You can close a Bank of America savings account in person, by phone, or by mail, but you need to empty it first and settle any outstanding fees

Bank of America does not charge a fee to close a savings account. Before you close it, you must withdraw or transfer out all remaining funds — the bank will not close an account with a balance. If your account has overdraft fees or other charges pending, those will be deducted from your balance before closure. Once the account is empty and any fees are paid, 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 do it in person, but the account may not officially close for five to seven business days after you request it. During that window, the account still exists — do not send money to it. If you have automatic deposits or payments tied to this account, change those before you close it, or they will fail.

Key Takeaways

  • You must withdraw or transfer all money out of the account before Bank of America will close it.
  • Any pending fees or charges will be deducted from your balance before the account closes.
  • You can close the account in person at a branch, by phone at 1-800-432-1000, or by sending a written request to your local branch.
  • The account takes five to seven business days to fully close after you request it, so update any automatic deposits or payments beforehand.
  • Once closed, you cannot reopen the same account — you would have to open a new one if you change your mind.

Emptying your account before closure

Bank of America will not process a closure request if the account still holds money. You have two options: withdraw the funds in cash, or transfer them to another account. If you are closing because you are moving to a different bank, transfer is usually faster — you can do this online through Bank of America's website by linking your new account, or you can ask a teller to do it for you in person.

Check your account for any pending transactions or scheduled payments. If you have set up automatic bill payments or direct deposits that hit this account, those will fail once the account closes. Log into your Bank of America online account or mobile app and review the last 30 days of activity to see what is connected to it. Change the account number on any recurring payments before you close — this includes paychecks, insurance payments, subscription services, or loan payments.

If there are outstanding fees (overdraft charges, monthly maintenance fees, or other charges), Bank of America will deduct those from your final balance. You cannot close the account until the balance is zero, so if you have $500 and a $35 fee pending, you need to withdraw or transfer $465.

Closing in person at a branch

Bring your government-issued ID and your savings account number. If you do not know your account number, the teller can look it up using your name and Social Security number. You do not need to bring anything else — the teller will handle the paperwork.

Tell the teller you want to close the savings account. They will confirm the balance is zero, check for any pending fees, and print a closure form for you to sign. The process takes about five minutes. Ask for a written confirmation of the closure — this is useful if you need proof later that the account is closed, especially if you are closing it because of fraud or dispute.

The account will be marked for closure when ready, but it may take five to seven business days for Bank of America's system to fully process it. During this time, the account still technically exists. Do not attempt to use it or send money to it.

Closing by phone

Call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000. Have your account number and a government ID ready. The representative will verify your identity by asking for your Social Security number, date of birth, or other information from your account.

Tell them you want to close your savings account. They will confirm that the balance is zero and check for any pending fees. If there are fees, they will explain what they are and deduct them from your balance. Once everything is settled, they will process the closure request over the phone.

Ask the representative for a confirmation number for the closure request. Write it down — this is your record that you requested closure on a specific date. The account will close within five to seven business days. If you do not receive written confirmation in the mail within two weeks, call back with your confirmation number and ask for status.

Closing by mail

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 a statement that you request the account be closed. Sign and date the letter. Do not send original documents — keep copies for your records.

Mail the letter to your branch address. You can find your branch address on your bank statement or by searching Bank of America's branch locator on their website. Send it via mail that requires a signature or tracking, such as certified mail, so you have proof it arrived.

Closure by mail takes longer than in-person or phone closure — expect two to three weeks from the time the branch receives your letter. If you do not hear back within that time, call the branch directly to confirm they received your request.

What happens after the account closes

Once the account is fully closed, you cannot reopen it. If you change your mind, you would have to open a new savings account, which means a new account number and potentially a new start date for interest calculations. Bank of America will not restore a closed account.

The closure will appear on your banking history. If you close the account in good standing (no fraud, no unpaid fees), this does not affect your credit score or your ability to open accounts elsewhere. If you closed it because of a dispute or fraud, keep your confirmation number and any written correspondence — you may need it if questions arise later.

If you had a debit card linked to this savings account, that card will no longer work for withdrawals from this account. If the card was linked to a checking account as well, it will still work for that account. You do not need to request a new card unless you want one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my account has a negative balance?

You cannot close an account with a negative balance. Deposit enough money to bring it to zero, then request closure. Bank of America will deduct any fees from the deposit you make, so if you owe $50 in overdraft fees, deposit at least $50.

Can I close the account if I have a pending dispute or fraud claim?

Bank of America may not allow closure while a dispute is under investigation. Contact the fraud department or dispute resolution team first to confirm the claim is resolved or closed, then request account closure. If they will not let you close it, ask in writing why and what you need to do to proceed.

Will closing my savings account affect my checking account?

No. Savings and checking accounts are separate. Closing one does not affect the other. If you have both, you can close just the savings account and keep the checking account open.

What if I have automatic deposits set to this account after I close it?

They will fail. The account will no longer exist, so the deposit will be rejected and returned to the sender. Update the account number on any automatic deposits (like your paycheck) before you close the account, or contact your employer or the organization sending the deposit to change it to a different account.

How long does it take to close the account completely?

Five to seven business days from the date you request closure. In-person and phone requests process faster than mail requests. During this window, do not attempt to use the account. Once the closure is complete, Bank of America will send you written confirmation.