You can close a Bank of America savings account by phone, in person, or online, but the method depends on your account type and whether you have an outstanding balance

Bank of America lets you close a savings account through three channels: calling their customer service line, visiting a branch in person, or using their online banking portal. The fastest route is usually a phone call to the number on the back of your debit card or in your account statements — you'll reach someone who can process the closure when ready and answer questions about what happens to any remaining balance. If you prefer to do it in person, bring a valid ID to any Bank of America branch and ask to speak with an account representative. Online closure is available for some account types through the Bank of America website, though not all savings accounts can be closed this way.

Before you close the account, make sure you've withdrawn or transferred any money in it. Bank of America will not close an account with a negative balance (meaning you owe them money), and they may hold funds for a set period if there are pending transactions. If you have automatic transfers or bill payments tied to this savings account, you'll need to update or cancel those first — otherwise they'll fail and could trigger overdraft fees on another account.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the number on your debit card or statement to close your account by phone, which usually takes five to ten minutes and is processed the same day.
  • Withdraw or transfer all money from the account before closing it, because Bank of America will not close an account with a negative balance.
  • Cancel any automatic transfers, bill payments, or direct deposits linked to the savings account, or redirect them to another account first.
  • If you have a linked checking account, closing the savings account does not affect the checking account — they are separate.
  • Ask for written confirmation of the closure, either by email or in the mail, so you have a record that the account is closed.

What to do before you call or visit

Empty the account completely. Log into your Bank of America online banking or mobile app and check the current balance. If there is money in the account, transfer it to another bank account you own or withdraw it in cash at a branch or ATM. Bank of America will not process a closure request if the account has a negative balance — meaning you owe them money — so if you've been charged fees or have pending debits, you'll need to cover that amount first.

Check for any automatic activity tied to the account. Look through your recent transactions and statements to see if any bill payments, transfers, or direct deposits are set to hit this savings account. If your paycheck goes into this account, change your direct deposit to another account at least one pay cycle before you close it. If you have automatic transfers set up — for example, a monthly move from savings to checking — cancel those through your online banking portal or by calling customer service. If you miss this step, the transfer will fail and may trigger an overdraft fee on your checking account.

Gather your ID. You'll need a valid government-issued ID if you're closing the account in person. If you're closing by phone, have your account number and Social Security number ready, though the representative will verify your identity by asking security questions.

Closing by phone

Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your most recent statement. You can also call Bank of America's main customer service line at 1-800-432-1000. Tell the representative you want to close your savings account and have your account number ready. They will ask you to verify your identity by providing your Social Security number and answering security questions about your account history.

The representative will confirm that the account balance is zero and that there are no pending transactions. If everything checks out, they will process the closure when ready. The account will be closed the same day, though it may take one to two business days for the closure to show up in your online banking portal. Ask the representative to email you a confirmation of the closure or note your request for written confirmation to be mailed to you.

Closing in person at a branch

Visit any Bank of America branch with your valid ID and ask to speak with an account representative or a new accounts specialist. Tell them you want to close your savings account. They will pull up your account, confirm the balance is zero, and process the closure on the spot. This usually takes ten to fifteen minutes. Ask for a written confirmation receipt before you leave the branch.

If you don't have a branch nearby or prefer not to visit in person, phone closure is faster and just as official. The in-person route is useful only if you want to withdraw cash at the same time or if you have questions that are easier to ask face-to-face.

Closing through online banking

Log into your Bank of America online banking account and navigate to the account settings or account management section. Not all savings accounts can be closed online — if you don't see a "close account" option, you'll need to call or visit a branch instead. If the option is available, click it and follow the prompts. Bank of America will ask you to confirm that the balance is zero and that you want to proceed. Once you submit the request, the account will be flagged for closure.

Online closure can take one to three business days to process, which is slower than a phone call or in-person visit. You won't receive when ready confirmation, so follow up by calling customer service a few days later to confirm the account is actually closed, or check your online portal to see if the account has been removed from your account list.

What happens after the account closes

The account will no longer appear in your Bank of America online banking portal once the closure is complete. Any debit card or ATM card linked only to that savings account will stop working. If you have a linked checking account, that account is not affected — it remains open and active. Any checks you wrote against the savings account will bounce if they haven't cleared yet, so make sure you've stopped using any checks tied to this account.

Bank of America keeps records of closed accounts for a set period. If you need documentation of the closure later — for example, to prove to another bank that you don't have an account there — you can call customer service and ask them to send you a letter confirming the account is closed. This usually takes five to ten business days to arrive.

If you change your mind

If you close the account and then realize you need it back, you can reopen it within a short window — typically 30 days, though this varies. Call customer service when ready and ask if the account can be reopened. They will tell you whether it's still possible and what steps to take. After that window closes, you'll need to open a new savings account instead, which is treated as a new account with a new account number.

Reopening is not the same as keeping the account open, so if you're unsure about closing, consider leaving it open but inactive instead. There is no monthly fee on most Bank of America savings accounts as long as you maintain a minimum balance or set up direct deposit, so you can straightforward stop using it without closing it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will closing my savings account hurt my credit score?

No. Closing a savings account does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. Credit bureaus track credit accounts — credit cards, loans, lines of credit — not deposit accounts. Closing a checking or savings account is a banking transaction, not a credit event.

What if I have a negative balance when I try to close?

Bank of America will not close the account until the balance is zero or positive. If you owe money, deposit enough to cover the negative balance first. Once the account is in the clear, you can proceed with closure. If you're unsure how much you owe, ask the representative when you call.

Can I close the account if I still have pending transactions?

Bank of America may ask you to wait for pending transactions to clear before processing the closure. If a transaction is still pending, the representative will tell you how long to wait. Once it clears, call back to close the account. This usually takes one to three business days.

Do I need to close my checking account too?

No. Your checking and savings accounts are separate, even if they're linked. Closing one does not close the other. You can close just the savings account and keep the checking account open, or vice versa.

What if I forgot to cancel automatic transfers before closing?

If an automatic transfer tries to pull from a closed account, it will fail and may trigger an overdraft fee on the account it was supposed to transfer to. Call Bank of America customer service right away to explain the situation. They can sometimes reverse the overdraft fee if you can show that the failed transfer was the cause. Going forward, make sure to cancel all automatic activity before closing any account.