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

Bank of America does not charge a fee to close a savings account. Before you close it, you'll need to withdraw or transfer out all the money — the bank won't close an account that still holds funds. If you have a small balance you can't easily move, the bank can issue you a check, but this takes longer than a transfer. Once the account is empty, you can request closure through any of three methods: visiting a branch in person, calling customer service, or mailing a written request.

The process itself is straightforward, but the timing depends on which method you choose and whether you have other accounts or services linked to the one you're closing. If your savings account is connected to overdraft protection on a checking account, for example, you'll want to handle that before you close it.

Key Takeaways

  • You must withdraw or transfer all money out of the account before Bank of America will close it.
  • Closing in person at a branch is the fastest method and gives you when ready confirmation.
  • If you call or mail your request, keep a record of the confirmation number or your letter for your records.
  • Check whether your savings account is linked to overdraft protection or other services before closing it.
  • The account will be fully closed within a few business days after your request is processed.

Closing your account in person at a branch

Walking into a Bank of America branch with an empty account is the fastest and clearest way to close it. Bring your ID and your savings account number (you can find this on your debit card, a recent statement, or in the mobile app). Tell the teller you want to close the account. They will confirm the balance is zero, process the closure, and give you a written confirmation on the spot.

This method works best if you have a branch near you and can go during business hours. You'll leave with proof that the account is closed, which is useful if you ever need to show that you don't have an outstanding balance or if there's a question later about the account status.

Closing your account by phone

Call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000. Have your account number and ID ready. Tell the representative you want to close your savings account. They will verify that the balance is zero and process the request. Ask for a confirmation number and write it down — this is your record that you made the request.

The account will close within a few business days. If you don't receive written confirmation in the mail within a week, call back with your confirmation number and ask them to verify the closure. Phone closure is convenient if you can't reach a branch, but it does mean you're relying on the bank's mail system to send you proof.

Closing your account by mail

Write a letter to Bank of America requesting closure of your savings account. Include your full name, the account number, your signature, and a statement that the account balance is zero. Mail it to the address on your most recent statement — this is usually a regional processing center, not a local branch.

Keep a copy of your letter for your records. Closure by mail takes longer — typically two to three weeks — because the bank has to receive your letter, process it, and send you confirmation. This method is least common because it's slower and harder to track, but it works if you prefer written documentation or don't have phone or branch access.

What to do with your money before closing

Before you request closure, move all your money out. The simplest way is to transfer it to another account you own at Bank of America or elsewhere. If you have a Bank of America checking account, you can transfer between your own accounts when ready through the mobile app or online banking. If you're moving money to a different bank, use an external transfer — this usually takes one to three business days.

If you have a very small balance (a few dollars) that you don't want to bother transferring, you can ask the teller or representative to issue you a check instead. The bank will mail it to you, which adds a week or two to the process. Some people also choose to leave a small balance and let the bank close the account with a final check, but this is slower and less certain than transferring the money yourself.

Linked services and overdraft protection

Before you close your savings account, check whether it's connected to anything else. If you have overdraft protection set up on a checking account that pulls from this savings account, closing the savings account will disable that protection. This means if you overdraw your checking account later, the bank won't automatically transfer money from savings to cover it.

If you want to keep overdraft protection, you'll need to link it to a different savings account or turn it off entirely before closing. You can manage this in your online banking or by calling customer service. Similarly, if you have automatic transfers set up (like a monthly savings deposit), cancel those before you close the account so the transfer doesn't fail.

After your account is closed

Once the account is closed, you won't be able to use it. Any checks or transfers you try to make to it will be rejected. If you set up automatic payments or deposits to this account, they will fail — so update those with a new account number before closure if you're keeping other accounts open.

Bank of America will keep a record of the closed account for your file. If you ever need to reference old transactions or statements, you can still request them from the bank even after closure. The account number itself becomes inactive and cannot be reused.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my account still has money in it?

Bank of America will not close an account with a balance. You must transfer or withdraw all funds first. If you're having trouble accessing the account or moving the money, call customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and explain the situation — they can help you move the funds or issue a check.

Will closing my savings account affect my credit score?

No. Closing a savings account does not show up on your credit report and will not change your credit score. Credit reports track credit accounts (credit cards, loans, lines of credit), not deposit accounts like savings or checking.

Can I reopen the account after I close it?

You can open a new savings account with Bank of America at any time, but you cannot reopen the exact same closed account. The old account number becomes inactive. Opening a new account is straightforward and can be done online, by phone, or in a branch.

How long does it take for the account to fully close?

If you close in person at a branch, it's when ready. By phone, closure takes a few business days. By mail, it takes two to three weeks. In all cases, you should see the account disappear from your online banking within that timeframe.

Do I need to close my account in the same branch where I opened it?

No. You can close your account at any Bank of America branch, by phone, or by mail. The branch location doesn't matter — all Bank of America branches can access your account and process the closure.