You can close most Bank of America accounts through the app, but only if your account balance is zero and you have no pending transactions
Bank of America lets you close checking and savings accounts directly in the mobile app without calling or visiting a branch. The process takes a few minutes, but the app will only let you proceed if your balance is exactly zero and there are no holds or pending charges waiting to clear. If you have money in the account, you must transfer or withdraw it first. If you have a credit card or loan attached to your account, those need separate handling.
The app walks you through the closure step by step. Once you confirm, the account closes immediately, and you will receive a confirmation email. Bank of America will send you a final statement within 30 days showing any remaining activity.
Key Takeaways
- Your account balance must be exactly zero before you can close it through the app—transfer or withdraw any remaining money first.
- The app closure works for checking and savings accounts but not for credit cards, loans, or investment accounts, which require different steps.
- Pending transactions and holds will block closure, so wait for all charges to clear before attempting to close.
- You will receive a confirmation email immediately and a final statement within 30 days after closure.
Step-by-step: closing your account in the Bank of America app
Open the Bank of America mobile app and sign in. Tap the account you want to close from your account list. Look for the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner of the account screen and tap it.
Select "Close Account" or "Manage Account" depending on your app version. The app will display a summary of your account and ask you to confirm the balance is zero. If it is not, you cannot proceed—go back and transfer or withdraw the remaining balance first. Once the balance shows zero, tap "Continue" or "Confirm Closure."
The app will ask you to select a reason for closing (optional) and may offer you options to keep other accounts open. Review the final confirmation screen carefully. Tap "Close Account" to complete the process. You will see a confirmation message on screen, and Bank of America will send you an email confirmation within minutes.
What to do before closing: clearing your balance and stopping automatic payments
If you have money in the account, transfer it to another bank account you own using the app's transfer feature, or withdraw it at an ATM or branch. Bank of America does not charge a fee to transfer money out, but your receiving bank may charge a deposit fee—check with them first.
Check for any automatic bill payments or recurring transfers linked to this account. Log into the websites or apps of companies you pay regularly (utilities, subscriptions, insurance) and update your payment method to a different account or card. If you miss this step, payments will fail and you may face late fees or service interruptions.
Wait at least one business day after your last transaction clears before attempting to close. Pending transactions can block closure even if your displayed balance is zero. If the app still will not let you close the account, contact Bank of America to ask whether a hold or pending charge is preventing closure.
Accounts you cannot close through the app
Bank of America credit cards must be closed by calling the number on the back of your card or through the online banking website—the app does not have a closure option for credit products. Investment accounts, money market accounts, and CDs (certificates of deposit) also require phone or online closure, not app closure.
If you have a mortgage, auto loan, or personal loan with Bank of America, closing a linked checking or savings account does not affect the loan. The loan will continue as normal, and Bank of America will send statements to your email or mailing address. You do not need to close the loan to close the bank account.
What happens after you close your account
Your account closes immediately after you confirm in the app. You will no longer be able to use your debit card, and any pending transactions tied to this account will fail. If a company tries to charge this account after closure, the charge will be rejected and returned to them.
Bank of America will send you a final statement within 30 days showing any activity up to the closure date. Keep this statement for your records. If you closed the account because of fraud or unauthorized charges, contact Bank of America within 60 days to dispute those transactions—they may still be recoverable even after closure.
If you need to reopen an account with Bank of America later, you can do so through the app or at a branch. There is no penalty for closing and reopening, but you will need to meet current account requirements (minimum balance, direct deposit, or other criteria depending on the account type).
Troubleshooting: why the app won't let you close your account
Balance is not zero: Even a penny remaining will block closure. Check your account carefully for pending deposits or charges. If you see a pending transaction that should have cleared, wait one more business day and try again.
Holds or blocks on the account: Bank of America may place a hold if there is a dispute, fraud investigation, or legal claim against the account. You cannot close an account with an active hold. Contact Bank of America to ask why the hold is there and when it will be removed.
The app shows an error message: Try closing the app completely and reopening it. If the error persists, try closing the account through Bank of America's website instead of the app. If both fail, call Bank of America at the number on your statement—a representative can close the account over the phone and explain any blocks preventing app closure.
You cannot find the close account option: Older versions of the Bank of America app may not have the closure feature. Update the app to the latest version from your phone's app store. If the option still does not appear, the account type may not support app closure—use the website or call instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a checking or savings account does not directly affect your credit score because banks do not report deposit account closures to credit bureaus. However, if you close an account and a payment fails as a result, that missed payment could hurt your score. Update all automatic payments before closing to avoid this.
Can I close my account if I have a pending direct deposit?
You can close the account, but the direct deposit will fail and bounce back to your employer or the source. Update your direct deposit information with your employer or benefits provider before closing. If you close first by accident, contact your employer immediately to redirect the deposit to a new account.
What if I closed my account by mistake?
Contact Bank of America within a few days of closure. If the account has not yet been fully processed, they may be able to reopen it. Once the account is fully closed and removed from the system, you will need to open a new account instead. There is no fee to open a new account.
Do I need to destroy my debit card after closing?
You do not have to, but it is a good idea to cut it up or shred it so it cannot be used by someone else. The card will not work after the account closes, but destroying it prevents confusion if you find it later.
Can I close my account if I owe Bank of America money?
If you have an outstanding loan or credit card balance, you cannot close the bank account until that debt is paid. Bank of America may also freeze or hold the account if you owe money. Contact Bank of America to discuss payment options before attempting to close.