You can close a Bank of America savings account online, by phone, or in person—the fastest route depends on your account balance and whether you have linked accounts

Bank of America lets you close a savings account through three channels: their website (if your balance is under $10,000 and you have no pending transactions), their phone line at 1-800-432-1000, or by walking into a branch with your ID. The online method takes minutes if you may have access to. Phone and branch closures work for any balance and take 5 to 10 minutes on the call or in person, though the actual account closure processes over the next few business days. You'll need to move or withdraw your remaining balance first—the bank won't close an account with money still in it.

The term "remove" usually means one of two things: closing the account entirely, or straightforward removing it from your online banking view if you're not using it. This guide covers full closure. If you only want to hide an inactive account from your dashboard, you can do that through settings without closing it, and you can reactivate it later.

Key Takeaways

  • Online closure works only if your balance is under $10,000 and you have no pending deposits or withdrawals—otherwise use the phone line or a branch.
  • You must move or withdraw all money from the account before closure; the bank will not close an account that still holds funds.
  • Phone closure through 1-800-432-1000 works for any balance and takes about 5 to 10 minutes, with the account fully closed within a few business days.
  • If you have a linked checking account or automatic transfers tied to this savings account, you'll need to update or cancel those before closing.
  • The bank will send you written confirmation of closure by mail, usually within one to two weeks.

Closing your account online through Bank of America's website

Log into your Bank of America online account and go to the account settings or account management section. Look for the option labeled "Close Account" or "Account Services"—the exact wording varies depending on whether you're using the desktop site or the mobile app. Select your savings account from the list, then follow the prompts to confirm closure.

This method only works if your account balance is under $10,000, you have no pending transactions, and the account has been open for at least 30 days. If any of those conditions don't explore, you'll see a message telling you to call or visit a branch instead. Even if you see the online option, Bank of America may ask you to move your money first if the balance is close to the $10,000 threshold.

After you confirm, the account closes when ready in your online view, but the actual closure in Bank of America's system takes two to three business days. You won't be able to use the account during that time, and any checks or automatic payments tied to it will be rejected.

Closing your account by phone

Call Bank of America's customer service line at 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your savings account. Have your account number and ID ready. The representative will confirm your identity, verify that your balance is zero (or help you arrange a transfer if it isn't), and then process the closure. The whole call usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.

If you have money in the account, the representative can transfer it to another Bank of America account you own, or they can arrange a check to be mailed to you. If you want the funds sent to an account at a different bank, you'll need to withdraw the money first and then call back to close the empty account. Some representatives will also offer to mail you a check directly, though this takes longer than a transfer.

After the call, your account is flagged for closure in Bank of America's system. The actual closure completes within two to five business days. You'll receive written confirmation by mail.

Closing your account in person at a Bank of America branch

Visit any Bank of America branch with a valid photo ID and your account number (or the card linked to the account). Tell a teller you want to close your savings account. They'll pull up your account, confirm your balance, and process the closure on the spot. If you have money in the account, the teller can transfer it to another account, issue a check, or let you withdraw it in cash right there.

In-person closure is the fastest way to handle it if you need the money when ready or if you want to speak to someone face-to-face. The teller will give you a receipt confirming that closure was requested, and you'll receive formal written confirmation by mail within one to two weeks.

What to do if you have linked accounts or automatic transfers

Before you close your savings account, check whether any automatic transfers, bill payments, or direct deposits are tied to it. Log into your Bank of America account and look at your transfer history and scheduled payments. If your paycheck deposits into this savings account, you'll need to change your employer's direct deposit information to point to a different account first.

If you have a linked checking account that you use for transfers between the two, you don't have to close the checking account—just stop using the savings account. However, if you have automatic transfers set up (for example, a weekly move from checking to savings), you should cancel those before closure so the bank doesn't try to process a transfer to an account that no longer exists.

The same applies to bill payments or other services that pull from this account. Update those to use a different account, or cancel them entirely, before you close. If you forget and the bank tries to process a transaction after closure, it will be rejected and may trigger an overdraft fee on your other account.

What happens after your account closes

Once Bank of America processes your closure, you won't be able to access the account online, and any card or checks linked to it will stop working. If someone tries to deposit a check into the closed account, the bank will return it to the sender. If a company tries to withdraw money from the account (for a subscription or bill payment), the transaction will be rejected.

Bank of America keeps records of closed accounts for a set period. If you need a statement or transaction history from the account after it's closed, you can request it by calling customer service or visiting a branch—they can usually provide this for up to seven years.

If you closed the account but later realize you need to reopen it, you can do so by visiting a branch or calling customer service. Reopening is usually straightforward if the account has been closed for less than a year, though the bank may ask why you closed it and may require a new minimum deposit.

Removing an account from your online view without closing it

If you don't want to fully close the account but straightforward don't want to see it in your online banking dashboard, you can hide it instead. Log into your Bank of America account, find the account settings or preferences section, and look for an option to hide or archive accounts. This keeps the account open and active—you can still use it if you need to—but it won't show up in your main account list.

This is useful if you want to keep the account for emergencies or future use but don't want the clutter in your dashboard. You can unhide the account at any time by going back to the same settings and selecting it again. Hiding an account does not affect any automatic transfers or payments tied to it, so make sure those are still working the way you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my Bank of America savings account if I still have money in it?

No, the account must have a zero balance before closure. If you have money in it, you can transfer it to another account you own, withdraw it in cash, or ask the bank to mail you a check. Once the balance is zero, you can proceed with closure online, by phone, or in person.

How long does it take for Bank of America to fully close my account?

The account closes when ready in your online view, but the actual closure in the bank's system takes two to five business days. You'll receive written confirmation by mail within one to two weeks. During those few days, the account is inactive and cannot be used.

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

Bank of America keeps records of closed accounts for up to seven years. Call customer service at 1-800-432-1000 or visit a branch to request statements or transaction history from your closed account. They can usually provide these within a few business days.

Will closing my savings account hurt my credit score?

No. Closing a savings account does not affect your credit score because savings accounts are not reported to credit bureaus. Only credit accounts (credit cards, loans, lines of credit) appear on your credit report.

Can I reopen a Bank of America savings account after I close it?

Yes, you can reopen a closed account if it has been closed for less than a year. Visit a branch or call 1-800-432-1000 to reopen. The bank may ask why you closed it and may require a new minimum deposit, but reopening is usually straightforward.