In 2025, Bank of America, one of the largest financial institutions in the United States, will permanently close 19 branches across 10 states, continuing a trend of shrinking physical footprints in favor of digital banking solutions. This move reflects a broader shift in the banking industry, driven by changing customer behaviors, technological advancements, and cost-cutting measures. The closures, detailed in reports from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), affect states including California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. This 1500-word article explores the reasons behind these closures, their impact on communities, and the full list of affected locations, while addressing concerns about accessibility for customers who rely on in-person banking services.
Why Are Bank of America Branches Closing?
The decision to close 19 branches in 2025 is part of a strategic pivot toward digital banking, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several factors contribute to this shift:
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Declining Foot Traffic: Customers increasingly prefer mobile apps and online platforms for routine transactions like transfers, bill payments, and balance inquiries. A 2024 study by Self Financial notes that approximately 1,646 bank branches have closed annually in the U.S. since 2018, reflecting reduced demand for physical locations.
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Cost Savings: Operating brick-and-mortar branches involves significant expenses, including rent, staffing, maintenance, and utilities. Digital platforms offer a scalable, cost-effective alternative, allowing banks to serve a larger customer base with lower overhead.
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Pandemic-Driven Habits: The COVID-19 pandemic permanently altered consumer behavior, with many adopting online banking out of necessity. This shift has persisted, reducing the need for physical branches.
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Industry-Wide Trend: Bank of America is not alone. Major banks like Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, and Flagstar Financial are also closing branches. For instance, Flagstar plans to shutter 60 locations in 2025 after reporting a $845 million net loss in 2024.
Since 2022, Bank of America has closed approximately 200 branches, with the 2025 closures adding to this tally. The bank’s focus on digital infrastructure, including enhanced mobile apps and cybersecurity, aims to meet evolving customer needs while optimizing resources.
Full List of Bank of America Branch Closures in 2025
According to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and various reports, the following 19 Bank of America branches are scheduled to close in 2025, spanning 10 states. The closures are staggered throughout the year, with some already completed and others set for mid-to-late 2025. Below is the comprehensive list, grouped by state:
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California (7 branches):
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1107 South Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia
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300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland
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3491 McKee Road, San Jose
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2927 Mission Street, San Francisco
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2049 Century Park East, Los Angeles
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333 Santana Row, San Jose
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800 Irving Street, San Francisco
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Florida (2 branches):
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1819 South Federal Highway, Delray Beach
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19645 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura
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Illinois (2 branches):
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1080 South Elmhurst Road, Mount Prospect
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10101 South Cicero Avenue, Oak Lawn
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Kentucky (1 branch):
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5500 Preston Highway, Louisville
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Massachusetts (1 branch):
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250 Granite Street, Braintree
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Nevada (1 branch):
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3010 West Ann Road, North Las Vegas
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South Carolina (1 branch):
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2111 Savannah Highway, Charleston
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Texas (2 branches):
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601 South Bowen Road, Arlington
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7205 West Vickery Boulevard, Fort Worth
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Virginia (1 branch):
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11704 Lee Highway, Fairfax
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Washington (1 branch):
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22833 Northeast 8th Street, Sammamish
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These closures affect both high-density urban areas and moderate-traffic regions, with California facing the most significant impact, losing seven branches.
Impact on Customers and Communities
The closure of these branches raises concerns about accessibility, particularly for groups who rely on in-person banking services. While digital banking offers convenience for tech-savvy customers, it poses challenges for others:
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Elderly Customers: Older adults often prefer face-to-face interactions and may struggle with mobile apps or online platforms due to limited digital literacy or access to technology.
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Low-Income Communities: Individuals without reliable internet or modern devices face barriers to digital banking, potentially exacerbating financial exclusion.
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People with Disabilities: Physical branches often provide accessibility features not available online, such as in-person assistance or tactile ATMs.
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Rural and Underserved Areas: Closures can create “banking deserts,” where residents must travel long distances to access financial services. The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia reports that 12.3 million Americans lived in banking deserts between 2019 and 2023, a number likely to grow with ongoing closures.
The Charleston, South Carolina, closure is particularly notable. After the Savannah Highway branch closes in October 2025, the nearest Bank of America financial center will be in Hilton Head, potentially inconveniencing local customers. Similarly, in Fairfax, Virginia, the closure of the Lee Highway branch leaves nearby Lorton and Fairfax branches as alternatives, but these may not be easily accessible for all.
Local economies may also feel the impact. Branch closures often lead to job losses, affecting tellers, managers, and support staff. These layoffs can ripple through communities, reducing economic activity in areas already struggling with limited financial services.
Bank of America’s Response and Alternatives
Bank of America is taking steps to mitigate the impact of these closures and ensure continuity of service:
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Digital Banking Enhancements: The bank’s mobile app and online platform support a wide range of transactions, including check deposits, bill payments, and live chat support. Customers are encouraged to enroll in digital banking to maintain access to services.
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ATM Availability: Bank of America assures customers that ATMs will remain operational, allowing cash withdrawals and deposits without visiting a branch.
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Alternative Branches: The bank is notifying affected customers about nearby branches that remain open. For example, in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, multiple locations will continue to serve customers despite the closure of the South Bowen Road branch.
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Personalized Assistance: For those struggling with the transition to digital banking, Bank of America offers support via phone or chat to guide customers through online processes.
The bank is also investing heavily in technology and cybersecurity to enhance its digital offerings, ensuring that customers can manage their finances securely from anywhere.
Industry Context: A Broader Trend
Bank of America’s closures are part of a larger wave of branch reductions across the U.S. banking sector. In the first three months of 2025 alone, over 320 branches from various institutions, including Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, and Flagstar, were marked for closure. The Federal Reserve’s hawkish monetary policies since 2022, aimed at curbing inflation, have strained bank balance sheets, prompting cost-cutting measures. The 2023 failures of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and First Republic Bank underscored these challenges, though Bank of America has navigated them more successfully.
The rise of digital banking has also intensified competition. Smaller regional banks struggle to match the digital capabilities of giants like Bank of America, leading to consolidation and closures. Between 2000 and 2020, the number of U.S. commercial banks dropped by nearly 50%, reflecting this shift. Banks are also redesigning remaining branches, replacing traditional teller lines with self-service kiosks and consultation areas for financial planning, further reducing the need for large physical footprints Ascending branch closures are not a new phenomenon. The trend began during the Great Recession and gained momentum post-COVID. If current trends persist, experts predict physical bank branches could become nearly obsolete by 2041.
What This Means for Customers
For customers affected by the 2025 closures, the transition to digital banking or alternative branches is critical. Here are some steps to prepare:
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Enroll in Online Banking: Download the Bank of America app and set up online access to manage accounts seamlessly.
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Locate Nearby ATMs or Branches: Check Bank of America’s website for the closest alternative locations.
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Seek Assistance: Contact customer service for help with digital banking or account transitions.
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Explore Other Options: Consider credit unions or regional banks that may maintain physical branches in your area.
For those who prefer in-person banking, these closures underscore the importance of planning ahead. ATMs remain a viable option for basic transactions, and Bank of America’s digital tools are robust, but accessibility remains a concern for vulnerable populations.
In Summary
The closure of 19 Bank of America branches in 2025 across California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington reflects the banking industry’s shift toward digitalization. While this move aligns with cost-saving goals and changing customer habits, it raises concerns about accessibility for elderly, low-income, and rural customers. Bank of America is addressing these challenges with enhanced digital services, ATM access, and support for affected customers, but the closures highlight a broader trend that could reshape banking by 2041. Customers are encouraged to adapt to digital platforms or locate alternative branches to ensure uninterrupted access to financial services.