How to close your Bank of America account
You can close a Bank of America account by phone, in person at a branch, or online through your account settings. The fastest method is calling Bank of America's customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and asking to close the account; they will verify your identity, confirm you have no pending transactions, and process the closure immediately. If you close online or in person, the process takes the same day, but you should confirm the account is closed within 24 hours by checking your statement or calling back.
Before you close, make sure your account balance is zero or positive—if you owe money, the bank will not close it until the debt is paid. Move any remaining funds to another account first. If you have automatic payments or direct deposits linked to this account, change those to your new account at least a week before closing, or the payments may fail and trigger overdraft fees at the old account.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-432-1000 to close your account over the phone, which is the fastest method and takes a few minutes.
- Transfer your remaining balance to another account and cancel or redirect any automatic payments or direct deposits before closing.
- If you have a negative balance or owe the bank money, you must pay it before the account can be closed.
- Request written confirmation of the closure and keep it for your records in case the account appears on your credit report later.
- After closing, monitor your credit report for 30 to 60 days to confirm the account no longer appears as active.
What to do before you call to close
Check your account balance and make sure it is zero or positive. Log into your Bank of America account online or use the mobile app to see the current balance. If you have money in the account, transfer it to another bank account you control—use a transfer to an external account, which usually takes one to three business days, or withdraw the cash in person at a branch.
Review any automatic payments or recurring charges tied to this account. Look at your recent statements for subscriptions, bill payments, insurance premiums, or loan payments that withdraw from this account. Contact each company or service and update your payment method to a different account or card. Do this at least a week before you close the account, because if a payment tries to process after closure, it will fail and may trigger a returned-payment fee.
Check whether you have direct deposit set up. If your paycheck, government benefits, or other regular deposits go to this account, log into your employer's or benefits provider's website and change the deposit account to your new bank. This usually takes one to two pay cycles to take effect, so make the change early.
Closing by phone
Call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000. Have your account number and a form of identification ready—the representative will ask for your Social Security number or other identifying information to confirm you own the account. Tell them you want to close the account.
The representative will review your account to confirm there are no pending transactions, no negative balance, and no holds. They will ask whether you want to close just this account or all accounts you hold with Bank of America. Answer clearly—if you have a checking account and a savings account, you can close one and keep the other, or close both. Once you confirm, the closure is immediate.
Ask the representative to email or mail you a written confirmation of the closure. This confirmation should include the account number, the date of closure, and a statement that the account is closed. Save this document—you may need it later if the account appears on your credit report or if a payment tries to process after closure.
Closing in person at a branch
Visit any Bank of America branch with a photo ID and your account number. Tell the teller or branch representative that you want to close your account. They will verify your identity and review your account for pending transactions and negative balances, just as a phone representative would.
If your account has a positive balance, the teller can give you a cashier's check, transfer the funds to another account, or let you withdraw the cash. If you prefer a check, ask them to make it payable to you and give you the check on the spot. If you want a transfer to another bank, provide the routing number and account number of your destination account, and the teller will initiate the transfer.
Request a written closure confirmation before you leave the branch. The teller should print or write a receipt showing the account number, closure date, and final balance. Keep this with your records.
Closing through your online account
Log into your Bank of America online account or mobile app. Go to your account settings or profile menu—the exact location varies depending on whether you use the website or app. Look for an option labeled "Close Account," "Manage Account," or "Account Settings." Some accounts may not have an online closure option; if you do not see one, use the phone or branch method instead.
If the online option is available, click it and follow the prompts. Bank of America will ask you to confirm your account number, verify that your balance is zero or positive, and confirm that you have no pending transactions. You will also be asked to state a reason for closing, though this is optional.
After you submit the closure request online, Bank of America will send you a confirmation email within 24 hours. Check your email (including spam folders) for this confirmation. If you do not receive one within a day, call 1-800-432-1000 to confirm the account was closed.
What happens after you close your account
Your account will stop accepting deposits and withdrawals immediately. Any checks you wrote before closure may still process if they have not yet cleared; Bank of America will honor them using the remaining balance or may return them unpaid. If you wrote checks that have not cleared, contact the bank to find out how they will handle them.
Bank of America will send you a final statement showing the closure date and any remaining transactions. This statement may arrive by mail within one to two weeks. Keep this statement for your tax and financial records.
The closed account will remain on your credit report for seven to ten years, but it will be marked as "closed by consumer" rather than "closed by creditor," which is better for your credit score. If you see the account still listed as active on your credit report after 30 to 60 days, contact Bank of America and ask them to update the status with the credit bureaus.
What to do if you cannot close your account
If Bank of America refuses to close your account, the most common reason is a negative balance or an outstanding debt. Check your account statement for any fees, overdrafts, or charges you may have missed. Pay the full amount owed, then call back to close the account.
If you have a pending dispute or fraud claim on the account, the bank may not close it until the investigation is complete. Ask the representative how long the investigation will take and when you can close the account. In the meantime, stop using the account and move your funds elsewhere.
If Bank of America closed your account without your permission, this is called an involuntary closure and usually happens because of repeated overdrafts, suspected fraud, or violation of the account agreement. If this happens, call 1-800-432-1000 and ask why the account was closed. You have the right to know the reason. If you believe the closure was a mistake, ask to speak with a manager and explain your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my Bank of America account hurt my credit score?
Closing an account will not immediately hurt your credit score, but it may have a small negative effect over time because it reduces your total available credit. The account will remain on your credit report for seven to ten years marked as "closed by consumer," which is better than being closed by the bank. The impact is usually minor if you have other open accounts in good standing.
What happens to my debit card when I close my account?
Your debit card will stop working immediately after the account is closed. Destroy the card by cutting it in half or shredding it. If you have a PIN or online banking access, those will also stop working. You do not need to call the bank to deactivate the card separately—closure of the account deactivates it automatically.
Can I reopen a Bank of America account after I close it?
Yes, you can open a new Bank of America account after closing one. However, if the account was closed due to fraud, repeated overdrafts, or violation of the account agreement, the bank may deny your application for a new account. If you closed the account voluntarily with no issues, you can open a new one immediately.
How long does it take for my account to fully close?
The account closure is processed immediately when you close it by phone or in person. Online closures take up to 24 hours. Any pending transactions or checks may still process for a few days after closure, so monitor your account for a week to confirm everything has cleared.
Do I need to close my account in person, or can I do it remotely?
You can close your account by phone or online without visiting a branch. The phone method is fastest and gives you immediate confirmation. In-person closure is useful if you want to withdraw your remaining balance in cash or if you prefer to speak face-to-face with a representative.