You can close a Bank of America savings account online through your account settings, but the process depends on your account balance and whether you have linked accounts
Bank of America lets you close a savings account through their website or mobile app without visiting a branch. The steps are straightforward if your account has a zero balance and no pending transactions. If your account still holds money, you will need to transfer or withdraw those funds first — the bank will not close an account with a balance.
The online closure process takes a few minutes once your account is ready. After you submit the request, Bank of America will send you a confirmation email. Keep that email for your records, because it shows the account closure date and any final details about your account.
Key Takeaways
- Your savings account must have a zero balance before Bank of America will close it online.
- You can start the closure process through the Bank of America website or mobile app under account settings.
- If you have direct deposits or automatic payments linked to this account, you should update those before closing.
- Bank of America will email you a confirmation once the closure is complete, usually within one to two business days.
Steps to close your account online
Log into your Bank of America account on the website or open the mobile app. Go to the account settings or account management section — this is usually found by tapping your profile icon or selecting "Settings" from the menu. Look for the option that says "Close Account" or "Account Services." Bank of America groups this under account management, not under a general help section.
Select your savings account from the list of accounts. The system will show you your current balance. If the balance is not zero, you cannot proceed — you will see a message telling you to transfer or withdraw the remaining funds first. Once your balance is zero, the "Close Account" button will become active and you can click it to continue.
Review the information Bank of America shows you about the closure. This screen confirms which account is closing and asks you to verify that you want to proceed. Click the final confirmation button. You will receive an on-screen confirmation and an email confirmation within a few minutes.
What to do before closing: moving money and updating payments
Before you start the closure process, transfer any remaining balance to another account. You can move money to another Bank of America account you own, or to an account at a different bank. If you use the Bank of America app or website, you can transfer to an external account in minutes using the transfer tool — you will need the other bank's routing number and your account number there.
Check whether you have any automatic deposits or payments tied to this savings account. If your paycheck goes directly to this account, you will need to update your employer's payroll system with a different account number before you close it. The same applies to automatic bill payments or transfers. If you close the account while payments are still scheduled, those payments may fail and create problems with your creditors or service providers.
Look for any pending transactions. If you recently made a transfer or payment that has not cleared yet, wait for it to complete before closing the account. Closing an account with pending activity can delay the closure or cause the transaction to fail.
If you cannot close your account online
Some situations require you to close your account at a branch instead. If you have a linked credit card or line of credit attached to this savings account, the online system may not let you proceed — you will need to speak with a banker to unlink those products first. If you have a dispute or hold on the account, or if the account is overdrawn, you will also need to visit a branch or call Bank of America to resolve that before closure.
If the online closure tool is not working or you see an error message, try logging out and back in. If the problem continues, call Bank of America's customer service number on the back of your debit card or visit a local branch. A banker can close the account for you over the phone or in person, and they can also troubleshoot why the online option did not work.
What happens after your account closes
Bank of America will stop charging any monthly maintenance fees once the account is closed. If you had a monthly fee on this account, it will not appear on your next statement. The account will no longer show up in your online banking dashboard or mobile app — it will move to a closed accounts section that you can view if you need to reference old statements.
You can still view your transaction history and statements from the closed account for a period of time through your Bank of America account. If you need copies of old statements after the account is closed, you can request them from Bank of America, though they may charge a fee for statements older than a certain period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my savings account has a small balance I cannot transfer?
Withdraw the remaining balance at an ATM or at a Bank of America branch. You can also transfer it to another account you own, even if the amount is very small. Bank of America will not close an account with any balance remaining, no matter how small.
Will closing my savings account hurt my credit score?
Closing a savings account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit history — borrowing and repaying loans or credit cards. A savings account is not a credit product, so closing it has no impact on your credit report or score.
Can I reopen the account after I close it?
You can open a new Bank of America savings account at any time, but you cannot reopen the exact same closed account. If you think you might need the account again soon, you may want to keep it open instead. Closing and reopening accounts can sometimes trigger new account review processes.
How long does it take for the account to fully close?
Bank of America usually closes the account within one to two business days after you submit the request online. You will receive an email confirmation when the closure is complete. If you need the account closed by a specific date, contact Bank of America directly to confirm timing.
Do I need to close my debit card when I close my savings account?
Your debit card is tied to your checking account, not your savings account, so closing the savings account does not affect your card. If your debit card is linked to the savings account for overdraft protection, you should remove that link before closing the account.