The steps to close a Bank of America credit card

To close a Bank of America credit card, call the customer service number on the back of your card and tell the representative you want to close the account. They will confirm your identity, review your account balance, and process the closure. The entire call usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. After you hang up, Bank of America will send you a written confirmation in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Before you call, pay your balance in full or as close to zero as possible. If you have an outstanding balance when you close, you will still owe it — the card simply stops accepting new charges. Interest will continue to accrue on any remaining balance until you pay it off completely.

You can also close your account through the Bank of America mobile app or online banking portal by navigating to your card settings and selecting the closure option, though speaking to a representative by phone is faster and gives you a record of the request.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the number on the back of your Bank of America card to close it; the process takes about 15 minutes and you will receive written confirmation by mail.
  • Pay your full balance before closing, because any remaining balance will still accrue interest even after the account is closed.
  • Closing a card reduces your total available credit, which may raise your credit utilization ratio and temporarily lower your credit score.
  • Bank of America will continue to report the closed account to the credit bureaus for up to 10 years, so the account history remains on your report.

What happens to your balance when you close the account

If you have a balance remaining on the card when you close it, that debt does not disappear. You remain responsible for paying it in full, and Bank of America will continue to charge interest at your current APR until the balance reaches zero. The card itself will no longer work for new purchases, but the account stays open in the background to collect payments.

The best practice is to pay the entire balance before you call to close. If you cannot pay it all at once, pay as much as you can, then close the account and continue making monthly payments on the remaining balance. This prevents surprise interest charges and keeps your account in good standing.

If you have a promotional 0% APR period still active on the card, closing the account does not end that period — you will keep the 0% rate for the remaining time on any balance you carry. However, once the promotional period ends, the regular APR kicks in on whatever balance remains.

How closing affects your credit score

Closing a credit card can lower your credit score in the short term, usually by 5 to 15 points, because it reduces your total available credit. Credit scoring models look at your credit utilization ratio — the amount you owe divided by the total credit available to you. When you close a card, that available credit shrinks, which raises your utilization ratio even if your actual debt stays the same.

For example, if you have two cards with $5,000 limits each ($10,000 total) and you owe $3,000, your utilization is 30%. If you close one card, your available credit drops to $5,000, and your utilization jumps to 60% on the same $3,000 balance. This change is reflected in your credit score within 30 to 45 days.

The impact is temporary. As you pay down other balances and time passes, your score will recover. The closed account itself remains on your credit report for 7 to 10 years, which actually helps your score over time because it shows a history of responsible credit use.

What Bank of America reports to credit bureaus after closure

After you close your Bank of America card, the bank reports the account status as "closed by customer" to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This notation stays on your credit report for up to 10 years. The account history — your payment record, credit limit, and opening date — remains visible to lenders during that time.

Lenders can see that you closed the account, but they also see that you closed it in good standing (assuming you have no late payments). This is actually a positive signal: it shows you managed the account responsibly and made the decision to close it yourself rather than having it closed due to inactivity or default.

The account will eventually fall off your credit report entirely after 10 years of closure. Until then, it continues to count toward your credit history length, which is another factor that affects your score.

Timing: when to close before or after paying off debt

Close the account after you have paid the balance to zero, not before. If you close while carrying a balance, you lock yourself into paying interest on that debt with no ability to make new purchases or shift the balance to another card. You also lose any remaining promotional rates.

If you are paying down the balance over time, you can close the account once the balance hits zero. There is no benefit to waiting after that point. The sooner you close, the sooner the account stops appearing as an active line of credit on your report, which can help your utilization ratio if you have other cards with balances.

If you are closing because you want to stop using the card but still have a balance, do not close yet. Keep the account open while you pay it down. Once it reaches zero, then call to close.

What to do with the physical card after closure

After Bank of America confirms the closure, destroy the physical card by cutting it in half or shredding it. Do not throw it away intact. This prevents anyone who finds it from attempting to use the card number, even though the account is closed and the card will be declined.

You do not need to return the card to Bank of America. The closure is complete once the account is closed in their system. Destroying the card is simply a security precaution on your end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reopen a Bank of America credit card after I close it?

Bank of America may allow you to reopen a recently closed account if you call within a short window, usually 30 to 60 days. After that, the account is permanently closed and cannot be reopened. If you want credit from Bank of America again, you would need to open a new card, which means a new credit inquiry and a new account on your report.

What if I have an outstanding balance when I close?

You can still close the account. The balance remains your responsibility and will continue to accrue interest at your current APR. You will receive a statement each month showing the remaining balance and minimum payment due. Pay it the same way you would if the account were still open.

Will closing my card hurt my credit score?

Yes, usually by 5 to 15 points in the short term, because closing reduces your available credit and raises your utilization ratio. The impact is temporary and lessens as you pay down other balances. The closed account helps your score over time by showing a long history of responsible credit use.

How long does it take for Bank of America to close my account?

The closure is processed immediately when you call or submit the request online. You will receive written confirmation in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. The account will show as closed on your credit report within 30 to 45 days.

Do I need to call Bank of America to close, or can I do it online?

You can close through the mobile app or online banking, but calling the customer service number on the back of your card is faster and gives you a confirmation number and a record of the request. Either method works, but phone is recommended if you want immediate confirmation.