You can close a Bank of America savings account by phone, in person, or online, but the method depends on your account type and whether you have a zero balance
Bank of America lets you close a savings account through three channels: calling their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000, visiting a branch in person, or using their online banking platform if your account is may be able to access. Before you close, you need a zero balance — the bank will not close an account with money in it. If you have pending transactions or automatic deposits set to hit the account, those need to stop first.
The whole process typically takes a few minutes by phone or in person, though it can take several business days for the closure to fully process on their end. You will receive a confirmation number at the time of closure and a final statement by mail within a week or two. Keep both of these in case you need to prove the account was closed.
Key Takeaways
- Your savings account must have a zero balance before Bank of America will close it; transfer or withdraw any remaining funds first.
- Phone closure (1-800-432-1000) is usually the fastest route and requires only your account number and identity verification.
- In-person closure at a branch lets you hand over any debit cards or checkbooks and confirm the closure face-to-face.
- Online closure through the mobile app or website is available for some account types but not all; check your account settings to see if the option appears.
- After closure, keep your final statement and confirmation number in case you need to dispute a charge or verify the account was closed.
Closing by phone is usually the fastest method
Call Bank of America's main customer service line at 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your savings account. Have your account number ready, along with a form of ID to verify your identity — they will ask for your Social Security number or other identifying information. The representative will confirm your balance is zero, ask why you are closing (this is optional to answer), and process the closure on the spot.
The account will be marked as closed in their system when ready, but it can take three to five business days for the closure to fully settle. You will receive a final statement in the mail showing the account as closed. Keep this statement and ask the representative for a confirmation number before you hang up — write it down. If you ever need to prove the account was closed or dispute a charge that hits it after closure, that confirmation number is your proof.
Closing in person at a branch
Walk into any Bank of America branch with your ID and ask to close your savings account. Bring any debit cards or checkbooks tied to that account so you can hand them over and have them destroyed on the spot. The branch employee will verify your balance is zero, process the closure, and give you a receipt with a confirmation number.
In-person closure is useful if you have cards or checks you want to physically surrender, or if you prefer to see the closure happen. It takes about five to ten minutes. Like phone closure, the account will be marked closed when ready but can take a few business days to fully settle in their system. Ask for a written confirmation before you leave the branch.
Closing through the mobile app or online banking
Open the Bank of America mobile app or log into their website, navigate to your savings account, and look for a "Close Account" or "Account Settings" option. Not all account types allow online closure — if you do not see the option, the account is not may be able to access and you will need to use phone or in-person closure instead.
If the option is available, select it and follow the prompts. The system will confirm your balance is zero and ask you to verify the closure. You will receive an on-screen confirmation number — screenshot it or write it down. The closure will process within a few business days, and you will receive a final statement by mail.
What to do before you close: transfer money and stop automatic payments
Before you call or visit, move any money out of the savings account. You can transfer funds to another Bank of America account, another bank, or withdraw cash at an ATM or branch. Bank of America will not close an account with a balance, so this step is not optional.
Check whether you have any automatic deposits or transfers set to hit this account. If you receive direct deposits, paychecks, or regular transfers into this savings account, you need to change those to a different account or cancel them before closure. If an automatic payment tries to post after the account is closed, it will be rejected and may trigger overdraft fees or late payment notices on the other end. Log into your online banking, check the "Transfers" or "Scheduled Transactions" section, and update or cancel anything tied to this account.
What happens after the account is closed
Once closed, the account cannot receive deposits or withdrawals. If someone tries to send money to it, the transfer will bounce back to the sender. If a company tries to charge it, the charge will be rejected. The account will appear on your Bank of America profile as closed, but the history remains — you can still view old statements and transactions for a period of time through your online banking.
Bank of America keeps records of closed accounts for their internal purposes. If you ever need to dispute a transaction that posted before closure, or if you need proof the account was closed on a specific date, contact their customer service with your confirmation number and they can pull the closure record.
Reasons the closure might be delayed or rejected
The most common reason closure does not go through is a non-zero balance. If you think your balance is zero but the system says it is not, there may be a pending transaction, a fee, or a hold you did not see. Ask the representative to itemize what is in the account. Sometimes a small fee posts right before closure and you have to pay it before the account can close.
If the account has been inactive for a long time, Bank of America may have flagged it for review before allowing closure. This is rare but can add a few extra days. If you encounter this, ask the representative what information they need and whether you can provide it over the phone or in person to speed things up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my savings account if I have a pending direct deposit coming in?
No. You need to redirect that direct deposit to a different account first. Contact your employer or the organization sending the deposit and update your banking information. Once the deposit is rerouted and no more payments are scheduled to hit the savings account, you can close it.
What if I lost my debit card for this account?
You can still close the account. You do not need to have the physical card to close it. If you are closing in person, just let the branch know the card is lost. If you are closing by phone, mention it to the representative and they will note it in the account. The card will be deactivated when the account closes.
How long does it take for the account to fully close after I request it?
The account is marked as closed when ready when you request closure, but it can take three to five business days for the closure to fully settle in Bank of America's system. You will receive a final statement by mail confirming the closure. If you need proof it is closed before the statement arrives, use the confirmation number the representative gave you.
Will closing my savings account hurt my credit score?
No. Closing a savings account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit history — loans, credit cards, and payment history. Savings accounts are not reported to credit bureaus, so opening or closing one has no impact on your credit.
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. If you think you might need the account again soon, consider leaving it open instead of closing it. If you do close it and later want to return, you will need to open a fresh account.