When you have a savings or checking account with Bank of America, they require you to maintain a minimum balance in that account. If you fail to maintain this minimum balance, the bank will charge you a monthly fee of up to $25.
This means that if you were to frequently keep a very small balance in your bank account each month, you could end up paying as much as $300 by the end of each year. There are alternatives to this. Some people are closing their BofA accounts and switching to banks that do not have minimum balance requirements on savings and checking accounts.
If you no longer need your Bank of America account and would rather become a customer of a different bank, then you should take steps to close your Bank of America account. There are multiple methods available for closing your account. You just need to choose the option that is most convenient for you.
Before you begin the process of closing the account, you should first have a new bank account readily available with a different financial institution. This way, you can transfer the existing money in your Bank of America account over to your new bank account.
Once you get the balance in your Bank of America account to $0, start updating the payment information on file with your creditors, lenders, utility companies, and any other companies that you automatically pay every month through your bank account. There will now be nothing linked to your old account and no money in it.
Next, go to the bank website and download any monthly bank statements from your old account. You may need them in the future. Close account statements be difficult to obtain, so get these while the account is still open.
Close Bank of America Account Over the Phone
At this point, you are ready to start the closing procedure. If you prefer the fastest and most convenient way to close your Bank of America account, then you can call their toll-free customer support service at 1-800-432-1000. One of their representatives will take steps to close your account upon request.
Close Bank of America Account via the Mail
You can mail a signed written account closure request to their address at:
Bank of America
FL1-300-01-29
PO Box 25118
Tampa, FL 33622-5118
Close Bank of America Account at a Branch
Lastly, you can always visit your local Bank of America branch and close your account in person. Be prepared to provide personal information to verify your identity. The banker will likely ask for your social security number, address, birthday, PIN, and any other sensitive information that only you would know. This is a security measure to ensure that you’re the true account holder.
Close Bank of America Account Online
There is currently no option to close your BofA account over the internet at bankofamerica.com or through their iPhone/Android phone app.
Once again, this is probably a security precaution taken to avoid third parties from having the power to close your account without your permission. Even though it might be less convenient, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Other Banks
If you also have a Chase bank account you wish to close, read our article: How to Close a Chase Bank Account
For other banks, read our all-purpose article about closing bank accounts: How to Close a Bank Account
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