You can close a Bank of America savings account in person, by phone, or online, depending on your account type and what you need to do first

Bank of America lets you close a savings account through three routes: visiting a branch in person, calling their customer service line, or using their online banking platform. The method you choose depends on whether you have outstanding holds, pending transactions, or a balance that needs to move somewhere else. Most closures take effect within one to three business days, though the actual timeline depends on how you initiate it and whether there are complications with your account status.

Before you close the account, you need to handle the money in it. If there is a balance, you can transfer it to another account (at Bank of America or elsewhere), withdraw it in cash, or request a check. If the account has a negative balance or outstanding fees, you will need to settle those first. Bank of America will not close an account with unresolved issues, and attempting to close one with a pending dispute or fraud claim can delay or block the closure.

Key Takeaways

  • Transfer or withdraw your balance before closing, because Bank of America will not close an account with money still in it or with a negative balance.
  • Calling 1-800-432-1000 is the fastest route if you have questions about pending transactions or holds on the account.
  • In-branch closure takes the same time as phone or online but lets you handle the balance in cash when ready if you prefer.
  • The account closes within one to three business days after you submit the request, but you should confirm closure in writing or check your account status online afterward.
  • If you have direct deposits or automatic payments set to this account, update those before closing to avoid failed transactions.

Closing your account by phone

Call Bank of America's customer service at 1-800-432-1000. Have your account number and a form of identification ready. The representative will confirm your identity, review your account balance, and ask why you are closing the account—this is routine and does not affect whether they will process the closure.

If your account has a balance, the representative will ask what you want to do with it. You can request a transfer to another Bank of America account, a transfer to an external bank account (which requires routing and account numbers), or a check mailed to your address on file. If you choose a check, it typically arrives within five to seven business days. Once you have decided what to do with the balance, the representative will submit the closure request and give you a confirmation number. Write this down.

The account will close within one to three business days. You will not receive a separate confirmation email or letter unless you request one, so check your online banking a few days later to confirm the account no longer appears in your account list.

Closing your account in person at a branch

Visit any Bank of America branch with a government-issued ID and your debit card or account number. Tell the teller you want to close your savings account. They will pull up your account, show you the current balance, and ask how you want to handle it. You can withdraw cash on the spot, transfer to another account, or request a check.

If you withdraw cash, the teller will count it out and you will walk out with the money that day. If you request a transfer or check, the process is the same as over the phone—the teller submits the request and gives you a confirmation number. The account closes within one to three business days.

In-branch closure is useful if you want to handle the balance when ready or if you have questions about your account that are easier to discuss face-to-face. It also creates a paper trail: the teller will print a receipt showing the closure request and the date.

Closing your account online

Log into your Bank of America online banking account, go to the account details or settings section for your savings account, and look for a "Close Account" or "Account Services" option. The exact location varies depending on whether you are using the standard website or the mobile app, but it is usually under account settings or in a menu labeled "Manage This Account."

If your account has a balance, you will need to transfer it before the system will let you close the account. Bank of America's online platform will prompt you to move the money to another account (yours or someone else's at Bank of America, or an external account if you have set up external transfers). Once the balance is zero, you can complete the closure request online.

Online closure is the fastest if your account is already at zero balance and you have no pending issues. However, if something is wrong with your account—a hold, a dispute, or a negative balance—the online system may not let you proceed, and you will need to call or visit a branch instead.

What to do with your money before closing

You cannot close an account with a balance still in it. Decide where the money goes: to another Bank of America account you own, to an account at a different bank, or into your pocket as cash or a check.

If you are transferring to another Bank of America account, the transfer is usually when ready or takes one business day. If you are transferring to an external account, you will need the receiving bank's routing number and your account number at that bank. External transfers typically take one to three business days, so plan accordingly if you are closing the account soon after initiating the transfer.

If you are withdrawing cash, you can do this at any Bank of America ATM (up to your daily withdrawal limit) or at a branch. If you are requesting a check, it will be mailed to the address on file and typically arrives within five to seven business days. Do not close the account until the check has arrived and cleared, because you will not be able to dispute it if something goes wrong after the account is closed.

Handling direct deposits and automatic payments

Before you close the account, check whether any direct deposits or automatic payments are set to this savings account. Direct deposits from your employer, government benefits, or other sources will fail if the account no longer exists. Automatic bill payments, subscription renewals, or transfers will also fail.

Log into your employer's payroll system or the website of whoever sends you direct deposits and update the account information. Do the same for any automatic payments: log into each service (utilities, insurance, subscriptions) and change the payment method or account number. This takes a few minutes per service but prevents failed transactions and late fees.

If you miss updating something and a transaction fails after the account closes, contact the service that tried to process the payment. They can usually resubmit it to your new account once you provide the updated information. However, this can take several days, so it is better to update everything before closing.

What happens if your account has a negative balance or outstanding fees

If your account is overdrawn or has unpaid fees, Bank of America will not close it until the balance is settled. You will need to deposit money to bring the account to zero or positive before you can proceed with closure.

If you are unsure whether your account has outstanding issues, call 1-800-432-1000 and ask a representative to review your account status. They can tell you the exact balance, any pending fees, and what you need to do to clear it. Once you have settled the balance, you can close the account through any of the three methods.

Confirming your account is closed

After you submit a closure request, check your account status a few days later. Log into your online banking and see whether the savings account still appears in your account list. If it is gone, the closure is complete. If it still appears, the closure may still be processing, or there may be a problem.

If the account is still there after five business days, call 1-800-432-1000 and ask for a status update using your confirmation number from the closure request. A representative can tell you whether the closure is still in progress or whether something is blocking it. Keep your confirmation number and any documentation (receipts, emails) until you are certain the account is closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my savings account if I have a pending direct deposit?

You can submit a closure request, but the account will not fully close until the pending deposit clears or is cancelled. Contact your employer or the organization sending the deposit and update the account information before closing. If a deposit arrives after the account closes, Bank of America will return it to the sender, and you will need to resubmit it to your new account.

What if I have a negative balance on my savings account?

You must deposit money to bring the balance to zero before Bank of America will close the account. Call 1-800-432-1000 to find out the exact amount owed, including any fees. Once you have settled it, you can proceed with closure through any method.

How long does it take for a check to arrive after I request one during closure?

Bank of America typically mails checks within five to seven business days. Do not close the account until the check has arrived and you have deposited it elsewhere, because you cannot dispute the check or make changes after the account is closed.

Can I close my savings account online if it has a balance?

No. The online system requires you to transfer or withdraw the balance first. Once the account reaches zero, you can complete the closure request online. If the system will not let you proceed, call 1-800-432-1000 for help.

What if I close my account and then need to access old statements?

Bank of America keeps closed account records for a set period. You can request statements by calling 1-800-432-1000 or visiting a branch with identification. However, it is easier to read or print statements before closing the account.