Close your account in person, by phone, or by mail — but settle what you owe first

You can close a Bank of America checking or savings account by visiting a branch in person, calling customer service at 1-800-432-1000, or sending a written request by mail. Before you close, make sure your account balance is zero or positive (no overdraft), all pending transactions have cleared, and any automatic payments or direct deposits linked to that account have been moved elsewhere. Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding balance owed to them.

The fastest method is walking into a branch with your ID — a banker can close it on the spot and hand you any remaining balance as a check or transfer it to another account. By phone, the process takes about 10 minutes. By mail, allow 7 to 10 business days after Bank of America receives your letter.

Key Takeaways

  • Bring a government-issued ID to a Bank of America branch to close an account immediately, or call 1-800-432-1000 to do it by phone in about 10 minutes.
  • Your account balance must be zero or positive — Bank of America will not close an account if you owe them money or have an overdraft.
  • Move any automatic bill payments, direct deposits, or recurring transfers to another account before you close, or they will fail.
  • If you have a credit card with Bank of America, closing a checking or savings account does not close the credit card — you must close those separately.
  • Request written confirmation of the closure and keep it; some readers report difficulty proving an account was closed months later.

What you need to do before closing

Stop all automatic payments and recurring transfers tied to the account. This includes bill pay, direct deposits from your employer, transfers to other banks, and subscription charges. Log into your Bank of America account online or call 1-800-432-1000 to see what is set up. If you miss this step, payments will bounce and you may face overdraft fees or late charges from the companies you owe.

Bring your account balance to zero or above. If you have a negative balance (overdraft), Bank of America will not close the account until you pay what you owe. If the account is overdrawn by a small amount, deposit funds to cover it. If there is a dispute about the balance, resolve it with Bank of America before attempting to close.

Wait for all pending transactions to post. Checks you wrote, debit card charges, and transfers may still be processing. Log in to check your recent activity, or call the bank to confirm nothing is still in flight. Closing an account with pending transactions can cause those transactions to fail or bounce.

Close in person at a branch

Bring your government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and go to any Bank of America branch during business hours. Tell the banker you want to close the account. They will verify your identity, confirm the balance is zero or positive, and process the closure on the spot.

Ask the banker how you want to receive any remaining balance. You can take a check, have it transferred to another bank account, or deposit it into a different Bank of America account you own. If the balance is small (under $25), the banker may offer to donate it to a charity or simply close the account with no payout. Get a receipt or written confirmation that the account is closed.

Close by phone

Call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000. Have your account number and government-issued ID ready. The representative will ask why you are closing (this is optional to answer), verify your identity, and confirm your balance is zero or positive.

Tell the representative how you want any remaining balance sent to you — as a check mailed to your address, or transferred to another account. The call usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. Ask for a confirmation number and request that the bank mail you written confirmation of the closure. Write down the date, time, and representative's name in case you need to prove the account was closed later.

Close by mail

Write a letter to Bank of America requesting closure of your account. Include your full name, account number, the type of account (checking or savings), and your signature. Keep the letter brief — one paragraph is enough. Mail it to the address on your Bank of America statement or to Bank of America, P.O. Box 15298, Wilmington, DE 19850-5298.

Send the letter via certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof Bank of America received it. Allow 7 to 10 business days for processing after they receive your letter. Follow up by phone at 1-800-432-1000 if you do not hear back within two weeks. This method is slower and leaves less of a paper trail, so use it only if you cannot visit a branch or call.

What happens to linked accounts and credit cards

Closing a checking or savings account does not close a Bank of America credit card, money market account, or investment account. Each product must be closed separately. If you have a credit card, you must call 1-800-432-1000 or visit a branch to close it on its own. Closing the checking account that the credit card was linked to will not affect the card itself.

If you have automatic payments set up from a credit card to pay other bills, those will continue to work even after you close the linked checking account. However, if you had automatic transfers between accounts (for example, moving money from checking to savings each month), those will stop.

After the account is closed

Bank of America will mail you a final statement showing the closure date and any remaining balance. Keep this statement for your records. If you received a debit card linked to the account, it will stop working immediately after closure. Destroy it or contact the bank to have it deactivated.

If you still see charges or transfers from the closed account weeks later, contact Bank of America right away. Occasionally a merchant or employer has outdated account information and attempts a charge after closure. The bank can help trace where the charge came from and stop it. Save your closure confirmation letter — you may need it to prove the account was closed when disputing old charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reopen a Bank of America account after I close it?

Yes. You can open a new checking or savings account at any time by visiting a branch, calling 1-800-432-1000, or going to bankofamerica.com. There is no waiting period. However, if you closed the account because of fraud or a dispute, Bank of America may review your history before allowing you to open a new one.

What if I have a negative balance when I try to close?

Bank of America will not close the account until the balance is zero or positive. Deposit funds to cover the overdraft, then request closure. If you dispute the negative balance, contact the bank's dispute department before attempting to close.

Do I need to close my account in the same state where I opened it?

No. You can close a Bank of America account at any branch nationwide, by phone, or by mail. The state where you opened it does not matter.

What if I forget to move my direct deposit before closing?

Your next paycheck will be rejected and returned to your employer. Contact your employer's payroll department and provide your new account number so they can resubmit the deposit. This can take several days to process, so move your direct deposit before you close the account.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

No. Closing a checking or savings account does not affect your credit score. Only credit products (credit cards, loans, lines of credit) appear on your credit report. Closing a checking account has no impact on your credit history.