You can close a Bank of America savings account by visiting a branch, calling customer service, or using online banking — the method depends on whether you want to withdraw your money first or let the bank handle it
Closing a savings account at Bank of America takes about 10 to 15 minutes if you do it in person, or a few minutes on the phone. The bank will ask what you want to do with any money in the account — you can withdraw it in cash, transfer it to another account, or ask the bank to mail you a check. Once the account is closed, you cannot use it anymore, and Bank of America will stop charging any monthly maintenance fees.
The fastest way is usually to walk into your local Bank of America branch with your ID and ask to close the account. If you cannot visit a branch, you can call 1-800-432-1000 and speak to a representative who can close it over the phone. Online closure is not available for savings accounts, but you can start the process through your online banking login and then finish it with a phone call or branch visit.
Key Takeaways
- You can close your savings account in person at any Bank of America branch, by phone at 1-800-432-1000, or by starting the process online and completing it with a call.
- Have your account number and ID ready, and decide in advance whether you want to withdraw cash, transfer funds to another account, or receive a mailed check.
- Any remaining balance in the account must be removed or transferred before the account closes — the bank will not keep money in a closed account.
- If you have pending transactions or automatic payments linked to the account, cancel or redirect them before closing to avoid overdraft fees or failed payments.
- After closure, you will no longer be charged monthly maintenance fees, but you also lose access to the account and cannot reopen the exact same account number.
What to do before you close the account
Before you contact Bank of America, check whether you have any automatic payments or transfers set up on the savings account. Common examples are automatic transfers to pay a credit card, direct deposits from your employer, or recurring bill payments. If you close the account while these are still active, the payments may fail and you could face overdraft fees or late payment penalties on other accounts.
Log into your Bank of America online banking or call 1-800-432-1000 to review what is linked to the account. If you find automatic payments, cancel them or redirect them to a different account before you close. You should also check your account balance and decide how you want to handle the money — whether you will withdraw it in cash at the branch, transfer it to another Bank of America account, or have the bank mail you a check.
Closing the account in person at a branch
Bring your government-issued ID and your Bank of America debit card or account number to any Bank of America branch. Tell a teller you want to close your savings account. They will pull up your account, confirm the balance, and ask what you want to do with the money. If the balance is small, you can take cash. If it is larger, you can request a check or ask to transfer the funds to another account you own at Bank of America or elsewhere.
The teller will have you sign a form confirming the closure and will give you a receipt. The account closes when ready, and you will no longer be able to use the debit card or access the account online. If you have a pending check or automatic payment that has not cleared yet, the bank may ask you to wait a few days before closing, or they will note the pending transaction and close the account after it processes.
Closing the account by phone
Call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your savings account. Have your account number and ID information ready — they will ask for your Social Security number or tax ID to verify your identity. The representative will confirm your account balance and ask how you want to handle the money.
If you choose to receive a check, the bank will mail it to the address on file, which usually takes 5 to 10 business days. If you want to transfer the money to another account, you can provide the routing number and account number, and the representative can process the transfer right away. Once you confirm the closure, the account closes within one business day, and you will receive a confirmation number for your records.
What happens to your money after closure
Bank of America will not hold money in a closed account. Whatever balance remains must go somewhere — either into your hands, into another account, or into a check mailed to you. If you do not specify what to do with the money during the closure process, the bank will typically mail you a check to the address on file within 10 business days.
If you are closing the account because you are moving to a different bank, you can ask the Bank of America representative to transfer the balance directly to your new bank account. You will need to provide your new bank's routing number and your account number there. This transfer usually takes 3 to 5 business days. Keep the confirmation number the bank gives you in case you need to track the transfer.
Reasons the bank might delay or refuse closure
Bank of America can refuse to close an account if there are pending transactions, outstanding fees, or if the account is under investigation for fraud or unusual activity. If the bank suspects fraudulent activity, they may freeze the account temporarily and ask you to verify recent transactions before allowing closure.
If you have a negative balance — meaning you owe the bank money — you must pay that amount before the account can close. If you have a pending check or automatic payment that has not cleared, the bank may ask you to wait until it processes. In most cases, these delays are brief, and you can close the account once the pending items are resolved.
After your account is closed
Once the account closes, you cannot use it anymore, and Bank of America will stop charging any monthly maintenance fees. You will no longer receive statements for that account, and the account number cannot be reused — if you open a new savings account with Bank of America later, you will receive a different account number.
If you had a debit card linked to the savings account, that card will no longer work for withdrawals from that account, though it may still be linked to a checking account if you have one. If you need to dispute a transaction that happened before closure, you can still contact Bank of America with the confirmation number from your closure receipt, and they can look up the transaction in their records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my savings account if I have a negative balance?
No. You must pay any negative balance before the account can close. If you owe the bank money, contact them to arrange payment — you can pay over the phone with a debit card or by transferring funds from another account.
What if I have a pending direct deposit or automatic payment?
Cancel or redirect pending transactions before closing. If you close the account while they are still active, the payments may fail and you could face overdraft fees. Call 1-800-432-1000 to review what is linked to the account and make changes.
How long does it take for my check to arrive after I close the account?
Bank of America typically mails a check within 10 business days of closure. The check is mailed to the address on file in your account. If you do not receive it within two weeks, contact the bank with your closure confirmation number.
Can I reopen the same savings account after I close it?
No. Once an account is closed, that account number cannot be reopened. If you want a savings account with Bank of America again, you will open a new account with a new account number.
Do I have to close the account in person, or can I do it entirely online?
You cannot close a savings account entirely online through Bank of America's website. You must either visit a branch or call 1-800-432-1000. You can start the process online by logging in, but you will need to complete it with a phone call or branch visit.