The fastest way to close your account

You can close a Bank of America savings account in person at any branch, by phone, or online through your account settings. In person is fastest — bring your ID and any debit cards tied to the account, and a banker will process the closure on the spot. By phone, call the number on the back of your card or 1-800-432-1000 and ask for account closure; this takes about 10 minutes. Online closure is available through your Bank of America profile under account settings, though some account types require a phone call or branch visit to complete the process.

Before you close, make sure your account balance is zero. If you have money in the account, the bank will mail you a check within 7 to 10 business days, or you can transfer the balance to another account first. If the account is overdrawn or has a negative balance, you must pay that amount before closure. Any pending transactions or automatic payments linked to the account will be rejected after closure, so cancel or redirect those first.

Key Takeaways

  • Closing in person at a branch is the fastest method and takes about 15 minutes with your ID and any linked debit cards.
  • You must have a zero balance before the account closes; if money remains, the bank mails a check within 7 to 10 business days.
  • Cancel or redirect any automatic payments or recurring charges tied to the account before you close it, or they will be rejected.
  • If the account is overdrawn, you must pay the negative balance before Bank of America will process the closure.
  • After closure, the account number becomes inactive and cannot be reopened; if you want the same account back, you cannot have it.

What to do before you close

Review your account for any automatic payments, direct deposits, or recurring charges. Log into your Bank of America profile and check the last three months of transactions to see what is coming out regularly. Common items include subscription services, insurance premiums, utility bills, and loan payments. For each one, either cancel the payment at the source (the company's website or by calling them) or change the payment method to a different account or card.

If you receive direct deposit to this account, contact your employer's payroll department and provide them with your new account number at least one pay cycle before the closure date. If you miss this step, your paycheck will be rejected and you will have to ask your employer to reissue it. Similarly, if you have a linked debit card, decide whether you want to keep it active on a different account or request that Bank of America cancel it.

Check whether you have a savings account linked to a checking account for overdraft protection. If you close the savings account, overdraft transfers from that account will stop working. Contact Bank of America to remove the link or set up overdraft protection on a different savings account if you want to keep that feature.

Closing in person at a branch

Bring your government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and any debit cards connected to the account. If someone else is authorized on the account, they can close it only if they are listed as an owner or authorized signer; Bank of America will ask for their ID as well. Arrive during branch hours — most locations are open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some have Saturday hours; call ahead to confirm.

Tell the banker you want to close your savings account and provide your account number or the card linked to it. They will verify your identity, confirm the balance is zero, and process the closure. You will receive a receipt showing the account is closed. If there is money in the account, ask whether you can transfer it to another Bank of America account on the spot or if they will mail a check. The banker can also cancel any linked debit cards at that time if you request it.

Closing by phone

Call 1-800-432-1000 (the number on the back of your Bank of America debit card or in your online account settings) 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 the last four digits of your Social Security number. Confirm that your balance is zero before they process the closure.

The representative will ask why you are closing the account — this is optional information and you do not have to answer. They will then process the closure and provide you with a confirmation number. Write down this number and the date and time of the call. If there is a balance remaining, ask whether it will be mailed as a check or transferred to another account. The call usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Closing online through your account

Log into your Bank of America profile on the website or mobile app. Go to account settings and look for an option labeled "Close Account" or "Account Services." Some account types allow you to complete closure entirely online; others will prompt you to call or visit a branch. If you see the option to close online, select it and follow the prompts to confirm your identity and verify that your balance is zero.

Not all savings accounts can be closed online. If you do not see a closure option, you will need to call 1-800-432-1000 or visit a branch. After you close the account online, you will receive a confirmation email within one business day. Keep this email for your records.

What happens after you close

The account number becomes inactive immediately and cannot be reactivated. If you later want to open a savings account with Bank of America again, you will receive a new account number. Any checks, automatic payments, or direct deposits sent to the old account number will be rejected. If you closed the account before redirecting direct deposit, contact your employer to reissue your paycheck to your new account.

Bank of America will not charge you a fee to close the account. If the account had a monthly maintenance fee waived because of a minimum balance, that waiver ends when you close. Any pending transactions that have not yet posted will be rejected after closure, so check your account for a few days after closing to confirm no unexpected charges appear.

If you had a debit card linked to the account, it will stop working once the account closes. If you requested that the card be canceled, Bank of America will deactivate it. If you did not request cancellation and the card is still active, contact the bank to cancel it or request a replacement card linked to a different account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my account if it has a negative balance?

No. You must pay the negative balance first. Contact Bank of America by phone or visit a branch to find out the exact amount owed, then make a payment. Once the balance reaches zero, you can proceed with closure.

What if I have money in the account when I close it?

Bank of America will mail you a check within 7 to 10 business days. You can also ask them to transfer the balance to another account you own at the bank on the same day. If you close online or by phone and do not specify, the default is a mailed check.

Will closing my savings account affect my credit score?

No. Closing a savings account does not appear on your credit report and does not impact your credit score. Only credit accounts like credit cards and loans affect your credit history.

Can I reopen the same account after I close it?

No. Once closed, the account number is permanently inactive. If you open a new savings account with Bank of America later, you will receive a different account number. You cannot recover a closed account.

What if I have automatic payments set up and I forget to cancel them?

They will be rejected after the account closes. The companies trying to charge you will receive a notice that the account is closed, and they may contact you for a new payment method. To avoid this, cancel or redirect all automatic payments before you close the account.