You can close a Bank of America savings account online through the mobile app or website, but only if the account has a zero balance and no pending transactions
Bank of America lets you close a savings account from your phone or computer, but the process has hard limits. The account must have exactly zero dollars in it—not close to zero, but zero. If there are any pending deposits, withdrawals, or holds, the system will not let you proceed. If your account has money in it or unresolved activity, you will need to move the funds first or call to close it.
The online closure takes a few minutes once the account is ready. You do not need to visit a branch or mail anything. Bank of America will send you a confirmation email, and the account closes within one to two business days. After that, the account number becomes inactive and cannot receive deposits.
Key Takeaways
- Your savings account must show a zero balance with no pending transactions before you can close it online through the app or website.
- If money is still in the account, transfer it to another Bank of America account or an external bank account first.
- The online closure process takes a few minutes, and Bank of America will email you a confirmation.
- After closure, the account becomes inactive within one to two business days and cannot receive new deposits.
- If you cannot close the account online, calling 1-800-432-1000 is faster than visiting a branch.
Steps to close your account online through the Bank of America app
Open the Bank of America mobile app and sign in. Go to the account you want to close and look for the menu or settings option—this is usually three horizontal lines or a gear icon. Tap Account Details or Manage Account. Scroll down until you see an option that says Close Account or Close This Account. The exact wording varies by app version.
Tap that option. The app will show you the current balance and ask you to confirm that the account is empty. If the balance is not zero, you cannot proceed—go back and transfer the remaining funds. Once the balance shows zero and there are no pending items, confirm the closure. The app will ask you to review the details one more time, then submit. You will see a confirmation number on screen and receive an email confirmation within a few minutes.
Steps to close your account online through the Bank of America website
Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com. Click on the savings account you want to close. Look for a menu labeled Account Services, Settings, or a three-dot menu icon. Select Close Account. The website will display the current balance and any pending activity.
If the balance is zero and there are no holds or pending transactions, you can proceed. Review the closure details and confirm. Bank of America will show you a confirmation number and send an email within minutes. The account will be marked as closed in your profile, though it may take one to two business days for the system to fully deactivate it.
What to do if your account has a balance or pending activity
If you see a balance when you try to close the account, you must move that money before you can proceed. You have two options: transfer the funds to another Bank of America account you own, or transfer them to an external bank account. Both take a few minutes to set up.
To transfer within Bank of America, go to Transfers in the app or website, select the savings account as the source, and choose your destination account. Enter the amount and confirm. The transfer usually completes the same day or the next business day. Once the money arrives in the other account and the savings account balance shows zero, you can close it.
To transfer to an external bank, you will need the routing number and account number of the receiving bank. This process can take one to three business days depending on the other bank. Wait until the transfer completes and the balance is zero before attempting to close the account online.
If you see pending transactions that are not your own, call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 to ask about them. Sometimes a hold from a merchant or a pending deposit can block closure. The bank can clear these or close the account over the phone if the online option will not work.
Why Bank of America might not let you close the account online
The most common reason is a non-zero balance. The second is a pending transaction—a deposit that has not cleared, a hold placed by a merchant, or a withdrawal that is still processing. A third reason is an active overdraft protection or linked credit line. If your savings account is linked to overdraft protection on a checking account, you may need to remove that link first.
Some accounts also cannot be closed online if they are part of a special product, such as a student account or a promotional savings account with restrictions. In those cases, you will see a message saying the account cannot be closed through the app or website. Call 1-800-432-1000 and a representative can close it for you over the phone, usually in the same call.
What happens after you close the account
Once you confirm the closure, Bank of America deactivates the account within one to two business days. The account number becomes inactive and cannot receive deposits. If someone tries to send money to that account number, the transfer will fail or be returned.
You will receive a final statement by mail or email, depending on your preferences. This statement covers activity up to the closure date. Keep it for your records. If you had automatic transfers or bill payments set up with this account, those will stop, so make sure you have moved any recurring payments to another account beforehand.
If you closed the account in error or change your mind within a short window, call Bank of America when ready. They may be able to reopen it, but this depends on how long ago you closed it and whether the account has already been fully deactivated in their system. The sooner you call, the better your chances.
When to call instead of closing online
Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 if the online closure option is not available, if you cannot get the balance to zero, or if you have questions about pending activity. You can also call if you want to close the account but keep other Bank of America products open—the representative can confirm that closing this one account will not affect your checking account or credit cards.
Calling is also the right choice if you have a special account type that the app or website will not let you close. The phone line is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or mid-week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my savings account affect my checking account or credit score?
Closing a savings account does not affect your checking account—they are separate products. It will not hurt your credit score because savings accounts do not appear on your credit report. Bank of America may note the closure in your account history, but this has no impact on your ability to open new accounts with them or other banks.
What if I closed the account by mistake?
Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 right away. If the account is still in the process of closing, they may be able to stop it. If it has already been fully deactivated, reopening it is possible but depends on how much time has passed and the bank's policies. The sooner you call, the better your chances of reversing the closure.
Can I close the account if I have a negative balance?
No. A negative balance means you owe Bank of America money. You must bring the account to zero or positive before closing. Contact the bank to discuss payment options if you cannot cover the negative balance when ready.
How long does it take for the account to fully close after I confirm online?
The account is marked as closed when ready after you confirm, but it takes one to two business days for Bank of America to fully deactivate it in their system. During this time, the account number becomes inactive and cannot receive deposits. You will receive a confirmation email within minutes of submitting the closure request.
Do I need to close the account in person at a branch?
No. Bank of America allows you to close savings accounts online through the app or website. You do not need to visit a branch unless you prefer to, or if the online option is not available for your specific account type.