your balance is not zero, note that the bank will mail the remaining amount to you. Tap to confirm closure, complete any identity verification the app requests, and you will receive a confirmation number.
What to do before you close your account
Stop all automatic payments at least one week before you close the account. Log into any services that pull money from this account—utilities, insurance, subscriptions, loan payments—and update them to use a different account or payment method. If you miss this step, those payments will fail after closure, and you may face late fees or service interruptions.
Cancel direct deposits by contacting your employer's payroll department or the organization sending the deposit. Give them your new account number if you have opened another account, or let them know you no longer want deposits to this account. Direct deposits scheduled after closure will bounce back to the sender.
If you have a debit card tied to this account, destroy it after closure or wait for it to expire. The card will not work once the account closes, but cutting it up prevents accidental use attempts. Check your account for any pending transactions—online purchases, pending checks, or transfers—and make sure they have cleared before you close.
What happens to your money and account history after closure
If your account has a balance when you close it, Bank of America will mail a check to the address on file within five to seven business days. The check will be drawn on a Bank of America account and will be valid for 180 days. If you do not cash it within that time, you can contact the bank to request a replacement check or a wire transfer instead.
Your account history and statements remain available through Bank of America for a limited time after closure—usually 90 days to one year, depending on the account type. If you need statements after that period, contact the bank and request copies; they may charge a fee for older records. Your closed account will not appear in your active account list, but you can still view it in your account history if you log back in.
If you owe the bank money—overdraft fees, negative balances, or other charges—closing the account does not erase the debt. Bank of America can pursue collection or offset the amount against other accounts you hold with them.
Account types that cannot be closed online
Bank of America credit cards must be closed by phone. Call the number on the back of your card and ask to close the account. The bank will ask whether you want to keep the account open for rewards or other benefits, and will confirm the closure once you decline. After closure, you can still view your statements online, but you cannot make new charges.
Investment accounts, including Bank of America brokerage accounts and retirement accounts, require a phone call or a visit to a branch to close. The bank needs to verify your identity and discuss any tax implications before closing an investment account. Savings accounts linked to investment products may also require a branch visit.
If you have a Bank of America business account, you may need to provide additional documentation or visit a branch in person. Call the business banking line or visit your local branch to start the closure process.
What to do if you cannot close your account online
If the "Close Account" option does not appear on your account details page, the account type may not support online closure. This happens most often with older accounts, accounts with pending disputes, or accounts that are already flagged for review. Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 (for personal accounts) or your business banking number to close by phone.
Have your account number and a form of ID ready when you call. The representative will verify your identity, confirm the account balance, and process the closure. They will also ask about the reason for closure—this is optional to answer, but the bank uses the feedback to improve service. The closure will be final within one to two business days.
If you have a dispute or claim pending on the account, the bank may not allow closure until the matter is resolved. Contact the dispute department directly to check the status before attempting to close again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen my account after I close it?
Bank of America can reopen a closed account within a short window—usually 30 days—if you contact them immediately. After that period, you will need to open a new account instead. If your account was closed due to fraud or violation of the account agreement, the bank may refuse to reopen it or open a new one.
What if I have a pending check or transfer when I close?
Pending transactions can still clear after closure if they were submitted before the account closed. The bank will honor them and deduct the amount from your final balance. If the balance is not enough to cover a pending transaction, it will bounce, and you may face an overdraft fee before closure is final.
Do I lose my account history if I close my account?
No. Bank of America keeps your statements and transaction history available online for 90 days to one year after closure. After that, you can request copies by phone or in writing, though the bank may charge a fee for records older than one year.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a checking or savings account does not directly affect your credit score, because these accounts do not appear on your credit report. Closing a credit card can lower your score slightly by reducing your total available credit, but the impact is usually small and temporary.
What if my account is overdrawn when I try to close it?
Bank of America will not let you close an account with a negative balance. You must deposit money to bring the balance to zero first. If you do not, the bank will keep the account open until the overdraft is resolved, and you may continue to owe fees.