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 an outstanding balance

Bank of America lets you close a savings account through three routes: calling their customer service line, visiting a branch in person, or using their online banking platform. The fastest method is usually a phone call, which takes about 10 minutes. In-person closure at a branch gives you a receipt on the spot. Online closure works only if your account has a zero balance and no pending transactions — if you have money in the account, you must transfer or withdraw it first.

Before you close the account, move any remaining funds to another account (yours or someone else's) or request a check. Bank of America will not hold your money; they need the account empty before they can process the closure. If you have automatic payments or direct deposits linked to this account, update those with your new account information first, or they will fail.

Key Takeaways

  • Phone closure is the fastest route: call 1-800-432-1000 and have your account number and ID ready.
  • Your savings account must have a zero balance before Bank of America will close it; transfer or withdraw any remaining funds first.
  • Closing the account does not affect your other Bank of America accounts — only the savings account you specify will be closed.
  • Ask for written confirmation of the closure, either by email or in the mail, so you have a record.

Closing by phone

Call Bank of America's main customer service line at 1-800-432-1000. Have your account number, Social Security number, and a government-issued ID available. Tell the representative you want to close your savings account and provide the account number. They will verify your identity by asking security questions based on your account history.

The representative will confirm your account balance. If there is money in the account, they will ask how you want to handle it: transfer to another account (yours or someone else's), receive a check in the mail, or have it sent to another bank via ACH transfer. Once the balance is zero, they will process the closure. The call usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. Ask them to email or mail you a confirmation letter with the closure date.

Closing in person at a branch

Walk into any Bank of America branch with your ID and ask to close your savings account. Bring your account number if you have it, though the teller can look it up with your ID. The teller will check your balance and ask what you want to do with any remaining funds. You can withdraw cash on the spot, transfer to another account, or request a check.

Once your balance is zero, the teller will close the account and give you a receipt showing the closure date. This receipt is your proof of closure. Keep it for your records. The whole process takes about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how busy the branch is.

Closing online through Bank of America's website

Log into your Bank of America online banking account and navigate to the account settings or account management section. Look for an option labeled "Close Account" or "Account Services." This option appears only if your savings account has a zero balance and no pending transactions. If you see the option, click it and follow the prompts to confirm closure.

If you do not see a "Close Account" option, your account either has a balance or has pending activity. Transfer or withdraw the remaining balance first, wait for any pending transactions to clear (usually one to two business days), then try again. Online closure is when ready — the account closes when ready after you confirm, and you will see it removed from your account list.

What happens to linked services and automatic payments

Closing your savings account does not close your checking account or any other Bank of America accounts you have. Only the savings account you specify will be closed. However, if you have set up automatic payments, direct deposits, or transfers from this savings account, those will stop working once the account closes.

Before you close the account, log into your online banking and check for any recurring transfers or payments tied to it. Update those to pull from a different account. If you miss this step and a payment tries to go through after closure, it will be rejected, and you may face late fees from the payee. Direct deposits will bounce back to the sender, so notify your employer or benefit provider of your new account number.

Timing and what to expect after closure

The account closes when ready if you close it online or in person. If you close by phone, the closure is processed the same day, though it may take until the next business day to appear as closed in the system. Bank of America will send you a final statement showing the closure date, usually within 5 to 10 business days.

If you had a debit card linked only to this savings account, that card will stop working. If the card was linked to your checking account as well, it will continue to work. You will not owe any money for closing the account — there is no early closure fee on Bank of America savings accounts. If the account had a negative balance (overdraft), you must pay that before closure.

If you have trouble closing the account

If you cannot close the account online and the phone representative says they cannot close it either, the most common reason is an outstanding balance or pending transaction. Ask the representative specifically what is blocking closure. Sometimes a hold placed by Bank of America for fraud prevention or a pending check deposit can prevent closure even if your balance shows as zero.

If the issue is a hold, ask how long it will remain and when you can try again. If it is a pending transaction, wait for it to clear and try again the next business day. If you still cannot close it after that, visit a branch in person — branch staff can sometimes override system blocks that phone representatives cannot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will closing my savings account hurt my credit score?

No. Closing a savings account does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. Savings accounts are not part of your credit history. Only credit accounts like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit show up on your credit report.

Can I reopen the account after I close it?

Yes, but Bank of America treats it as a new account. You will need to go through the full account opening process again, including providing ID and Social Security number. There is no waiting period — you can reopen when ready after closure if you change your mind.

What if I have a negative balance when I try to close?

You must pay the negative balance (the overdraft amount) before Bank of America will close the account. You can do this by transferring funds from another account, depositing cash at a branch, or having the representative deduct it from another account you own.

Do I need to close the account in person, or can I do it remotely?

You can close by phone or online; in-person is not required. Phone is fastest if your account has a balance, because the representative can help you move the money. Online works only if the balance is already zero.

How long does it take for the account to fully disappear from my online banking?

Closed accounts usually disappear from your active account list within 24 hours. You can still see it in your account history for several months if you need to reference old statements or transactions.