Close your account in person, by phone, or by mail—but move your money first

Bank of America lets you close a savings account through three channels: walk into a branch with your ID, call customer service at 1-800-432-1000, or send a written request by mail. Before you close, transfer or withdraw your balance, because the account must be empty. The bank will not close an account with money in it. If you have a linked checking account or automatic payments tied to the savings account, those connections break when you close, so update your payment methods elsewhere first.

Closing takes a few minutes in person or on the phone. By mail, allow 7 to 10 business days after the bank receives your letter. You will not face a penalty for closing—Bank of America does not charge a closure fee on savings accounts. If you have been inactive or overdrawn, the bank may have already closed the account without your request, so check your account status before you call.

Key Takeaways

  • Empty your account completely before closing—the bank will not process a closure request if money remains in the account.
  • You can close in a branch with your ID, by phone at 1-800-432-1000, or by mailing a signed letter requesting closure to your local branch.
  • Update any automatic payments or transfers linked to the savings account before you close, because those connections will stop working.
  • The closure takes effect immediately in person or by phone, and within 7 to 10 business days by mail.
  • Bank of America does not charge a fee to close a savings account.

What to do before you close

Move your money out first. You can transfer your balance to another account at Bank of America or at a different bank, or withdraw it in cash. If you have set up automatic deposits (like direct deposit of a paycheck) or automatic payments (like a monthly transfer to checking), those will stop working once the account closes. Log into your Bank of America account online or call 1-800-432-1000 to see what is linked to the savings account, then update those arrangements to point to a different account.

Check whether the account is already closed. If you have not used the account in a long time or if it has been overdrawn, Bank of America may have closed it without your request. You can see the account status by logging in online, calling customer service, or visiting a branch. If it is already closed, you do not need to take further action—just make sure any pending transactions have cleared before you move on.

Close in person at a Bank of America branch

Bring your ID and go to any Bank of America branch during business hours. Tell the teller you want to close your savings account. They will verify your identity, confirm the account is empty, and process the closure on the spot. The account closes immediately. Ask for written confirmation of the closure, which you can keep for your records. If you have questions about linked accounts or pending transactions, the teller can walk you through those before you close.

This is the fastest method and the one that leaves the least room for confusion, because you see the closure happen and get a receipt. If you do not have a branch nearby or cannot visit during business hours, use the phone or mail method instead.

Close by phone with Bank of America customer service

Call 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your savings account. They will ask for your account number and verify your identity by asking security questions or requesting information from your account. Confirm that your balance is zero. The representative will process the closure and give you a confirmation number. Write down the confirmation number and the date and time of the call.

The account closes immediately. You will receive written confirmation in the mail within 5 to 7 business days. If you do not receive it, call back and reference your confirmation number. Phone closure works well if you are out of state or cannot visit a branch, but keep that confirmation number in case you need to prove the account was closed.

Close by mail with a written request

Write a letter to your local Bank of America branch requesting closure of your savings account. Include your full name, account number, the date, and your signature. Keep the letter brief—one or two sentences is enough. Mail it to the address on your most recent statement or to your branch's mailing address, which you can find on the Bank of America website.

The bank will process the request within 7 to 10 business days of receiving it. Send the letter by regular mail or certified mail (certified is safer because you get proof of delivery). Keep a copy for yourself. You will receive written confirmation of the closure in the mail. If you do not hear back within two weeks, call 1-800-432-1000 with your account number to confirm the closure went through.

What happens after you close

The account stops working immediately (in person or by phone) or within 7 to 10 business days (by mail). Any automatic deposits or payments linked to the account will fail. If someone tries to send you money to that account, the transfer will bounce back to them. If you have a debit card tied to the savings account, it will stop working for that account, though a linked checking account debit card will still work.

Bank of America will send you a final statement showing the closure date and your last balance. Keep this statement for your records. If you closed the account because of a problem—like unauthorized charges or a dispute—contact the bank in writing within 60 days to report it, because your rights to dispute charges expire after that window closes.

What to do if you cannot close the account

If the account has a balance, you must move or withdraw the money before the bank will close it. If the account is overdrawn (you owe the bank money), you must pay the negative balance first. Call 1-800-432-1000 to find out how much you owe and how to pay it.

If the account is flagged for fraud or suspicious activity, the bank may freeze it temporarily and prevent closure until the investigation ends. The bank will contact you if this happens. If you believe the freeze is a mistake, ask to speak with the fraud department and provide any documentation you have.

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 accounts (credit cards, loans, lines of credit) show up on your credit report. You can close a savings account without any impact on your credit.

What if I closed the account by mistake and want to reopen it?

Call 1-800-432-1000 within a few days of closing. If the account was just closed, the bank may be able to reopen it. If too much time has passed, you will need to open a new account instead. Reopening is faster than opening a new account, so call as soon as you realize the mistake.

Can I close the account if I have pending transactions?

Wait for pending transactions to clear before you close. Pending transactions usually clear within 1 to 3 business days. If you close the account while transactions are still pending, they may fail or bounce back to the sender. Check your account online to see what is pending, then close once everything has settled.

Do I need to close my checking account too?

No. Your savings and checking accounts are separate, even if they are linked. You can close one without closing the other. If you want to close both, you can do it in the same visit or call, but you do not have to.

What if my account has been closed by the bank already?

If Bank of America closed the account due to inactivity or overdraft, you do not need to do anything else. Check your account online or call 1-800-432-1000 to confirm the closure date. If you disagree with the closure, call customer service to discuss it, though the bank's decision is usually final once the account is closed.