You can close a Bank of America account by phone, in person, or online, but the method depends on the account type and whether you have an outstanding balance

Bank of America lets you close most checking and savings accounts through their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000, at any branch in person, or through the mobile app for some account types. Before you close, you need a zero balance — if money remains, you transfer it out first. If you owe the bank money (overdraft fees, negative balance), that gets settled before closure. The process itself takes a few minutes on the phone or in person, though it can take up to 10 business days for the account to fully close in their system.

The fastest route for most people is the phone line, since you do not need to travel to a branch. In-person closure works better if you have money to transfer out and want to handle it face-to-face, or if you have questions about your account history. Online closure through the app is available for some account types but not all.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring your account balance to zero before closing; any remaining funds need to be transferred out and any debts paid off first.
  • Phone closure at 1-800-432-1000 is the fastest method for most people and requires only your account number and ID verification.
  • In-person closure at a branch lets you handle the transfer and close in one visit, useful if you have questions about your account history.
  • After you request closure, the account typically disappears from your online access within hours but may take up to 10 business days to fully close in Bank of America's system.
  • Check for unclaimed funds, pending transactions, and automatic payments linked to the account before you close.

Prepare your account before you call or visit

Start by making sure your account balance is exactly zero. If you have money in the account, transfer it to another bank account you control — you can do this through Bank of America's online banking, the mobile app, or by visiting a branch. If the account is overdrawn or you owe fees, those amounts must be paid first. Bank of America will not close an account with a negative balance.

Next, check for any automatic payments or recurring charges tied to the account. Look at your recent statements for subscriptions, bill payments, or transfers that happen on a schedule. You need to move these to a different account or cancel them before closure, otherwise the payments will fail and may trigger overdraft fees on an account you are trying to close. Log into your online banking and review the last three months of transactions to catch anything you might have forgotten about.

If you have a safe deposit box at Bank of America, you cannot close the account until the box is emptied and that rental agreement is ended separately. Visit your branch to handle this — it is a different process from account closure. Also check whether you have any outstanding checks that have not cleared; if you do, wait for them to process before you close.

Close by phone with Bank of America customer service

Call 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your account. Have your account number and a government-issued ID ready — they will ask you to verify your identity by providing your Social Security number or other identifying information. The representative will confirm your balance is zero and ask why you are closing (this is optional to answer).

The representative will then process the closure request. They will give you a confirmation number and tell you the account will be closed. Ask them to confirm the closure date and whether any pending transactions are still processing — if there are, you may need to wait for those to clear before the account fully closes. Write down the confirmation number in case you need to reference it later.

After you hang up, the account will usually disappear from your online banking within a few hours. However, Bank of America's back-end system may take up to 10 business days to fully process the closure. If you see the account still listed after a week, this is normal — it will disappear on its own.

Close in person at a Bank of America branch

Walk into any Bank of America branch with your government-issued ID and account number. Tell the teller you want to close the account. If you still have money in the account, the teller can transfer it to another account or issue you a cashier's check on the spot. If you owe money, you can pay it at the same time.

The teller will process the closure and give you a receipt with a confirmation number. This is your proof the account was closed, so keep it. The account will be removed from your online access within hours, though the full closure in their system may take up to 10 business days.

Closing in person is useful if you have questions about your account history, want to review old statements, or prefer to handle the money transfer face-to-face. It also eliminates any chance of miscommunication over the phone. If you are transferring a large amount of money, the teller can walk you through the options and make sure the funds reach your new account safely.

Close through the Bank of America mobile app or online banking

Bank of America allows closure of some account types through their mobile app and online banking portal, though not all accounts can be closed this way. Log in and look for a "Close Account" or "Account Services" option — the exact location varies depending on your account type and whether you are using the app or website.

If the option is available for your account, you will be asked to confirm your balance is zero and review the closure terms. After you submit, you will receive a confirmation number. If you do not see a closure option in your app or online banking, your account type does not support online closure — use the phone or branch method instead.

Online closure is the fastest if it is available to you, since there is no wait time for a representative. However, you lose the chance to ask questions or handle a money transfer in real time. This method works best if your account is already at zero and you have no outstanding issues.

What happens after you close your account

Once closure is processed, you will no longer be able to use the debit card, write checks, or access the account online. Any pending transactions that have not yet cleared may still post to the account after closure is requested — Bank of America will handle these by deducting from the account even though it is closed, or by returning the transaction if there are no funds. This is rare but can happen with checks or automatic payments that were in flight when you closed.

If you receive mail from Bank of America about the account after closure, it is usually just confirmation or a final statement. If you receive a bill or notice of a charge after the account is closed, contact them when ready — this may indicate a transaction that was not properly cleared before closure.

Keep your confirmation number for at least a year. If there is ever a dispute about whether the account was closed, or if a charge appears after closure, you will need it to prove when you requested the closure. Bank of America may also send you a final statement showing the account closure date.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Wait for pending transactions to clear before you close. If you close with a pending transaction, Bank of America will attempt to process it against the closed account. If there are no funds, the transaction will be returned to the sender. Contact the sender to resubmit the payment to your new account once it is open.

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

Yes, you can open a new account at any time. However, if you closed the account due to a dispute or problem, Bank of America may review your history before approving a new account. There is no waiting period — you can open a new account the same day you close the old one.

Do I need to close my account in person if I have a lot of money in it?

No, but you do need to transfer the money out first. You can transfer large amounts through online banking, the mobile app, or by visiting a branch. There is no limit on how much you can transfer out before closing, as long as the account balance reaches zero.

What if Bank of America says they cannot close my account?

This usually means there is still a balance, an outstanding debt, or a pending transaction. Ask the representative what is preventing closure and what you need to do to resolve it. If there is a dispute about the balance or a charge you do not recognize, ask to speak with a supervisor.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

Closing a checking or savings account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit accounts like credit cards and loans, not deposit accounts. However, if you close an account with an outstanding debt, that debt will still be reported to credit bureaus.