How to close a Bank of America account
You can close a Bank of America checking or savings account by phone, in person at a branch, or online through your account settings. The fastest route is usually a phone call to customer service at 1-800-432-1000, where a representative can walk you through the process and confirm your account is closed the same day. If you go in person, bring a photo ID and any debit cards you want to cancel at the same time.
Before you close, make sure your account balance is zero or transferred out. Bank of America will not close an account with a negative balance—you have to pay what you owe first. If you have pending transactions or automatic payments set up, those may still process after closure, so cancel or redirect them beforehand.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-432-1000 to close your account over the phone, or visit a branch in person with a photo ID.
- Your account balance must be zero before closure; if it is negative, you must pay the amount owed first.
- Cancel or redirect any automatic payments, bill pay, or direct deposits before you close to avoid failed transactions.
- Debit cards linked to the account will stop working once closure is complete, usually within one to three business days.
- If you have a credit card with Bank of America, closing a checking or savings account does not affect the credit card.
What to do before you close
Transfer or withdraw any remaining money in the account. Bank of America will not process a closure if there is a balance—positive or negative. If the account is overdrawn, you must pay the negative balance before the bank will close it.
Stop or redirect automatic payments. If you have bill pay set up, direct deposits coming in, or recurring charges tied to this account, change them now. Payments scheduled to process after closure may fail, and you could face late fees or missed payments on bills. Log into your account online or call customer service to review what is currently set up.
Gather your debit cards. Any debit card linked to the account will be deactivated once closure is complete. If you want to destroy the card yourself, you can, but the bank will also deactivate it automatically. If you have multiple cards on the account, make sure you have identified all of them.
Closing by phone
Call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000. Have your account number and a form of ID ready. The representative will verify your identity, confirm your account balance is zero, and ask why you are closing (this is optional to answer). They will then process the closure and give you a confirmation number.
The account will typically close within one to three business days. Your debit card will stop working immediately, though the account may still appear in your online banking for a few days. Keep the confirmation number in case you need to reference the closure later.
Closing in person at a branch
Visit any Bank of America branch with a photo ID. Tell the representative you want to close your account. They will verify your identity, check that your balance is zero, and process the closure on the spot. You can also ask them to close any debit cards at the same time.
Bring any debit cards you want to destroy with you, though this is not required. The branch can shred them for you, or you can take them home and destroy them yourself. The account will close within one to three business days, and you will receive a confirmation in writing or by email.
Closing online
Log into your Bank of America account and go to Settings. Look for the option to close your account or manage accounts. Not all account types can be closed online—if you do not see the option, you will need to call or visit a branch instead.
If the online option is available, follow the prompts to confirm your identity and verify your balance is zero. You will receive a confirmation number once the closure is submitted. The account will close within one to three business days.
What happens after you close
Your account will no longer accept deposits or withdrawals. Any debit card tied to the account stops working. If a payment or deposit tries to process after closure, it will be rejected, so make sure you have redirected everything beforehand.
Bank of America will send you a final statement showing the account closure. Keep this for your records. If you had overdraft protection or linked accounts, those connections will be severed. If you had a credit card with Bank of America, it will not be affected by closing a checking or savings account.
If you have a negative balance
You cannot close an account with a negative balance. You must pay the amount owed first. You can do this by transferring money from another account, depositing cash or a check at a branch, or making an online transfer from an external bank account.
Once the balance is zero or positive, you can proceed with closure. If you are unsure of the exact amount owed, call 1-800-432-1000 and ask the representative to tell you the current balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my Bank of America account hurt my credit?
Closing a checking or savings account does not directly affect your credit score. Bank of America does not report checking or savings accounts to credit bureaus. However, if the account has an unpaid negative balance that goes to collections, that can harm your credit.
What if I have pending transactions when I close?
Pending transactions may still process after closure. Before you close, wait for pending transactions to clear or contact the merchant to cancel them. If a transaction processes after closure, it will be rejected and may trigger an overdraft fee.
Can I reopen a closed Bank of America account?
You can open a new account with Bank of America at any time, but you cannot reopen a closed account. The old account number will not be reactivated. If you want to bank with Bank of America again, you will need to open a new account.
Do I need to close my debit card separately?
No. When you close the account, the debit card is automatically deactivated. You do not need to call separately to cancel the card. If you want to destroy the physical card, you can do so yourself or ask a branch representative to shred it.
What if I have automatic bill payments set up?
Cancel or redirect all automatic payments before you close. Log into your account and review your bill pay settings, or call 1-800-432-1000 to ask the representative to list all active payments. Payments that process after closure will fail and may result in late fees on your bills.