The steps to close a Bank of America account

You can close a Bank of America account by calling their customer service line, visiting a branch in person, or using their online banking portal. The fastest route is usually a phone call to 1-800-432-1000, where a representative can walk you through the process and answer questions about what happens to your money and any pending transactions. If you prefer to do it in person, bring a valid ID to any Bank of America branch and ask to speak with an account representative.

Before you close the account, make sure you have moved any remaining balance to another bank account or withdrawn it as cash. Bank of America will not keep money in a closed account, and you do not want funds sitting in limbo. Also check that no automatic payments or direct deposits are still linked to the account—those will fail once the account closes, which can trigger late fees on bills or cause your paycheck to bounce back to your employer.

The account typically closes within one to three business days after you request it. You will receive written confirmation in the mail, and any checks you have not yet cashed will no longer work. If you have a credit card through Bank of America, closing your checking or savings account does not close the credit card—you have to request that separately if you want it gone.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-800-432-1000, visit a branch with your ID, or use online banking to request closure; phone is usually fastest.
  • Move your remaining balance to another account or withdraw it before closing, because Bank of America will not hold money in a closed account.
  • Stop any automatic payments, recurring charges, or direct deposits linked to the account at least a week before closure to avoid failed transactions.
  • The account closes within one to three business days, and you will receive written confirmation by mail.
  • Closing a checking or savings account does not close a linked credit card; you must request that closure separately.

What to do with your remaining money

Before you close the account, withdraw or transfer every dollar. Bank of America will not forward unclaimed money to you, and you do not want to discover months later that you left cash behind. The easiest method is to transfer the balance to another bank account you control—you can do this online through Bank of America's website or by calling customer service and asking them to move the funds.

If you do not have another account ready, you can withdraw the money as a cashier's check (which Bank of America can issue at a branch or by mail) or as cash at an ATM or teller window. Withdrawing large amounts as cash may trigger a Currency Transaction Report if the total is over $10,000, but that is a routine reporting requirement and not a problem for you. If you are closing the account because you are moving to a different bank, that bank can often help you set up a transfer directly from Bank of America.

Stopping automatic payments and direct deposits

Any bill payment, subscription charge, or automatic transfer set to come out of the account will fail once it closes. This can result in late fees, service interruptions, or a rejected paycheck if your employer is still depositing to that account. Stop these at least one week before you request closure.

Log into your Bank of America online account and look for the "Transfers" or "Bill Pay" section to see what is scheduled. Cancel each one individually. For direct deposits from your employer, log into your employer's payroll system or contact your HR department and update your banking information to point to your new account. For subscriptions (streaming services, insurance, utilities), log into each company's website and update the payment method or cancel the recurring charge.

If you are unsure whether anything is still linked, call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and ask them to review the account for pending transactions. They can tell you what is scheduled and help you cancel it before you close.

Closing the account by phone

Call 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your account. Have your account number and a form of ID ready. The representative will ask why you are closing (you do not have to give a detailed reason), confirm that your balance is zero or that you want to transfer it, and check for any pending transactions or holds on the account.

If there are holds or pending items, the representative will explain what they are and when they will clear. You may not be able to close immediately if a check is still processing or a charge is pending—in that case, ask when you can call back to complete the closure. Once everything is clear, the representative will process the closure and give you a confirmation number. Write this down.

You will receive a written confirmation letter in the mail within five to seven business days. Keep this letter in case you need proof that the account is closed (for example, if a company tries to charge the old account number later).

Closing the account in person at a branch

Bring your valid ID and go to any Bank of America branch during business hours. Tell a teller or account representative that you want to close your account. They will pull up your account, confirm your balance, and ask about any pending transactions. If your balance is not zero, they can issue a cashier's check or process a transfer to another account right there.

The representative will print a closure confirmation form for you to sign. This is your proof that the account is closed. Keep a copy for your records. The account will close that day, though it may take one to three business days for the closure to fully process in their system.

If you have a large balance or complex account activity, closing in person can be faster because the representative can handle everything on the spot. If you have questions about what happens to pending charges or how long it takes for checks to clear, the branch staff can answer them directly.

What happens to checks and debit cards after closure

Any checks you have not yet cashed will bounce once the account closes. If you have written checks that have not been deposited yet, contact the people or businesses you wrote them to and let them know the account is closing. Offer to pay them another way or issue a new check from your new bank account.

Your debit card will stop working immediately once the account closes. You do not need to do anything special to deactivate it—it will simply decline at any point of sale or ATM. If you want to be extra cautious, you can cut the card in half before the account closes, but it is not necessary.

If someone tries to use your old account number for a charge after the account is closed, the transaction will be declined. This is one reason to update your payment information with all your regular vendors before you close—so they do not try to charge an account that no longer exists.

Closing a joint account

If the account is held jointly with another person, both account holders usually have to request closure together or give written permission. Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and ask what their policy is for your specific account type. Some joint accounts can be closed by one person if the other person is not reachable, but this varies.

If you and the other account holder disagree about closing, you may not be able to close it unilaterally. In that case, you can remove yourself from the account instead, which leaves it open for the other person to use. Ask the representative whether removal or closure is the right option for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, you can open a new account at Bank of America after closing one. However, if the account was closed due to fraud, excessive overdrafts, or violation of their terms, they may deny you. If you closed it simply because you wanted to switch banks, you can open a new account whenever you want.

What if I have a pending check that has not cleared yet?

Wait for the check to clear before you close the account. Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and ask how long the check will take to process. Once it clears, the funds will be in your account and you can transfer or withdraw them before closure.

Do I need to close my credit card if I close my checking account?

No. Closing a checking or savings account does not affect a linked credit card. The credit card remains open and active unless you specifically request to close it. If you want to close the credit card too, you must ask for that separately.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

Closing a bank account does not affect your credit score. Bank of America does not report checking or savings account closures to credit bureaus. Your credit score is based on credit accounts like credit cards and loans, not deposit accounts.

What if Bank of America says there is a hold on my account?

A hold usually means a check or transaction is still processing. Ask the representative how long the hold will last and when you can close the account. You cannot close until all holds are cleared. If the hold has been there for more than a few days, ask them to investigate why.