You can close a Bank of America savings account in person, by phone, or by mail, but you need a zero balance first and should know what happens to any remaining funds

Bank of America does not charge a fee to close a savings account. Before you close, you must withdraw or transfer out all the money in the account — the bank will not close an account with a balance. Once the account is empty, you can request closure through any of three routes: walk into a branch with your ID, call customer service, or send a written request by mail. The process itself takes a few minutes if you go in person, or up to 10 business days if you use phone or mail.

The timing matters if you have automatic deposits or payments tied to the account. If your paycheck or a bill payment is scheduled to hit that account after you close it, the transaction will fail. Check your employer's payroll system and any billers you pay from that account, and redirect them before you submit the closure request.

Key Takeaways

  • Your savings account must have a zero balance before Bank of America will close it; you cannot close an account with money still in it.
  • You can close the account in person at any branch, by calling 1-800-432-1000, or by mailing a written request to your local branch.
  • If you have automatic deposits or bill payments linked to the account, redirect them to another account before you request closure.
  • The bank will send you written confirmation of the closure, usually within 10 business days if you close by phone or mail.
  • Any pending transactions or holds on the account may delay closure, so contact the bank if your closure request is not processed within two weeks.

Withdraw or transfer your balance to another account

You cannot close the account while money is in it. Move the full balance to another account — either another Bank of America account you own, or an account at a different bank. You can transfer money online if both accounts are in your name, or withdraw cash and deposit it elsewhere. If the balance is small, you can also withdraw it as cash and keep it, though that leaves you without a record of the transaction.

If there is a hold on the account — usually because of a recent deposit or a dispute — the bank may not let you withdraw the full balance. Ask a teller or call customer service to find out whether a hold exists and when it will lift. Do not request closure until the hold is gone and you can access all your money.

Close in person at a Bank of America branch

Bring your ID and your savings account number. Walk into any Bank of America branch during business hours and tell a teller you want to close the account. The teller will confirm the balance is zero, process the closure, and give you a receipt. This is the fastest method — it takes about five minutes, and you have when ready confirmation that the account is closed.

If you do not have your account number memorized, bring your debit card or a recent statement. The teller can look it up from your ID alone, but having the number speeds things up. If the branch is busy, you may wait, but the actual closure takes only a few minutes once you reach a teller.

Close by phone with Bank of America customer service

Call 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your savings account. Have your account number and ID ready. The representative will confirm the balance is zero, process the request, and give you a confirmation number. Write down this number — you will need it if you have questions later or if the closure does not appear in your records.

The account closure usually takes effect within 10 business days. The bank will mail you written confirmation to the address on file. If you do not receive confirmation within two weeks, call back with your confirmation number and ask for a status update. Phone closure is useful if you do not live near a branch or cannot visit during business hours.

Close by mail with a written request

Write a letter to your local Bank of America branch requesting closure of your savings account. Include your full name, account number, the date, and your signature. Mail it to the branch address — you can find this on your statement or by searching Bank of America's branch locator online. Include a copy of your ID if the branch requests it, though many do not.

Processing by mail takes longer than phone or in-person closure. Allow 10 to 15 business days from the date the bank receives your letter. You will not get a confirmation number, so keep a copy of your letter and note the date you mailed it. If you do not see the account closed after 15 business days, call customer service with your account number and the date you mailed the request.

Check for pending transactions and automatic payments before you close

Review your account for any automatic deposits, bill payments, or recurring charges. If your paycheck deposits to this account, contact your employer's payroll department and redirect it to another account. If you pay bills from this account, log into each biller's website and update the account number or payment method.

Pending transactions — deposits or charges that have been authorized but not yet posted — can complicate closure. If you see a pending transaction, wait for it to post before you request closure. If a charge posts after you close the account, the bank may reopen it temporarily to process the transaction, which delays your final closure confirmation.

What happens after your account closes

Once closed, you cannot use the account number to receive deposits or make payments. Any attempt to deposit money to the closed account will be rejected and returned to the sender. The bank keeps records of the closed account for your file, so you can reference transactions from that account if you need them later for tax or legal purposes.

If you change your mind within a short window — usually 30 days — you may be able to reopen the account. Call customer service and ask whether reopening is possible. After 30 days, reopening becomes difficult or impossible, and you would need to open a new savings account instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I have a negative balance or owe the bank money?

You cannot close the account until the negative balance is paid off. Deposit money to bring the account to zero, then request closure. If you do not pay the negative balance, the bank may close the account on its own and send the debt to collections.

Can I close the account if I have a pending direct deposit scheduled?

You can request closure, but the bank may delay processing it if a deposit is pending. It is safer to wait until the deposit posts and you have transferred the money out, or to redirect the deposit to another account first. This avoids the deposit being rejected or returned to your employer.

Do I need to close my checking account too?

No. Your savings and checking accounts are separate. You can close one without closing the other. If you want to keep your checking account open, you can do that while closing only the savings account.

What if the bank will not let me close the account?

The most common reason is a non-zero balance or a hold on the account. Confirm the balance is truly zero and any holds have been lifted. If the bank still refuses, ask to speak with a manager and ask why the account cannot be closed. Document the date and the representative's name.

How long does it take to get written confirmation?

If you close in person, you get a receipt when ready. If you close by phone or mail, the bank mails written confirmation within 10 business days. Check your mail for a letter from Bank of America confirming the closure date and final balance.