You can close a Bank of America savings account by phone, in person at a branch, or online through your account settings — the method depends on whether you want to keep your other accounts open.
Bank of America lets you close a savings account without closing your checking account or other products. The process itself takes minutes, but you need to handle your balance first: withdraw the money, transfer it elsewhere, or ask the bank to send you a check. Once the account hits zero, you can request closure. The bank does not charge a fee to close.
The fastest route is usually a phone call to customer service, because they can confirm your balance, answer questions about what happens to pending transactions, and process the closure in one conversation. In-person closure at a branch works if you prefer to hand over a withdrawal or see the process happen. Online closure through your account settings is possible but only if your balance is already zero and you have no pending activity.
Key Takeaways
- You must bring your savings account balance to zero before closing — either by withdrawing cash, transferring funds, or requesting a check from the bank.
- Phone closure through Bank of America customer service (1-800-432-1000) is the most straightforward method and takes about 10 minutes.
- The bank will not close an account with a balance, pending transactions, or uncleared deposits, so confirm all activity has settled before you call.
- After closure, you can still access your account history and statements through your online banking profile for a limited time.
Closing by phone with customer service
Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your savings account. They will ask you to verify your identity using your account number, Social Security number, or answers to security questions. Have your account number ready — it appears on your debit card, statements, or in your online banking dashboard.
The representative will confirm your current balance and ask what you want to do with any remaining money. If the balance is not zero, you have three options: they can transfer it to another Bank of America account you own, mail you a check, or you can tell them you will withdraw it yourself before calling back. Most people choose the transfer option because it is when ready and requires no additional steps.
Once your balance is zero and any pending transactions have cleared, the representative will process the closure. They will give you a confirmation number and tell you the account will be closed within one to three business days. Write down the confirmation number — you may need it if you have questions later or if a transaction posts after closure.
Closing in person at a Bank of America branch
Walk into any Bank of America branch with your ID and ask to close your savings account. A teller or banker can handle this while you wait. Bring your debit card or have your account number available so they can pull up your account quickly.
If your balance is not zero, the teller will offer the same options as phone closure: transfer to another account, receive a check, or withdraw the money yourself. If you choose to withdraw, the teller can give you cash on the spot if your balance is under the daily withdrawal limit (which varies by account type and history). If your balance is larger, you may need to request a cashier's check or arrange a transfer instead.
In-person closure is useful if you have questions the representative can answer face-to-face, or if you want to close the account and withdraw your money in the same visit. The branch will process closure the same day, though it may take one to three business days to appear in the system.
Closing through online banking
Log into your Bank of America online account, go to your savings account details, and look for a "Close Account" or "Account Services" option. Not all accounts show this option online — it typically only appears if your balance is zero and there are no pending transactions or recent activity.
If you see the option, click it and follow the prompts to confirm closure. The bank will ask you to verify that you understand the account will be closed and that you have moved any funds. Once you confirm, the closure request is submitted and usually processes within one to three business days.
If you do not see a close account option online, your balance is not zero or there is pending activity. In that case, use phone or in-person closure instead — those methods work regardless of your account status.
What happens to your balance and pending transactions
Before the bank will close your account, your balance must be exactly zero. If you have money in the account, it does not disappear — you control what happens to it. The most common approach is to transfer the balance to a checking account or another savings account you own at Bank of America. This transfer is when ready and costs nothing.
If you want the money outside Bank of America entirely, you can withdraw it as cash at a teller, request a cashier's check, or transfer it to an external bank account. External transfers typically take one to three business days to complete, so plan accordingly if you are closing soon.
Pending transactions — deposits that have not yet cleared, or checks you wrote that have not been cashed — can delay closure. Ask the representative how long pending items usually take to clear. Once everything settles, call back or return to the branch to complete the closure.
What happens after your account closes
Once closed, you cannot use the account to deposit money, withdraw funds, or receive direct deposits. Any automatic payments or transfers linked to that account will fail. If you have recurring transfers set up, cancel them before closure or update them to point to a different account.
You can still view your account history and past statements through your online banking profile for a period of time after closure — usually several months to a year, depending on Bank of America's retention policy. If you need statements after that window, contact the bank and request copies; they can usually provide them for a fee or sometimes at no charge.
If a transaction posts to the account after it closes — for example, a check that was deposited weeks ago finally clears — the bank will handle it according to its procedures. Contact customer service if this happens and they will direct the funds to you or to another account you specify.
Reasons the bank might not close your account
Bank of America will not close an account if your balance is not zero, if there are pending deposits or withdrawals, or if there is recent unusual activity that needs investigation. They also will not close an account if it is linked to an active loan, credit line, or investment product.
If the bank refuses closure, ask the representative why. Common reasons include: a check that has not cleared, a pending ACH transfer, a hold on the account, or fraud investigation. Once the issue is resolved — the check clears, the transfer completes, the hold is lifted — you can request closure again.
If you have a savings account tied to a mortgage or home equity line of credit, closing it may affect those products. Call customer service to confirm before you proceed, because some accounts are linked in ways that are not obvious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my savings account if I still have a checking account with Bank of America?
Yes. Closing one account does not affect your other accounts. You can close your savings account and keep your checking account, credit card, or any other products open. The bank treats each account separately.
What if I have a pending direct deposit that has not hit yet?
Wait for the deposit to clear before closing. If you close the account before it arrives, the deposit may be rejected or delayed. Once the deposit clears, bring your balance back to zero and then request closure.
Do I lose my transaction history after I close the account?
No. You can view your statements and transaction history through your online banking profile for several months to a year after closure. If you need older statements, contact Bank of America and they can provide copies, sometimes for a fee.
How long does it take for the account to actually close after I request it?
One to three business days is typical. The representative will give you a confirmation number when you request closure. If the account does not close within that window, call back with your confirmation number and ask for an update.
What if I change my mind after I close the account?
Contact Bank of America when ready. If the account has just closed, they may be able to reopen it. The longer you wait, the less likely they can reverse the closure. Call customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and explain the situation.