Yes, you can close a Bank of America savings account online through their website or mobile app
Bank of America lets you close a savings account without visiting a branch or calling. You do it through your online banking portal or the mobile app by navigating to your account settings, selecting the account you want to close, and following the closure steps. The process takes a few minutes, but there are things you need to handle first—mainly making sure your account balance is zero and that no automatic payments or transfers are tied to it.
The actual closure happens when ready once you confirm, but the account may stay visible in your history for a period afterward. Any remaining balance gets mailed to you as a check, which typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
Key Takeaways
- You can close your savings account through Bank of America's website or mobile app without visiting a branch.
- Your account balance must be zero before closure—withdraw or transfer any remaining money first.
- Cancel any automatic transfers, bill payments, or direct deposits linked to the account before you close it.
- If money remains in the account after you initiate closure, Bank of America will mail you a check within 7 to 10 business days.
- The closed account will no longer appear in your active accounts list, though Bank of America keeps records for your history.
What you need to do before closing the account
Before you start the closure process, withdraw or transfer your entire balance to another account. Bank of America will not let you close an account with money in it. If you have a small balance and want to keep things straightforward, transfer it to a checking account you already have with them, or to an account at another bank.
Next, check for any automatic transactions tied to the savings account. This includes direct deposits, automatic bill payments, recurring transfers, or standing orders. Log into your account and review the last few months of activity to catch anything you might have forgotten about. If you find automatic payments or transfers, cancel them before you close the account. Trying to close an account with active transactions pending will either block the closure or create problems when those transactions fail.
If you have a linked checking account that you use for overdraft protection, confirm that the savings account is no longer set as the backup. You can change this in your account settings under "Overdraft Protection" or "Linked Accounts."
Steps to close your account online
Log into your Bank of America account through the website or mobile app. On the website, go to the Accounts tab and find your savings account in the list. On the mobile app, tap the menu icon and select Accounts.
Select the savings account you want to close. Look for an option labeled "Close Account," "Account Settings," or "Manage Account"—the exact wording varies slightly between the website and app. Tap or click it.
Bank of America will ask you to confirm the account balance is zero and that you understand the account will be closed. You may also see a brief message asking why you are closing the account—this is optional feedback and does not affect the closure. Confirm your choice, and the account closes when ready.
You will receive a confirmation message on screen and via email. Keep this confirmation for your records. If there was any remaining balance in the account, Bank of America will process a check and mail it to your address on file.
What happens to your account after closure
Once closed, the account no longer appears in your list of active accounts. You cannot make deposits, withdrawals, or transfers to it. If someone tries to send money to the account—such as a paycheck or a transfer from another person—that transaction will fail and the money will be returned to the sender.
Bank of America keeps records of closed accounts for your history and for regulatory reasons. You can still view the account in your transaction history if you need to reference old statements or activity. The bank typically keeps these records available for several years.
If you closed the account by mistake or change your mind shortly after, contact Bank of America directly. They may be able to reopen it within a short window, though this depends on how long ago you closed it and whether the account has already been fully processed for closure.
Timing and what to expect
The closure itself is when ready—once you confirm online, the account is closed. However, if there was a balance remaining, the check takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail. Do not expect the funds to appear in another account; Bank of America sends a physical check.
Any pending transactions that were scheduled to post after you close the account will fail. If you have automatic bill payments set up elsewhere that pull from this savings account, those payments will bounce. This is why canceling automatic transactions before closure is critical.
If you are closing the account because you are switching banks entirely, make sure you have already set up direct deposit and automatic payments with your new bank before you close the Bank of America account. This prevents a gap where paychecks or bills have nowhere to go.
If you cannot close the account online
Some accounts cannot be closed through the online portal. This typically happens if the account is linked to a credit product, has a pending dispute, is overdrawn, or has a hold placed on it by the bank. In these cases, you will see a message explaining why closure is not available online.
You can close the account by calling Bank of America at the number on the back of your debit card or by visiting a branch in person. Phone closure usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. If you go to a branch, bring a photo ID and be prepared to answer security questions to verify your identity.
If there is a hold on the account or a dispute in progress, you may need to resolve that first before closure is possible. Bank of America will explain what needs to happen and how long it typically takes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my savings account hurt my credit score?
No. Closing a savings account does not affect your credit because savings accounts are not reported to credit bureaus. Only credit products like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit show up on your credit report. Closing a savings account is purely an account management action.
What if I have pending transactions when I try to close?
Bank of America will not let you close the account if there are pending transactions. Wait for them to post or cancel them manually before you try again. If you are unsure whether a transaction is still pending, check your recent activity or contact the bank.
Can I reopen a closed savings account?
Bank of America may reopen a recently closed account if you contact them quickly, usually within a few days. After that, reopening becomes more difficult. If you need the account back, call the bank or visit a branch as soon as possible to ask.
Do I need to close my account before opening a new one?
No. You can open a new Bank of America savings account at any time, even while your old one is still open. You do not need to close one before opening another. Many people keep multiple savings accounts for different purposes.
What if my check for the remaining balance never arrives?
If more than 10 business days have passed and you have not received the check, contact Bank of America with your confirmation number from the closure. They can issue a replacement check or deposit the funds directly to another account you have with them.