The fastest way to close your account
You can close a Bank of America savings account by visiting a branch in person, calling customer service, or using online banking. The in-person route is fastest if you have a local branch — bring your ID and any debit card tied to the account, and a banker can process the closure while you wait. If you prefer phone or online, expect the process to take a few business days.
Before you close, withdraw or transfer any remaining balance. Bank of America will not hold your money, but having a zero balance makes the closure cleaner and faster. If there are pending transactions or holds on the account, those must clear first — the bank will not close an account with unresolved activity.
Key Takeaways
- You can close your account at a branch, by phone at 1-800-432-1000, or through online banking without visiting a location.
- Withdraw or transfer your full balance before closing, since the bank will not process a closure with money still in the account.
- Bring your ID and any debit card to a branch, or have your account number ready if you call or use online banking.
- The account will be marked closed within one business day at a branch, but may take three to five business days if you close by phone or online.
- Ask the banker or representative whether any pending transactions or automatic payments are still tied to the account before you finalize the closure.
Closing at a Bank of America branch
Walk into any Bank of America branch with your ID and ask to close your savings account. Bring your debit card if you have one. The banker will pull up your account, confirm the balance is zero or help you transfer the remaining funds, and then process the closure. This takes about ten minutes.
If you have automatic payments or transfers set to that account, tell the banker before you close it. They can check whether anything is still scheduled and help you redirect those payments to another account if needed. This step prevents a payment from bouncing after the account is closed.
Closing by phone
Call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and say you want to close your savings account. Have your account number ready, or be prepared to verify your identity with your Social Security number and date of birth. The representative will confirm your balance, process any final transfers, and close the account.
Phone closures usually take three to five business days to finalize. You will receive written confirmation in the mail. Keep that letter in case you need proof the account is closed — some creditors or employers ask for it.
Closing through online banking
Log into your Bank of America online account and look for account settings or account management. Not all accounts can be closed through the website — if you do not see a close account option, you will need to call or visit a branch. If the option appears, follow the prompts to confirm your identity and process the closure.
Online closures can take up to five business days. You will see a confirmation message on screen, and Bank of America will send written confirmation by mail. If you do not receive a letter within a week, call customer service to confirm the closure went through.
What happens to your debit card
If you have a debit card tied to the savings account you are closing, that card will stop working once the account is closed. If you have a checking account with Bank of America, your debit card will still work for that account — the bank does not automatically cancel it. If the card is linked only to the savings account, it will be deactivated.
You do not need to do anything with the card. It will straightforward stop functioning. If you want to physically destroy it, you can cut it up, but it is not required.
Handling automatic payments and transfers
Before you close the account, check whether any automatic payments, bill pay, or transfers are still set to that savings account. Log into online banking and look at your recent transactions and scheduled payments. If you see anything recurring, you need to either cancel it or move it to another account first.
If a payment tries to go through after the account is closed, it will be rejected and may trigger a late fee with the company you owe money to. The bank will not redirect the payment automatically. Call the company or log into their website to change the payment method before you close the account.
After your account is closed
Once closed, you cannot reopen the same account. If you want a savings account again, you will need to open a new one. Bank of America will keep a record of the closed account in your file, but you will not be able to access it or use it for any transactions.
If you closed the account because of a problem — a fee you disagreed with, poor service, or a dispute — you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB investigates complaints about banks and can sometimes recover money or reverse fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my account if I still have a negative balance?
No. You must pay the negative balance before the bank will close the account. If you owe money due to overdraft fees or other charges, deposit funds to bring the balance to zero, then request the closure.
What if I have a pending direct deposit or check that has not cleared yet?
Wait for pending transactions to clear before closing. If you close with pending activity, the bank may hold the funds or return them to the sender. Check your recent transactions online to see what is still in progress, then close once everything has settled.
Do I need to close the account in person, or can I do it all by phone?
You can close by phone or online without visiting a branch. In-person closure is faster, but phone and online both work. Choose whichever is most convenient for you.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
No. Closing a savings account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on borrowing and repayment history, not on deposit accounts. You can close without worry about credit impact.
How long does it take to get my money back if I transfer it before closing?
If you transfer to another Bank of America account, the money moves the same day. If you transfer to a different bank, it usually takes one to three business days depending on the receiving bank. Withdraw cash at the branch if you need the money when ready.