You can close a Bank of America savings account in person, by phone, or online, but the method depends on your account type and whether you have a balance
The fastest way to close a Bank of America savings account is to visit a branch in person with your ID. A banker can close it on the spot, transfer any remaining balance to another account or issue a check, and answer questions about what happens to pending transactions. If you cannot reach a branch, you can call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and a representative can walk you through closing over the phone. Online closure is available for some account types through your Bank of America login, though the option does not appear for all savings accounts.
Before you close, make sure any automatic deposits or bill payments linked to the account are moved to another bank account. Bank of America will not automatically redirect them, and missed payments can damage your credit or result in overdraft fees at the receiving bank. You should also wait for any pending transactions to clear — checks you have written, transfers you have started, or deposits that have not yet posted. Closing an account with pending activity can cause confusion about whether those transactions go through.
Key Takeaways
- Visiting a Bank of America branch with your ID is the quickest way to close a savings account, and the banker can handle the balance on the same day.
- You must move any automatic deposits or bill payments to another account before closing, because Bank of America will not forward them.
- Wait for pending transactions — checks, transfers, and deposits — to clear before you close, or you may not know whether they went through.
- If you close an account and later realize you need a record of old transactions, you can request a statement from Bank of America even after the account is closed.
Closing in person at a Bank of America branch
Walk into any Bank of America branch with a valid photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Tell a banker you want to close your savings account. They will pull up your account, confirm the balance, and ask how you want the money handled. You can transfer it to another Bank of America account you own, transfer it to an account at a different bank, or receive a check in the mail.
The banker will also ask whether you have any pending transactions or automatic payments tied to the account. Be honest about this even if you think they have already cleared — the banker can see what is still in process. Once you confirm, they will close the account. You will receive a receipt showing the account is closed and what happened to your balance. If you chose a check, it typically arrives within five to seven business days.
Closing by phone with Bank of America customer service
Call 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your savings account. Have your account number ready, though they can also look it up using your Social Security number and date of birth. The representative will confirm your identity, review your balance, and ask the same questions a banker would: how you want your money handled and whether you have pending activity.
Phone closure takes about 10 to 15 minutes. The representative will send you a confirmation email or mail a letter showing the account is closed. If you chose a check, request that it be mailed to the address on file and confirm the address before you hang up. If you chose a transfer to another account, provide the routing number and account number clearly and ask the representative to read it back to you to catch any mistakes.
Closing online through your Bank of America account
Log into your Bank of America online banking or mobile app and look for account settings or account management. Some savings accounts have a "Close Account" option in the account details menu. Click it and follow the prompts, which will ask you to confirm your balance and choose what to do with the money.
Not all Bank of America savings accounts offer online closure — if you do not see the option, you will need to use the phone or visit a branch. Online closure is fastest if it is available for your account, because you do not have to wait for a banker or representative. However, you will not receive when ready confirmation, so follow up with a phone call or branch visit within a few days if you do not receive an email confirmation within 24 hours.
What to do with your balance before closing
You have three main choices for what happens to the money in your account. The first is to transfer it to another Bank of America account you own — this is when ready and the safest option if you are keeping money at Bank of America. The second is to transfer it to an account at a different bank; you will need to provide the routing number and account number, and the transfer usually takes one to three business days. The third is to receive a check, which takes five to seven business days to arrive.
If your balance is very small — under $25 — ask the banker or representative whether Bank of America charges a fee to issue a check. Some branches waive the fee for small amounts, but it is worth asking. If you have less than $1, Bank of America may donate it to charity or keep it, depending on the account terms, so ask what will happen.
Moving automatic payments and deposits before you close
Before you close, log into any service that sends money to your Bank of America savings account — your employer's payroll system, Social Security, a government benefit program, or a regular transfer from another account. Change the deposit destination to your new bank account. This usually takes one to two business days to take effect, so make the change at least a week before you close the account.
Do the same for any automatic payments that pull money from the account — automatic bill payments, subscription services, or transfers you have set up. Log into each service and update the account information. If you are not sure which services are linked to the account, ask the banker or representative to review your recent transactions with you. They can show you what has been pulling money out and help you identify what needs to be moved.
What happens to pending transactions when you close
A pending transaction is money that is in process but has not yet cleared — a check you wrote that the recipient has not deposited yet, a transfer you started that has not finished, or a deposit that has been sent but not yet posted. If you close your account while transactions are pending, the account will still process them even though it is closed. This can take days or weeks depending on the transaction type.
The safest approach is to wait until all pending activity has cleared before you close. Check your recent transactions in your Bank of America app or online banking and look for anything marked "pending." If you see pending items, wait a few more days and check again. Once everything shows as completed, you can close with confidence that no surprise charges or deposits will appear afterward.
Getting records after your account is closed
Bank of America keeps records of closed accounts. If you need a statement or transaction history after you close, you can request it by calling 1-800-432-1000 or visiting a branch. You will need to provide your account number and the date range you want. Bank of America can usually provide statements for closed accounts for up to seven years, though the exact timeframe depends on the account type.
Request statements before you close if you think you might need them for taxes, a dispute, or a loan process. Getting them after closure takes longer because the account is no longer active in the system. If you are closing because of a problem with the account or a dispute, ask the banker or representative whether you should request a final statement before closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen a Bank of America savings account after I close it?
Yes. You can open a new savings account at any time by visiting a branch, calling 1-800-432-1000, or using the Bank of America website. There is no waiting period. However, if you closed the account because of a problem — overdraft fees, a dispute, or poor service — opening a new one will not change those issues unless you address the underlying cause.
What if I have a check pending when I close my account?
The check will still clear even after you close the account. Bank of America will process it and the money will leave your account. This is why it is important to wait for pending checks to clear before closing, or to make sure your balance covers any checks that are still out there. If a check clears after the account is closed and there is not enough money, you may face overdraft fees.
Do I lose my transaction history if I close the account?
No. Bank of America keeps records of closed accounts for years. You can request statements and transaction history by calling customer service or visiting a branch. However, you will not be able to see the history in your online banking anymore once the account is closed, so read or print anything you need before closing.
Will closing a savings account hurt my credit?
Closing a savings account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit accounts like credit cards and loans, not on deposit accounts. However, if you close the account because of unpaid overdraft fees or a dispute, that dispute could show up on your banking history, which some banks check when you explore for a new account.
How long does it take to close a Bank of America savings account?
In person, it takes about 10 minutes. By phone, it takes 10 to 15 minutes. Online, it is when ready, but you may not receive confirmation for 24 hours. The time to receive your balance as a check or transfer depends on the method you choose — transfers take one to three business days, and checks take five to seven business days.