You can close a Bank of America savings account online through the mobile app or website, but only if you meet two conditions: your account balance is zero and you have no pending transactions.
Bank of America does not offer a fully online closure process for savings accounts the way some banks do. You can initiate the request through your account, but you will need to either transfer or withdraw your remaining balance first, and you may need to call to complete the closure depending on your account type and whether you have linked accounts or outstanding holds.
The fastest route is usually the phone: call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000, confirm your identity, and ask to close the account. They will verify your balance is zero and process it immediately. If you want to attempt the online route first, here is what actually happens at each step.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America requires your savings account balance to be exactly zero before closure, so you must transfer or withdraw all money first.
- The online closure option appears in your account settings only after your balance hits zero and all pending transactions clear.
- If you cannot find a closure option online, calling 1-800-432-1000 is faster and works for all account types.
- After you request closure, the account typically closes within one to three business days, though it may remain visible in your account for longer.
- If you have a linked checking account, credit card, or outstanding holds, Bank of America may require you to call rather than close online.
How to empty your savings account before closing
Before you can close the account, you need to move or withdraw every dollar. You have two options: transfer the balance to another Bank of America account you own, or withdraw it as cash or a check.
To transfer online, log into your Bank of America account, go to the savings account, and select "Transfer Money." Choose your destination account (checking, another savings account, or an external account you have already linked). The transfer typically posts within one business day for internal transfers or one to three business days for external accounts.
To withdraw, visit a Bank of America branch with your debit card or ID and ask the teller to withdraw the full balance. You can also use an ATM to withdraw up to your daily limit, though this may take multiple days if your balance is large. Once the balance reaches zero and all pending charges have cleared, you can proceed to close the account.
Closing your account through the mobile app or website
Open the Bank of America mobile app or log into your online account. Navigate to your savings account and look for a settings or account options menu—this is usually a gear icon or three dots in the corner. Scroll down to find "Close Account" or "Account Closure."
The closure option will only appear if your balance is zero and no transactions are pending. If you do not see it, your balance is not actually zero yet, or a charge or transfer is still processing. Wait one business day and check again.
If the option appears, select it and confirm your request. Bank of America will ask you to verify your identity and may ask why you are closing the account. Complete the confirmation, and the account will close within one to three business days. You will receive a confirmation email.
When you must call instead of closing online
Bank of America sometimes blocks online closure for savings accounts that are linked to checking accounts, credit cards, or loan products. If you have automatic transfers set up between your savings and checking, or if your savings account is part of a package deal, you may need to call to close it.
Similarly, if your account has a hold placed by the bank (often due to fraud investigation or a pending legal matter), you cannot close it online. Call 1-800-432-1000 and explain the situation. A representative can remove the hold or close the account despite it, depending on the reason.
If you have not used the account in a long time, Bank of America may have flagged it as inactive. Inactive accounts can sometimes be closed online, but if you encounter an error message, calling is faster than troubleshooting.
What happens to your debit card and linked services
Closing a savings account does not close your checking account or cancel your debit card. If your debit card is linked only to the savings account you are closing, Bank of America will deactivate it and mail you a new one linked to your checking account (if you have one). This takes five to seven business days.
If you have automatic bill payments, transfers, or direct deposits set to pull from this savings account, they will fail once the account closes. Before you close, log into any services that pull from this account—utilities, subscriptions, loan payments—and update them to pull from a different account or payment method instead.
Mobile wallet services like Apple Pay or Google Pay linked to a debit card tied to this account will stop working once the card is deactivated. You will need to re-add your new card to those services after it arrives.
Timeline from request to full closure
The account closure request processes within one to three business days. However, the account may remain visible in your online account for up to 30 days after closure, especially if there are pending transactions or if the system is reconciling final records. This is normal and does not mean the account is still active.
If you requested closure online and the account is still showing as active after five business days, call 1-800-432-1000 to confirm the closure went through. Occasionally the online request fails silently, and you will need a representative to complete it manually.
After the account is fully closed, you will not be able to access it or see it in your account list. If you need a record of transactions from the closed account for tax or legal purposes, download your statements before you close it.
What to do if you cannot close the account online
If the "Close Account" option does not appear after your balance is zero, or if you get an error message, do not keep trying. Call 1-800-432-1000 instead. Have your account number and a form of ID ready.
Tell the representative you want to close your savings account. They will verify your identity, confirm your balance is zero, and process the closure over the phone. This takes about five minutes and works regardless of account type, linked services, or system glitches.
If you are calling from outside the United States, use the international number on the back of your debit card or check Bank of America's website for the correct routing. You may be charged international calling fees depending on your phone plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 products like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit appear on your credit report. Your credit score will not change.
Can I reopen a Bank of America savings account after I close it?
Yes, you can open a new savings account at any time. However, if your account was closed due to fraud, violation of the account agreement, or negative balance, Bank of America may review your history before allowing you to open a new one. Most closures have no impact on your ability to open a future account.
What if my account balance is not exactly zero?
You must get it to zero before closing. If there is a small amount left (like $0.01), withdraw it at an ATM or transfer it to another account. If there is a negative balance, you owe Bank of America that amount. Pay it immediately, either online or at a branch, before you can close the account.
Do I need to close my account in person at a branch?
No. You can close it online or by phone. Visiting a branch is not necessary unless you want to withdraw cash in person or need help troubleshooting why the online option is not working. Calling is usually faster than going to a branch.
How long does Bank of America keep records after I close the account?
Bank of America keeps account records for at least seven years, even after closure. If you need a statement or transaction history for tax or legal purposes, you can request it by calling 1-800-432-1000 or visiting a branch. There is no charge for records from closed accounts.