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 a balance

The fastest way to close a Bank of America savings account is to call 1-800-432-1000 during business hours. A representative will confirm your identity, check for any pending transactions, and process the closure. If you have money in the account, they will ask how you want it transferred—to another account, as a check, or via wire transfer. The account typically closes within one to three business days after the final balance is moved.

You can also close the account in person at any Bank of America branch. Bring a valid ID and your account number or debit card. A teller will verify your identity, handle the balance transfer, and complete the closure on the spot. This method works well if you prefer to speak face-to-face or need to move a large sum of cash.

Online closure is available through the Bank of America mobile app or website, but only if your account has a zero balance and no pending transactions. Log in, navigate to account settings, and select the option to close the account. You must move or withdraw all funds before you can initiate closure this way.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-800-432-1000 to close your account by phone; a representative will handle the balance transfer and confirm closure within one to three business days.
  • Visit a Bank of America branch in person with your ID and account number to close immediately and transfer funds face-to-face.
  • Online closure through the app or website requires a zero balance and no pending transactions before you can proceed.
  • Confirm that automatic payments or direct deposits linked to the account are redirected before closure, or they will fail.
  • Request written confirmation of closure and keep it for your records in case disputes arise later.

What happens to your money when you close the account

Bank of America will not close your account if it still holds a balance. You must move or withdraw all funds first. During the closure process, you can direct the remaining balance to another Bank of America account, an external bank account, or request a check mailed to your address.

If you choose a transfer to another account, the money typically arrives within one to three business days. Wire transfers are faster but may carry a fee. A check takes five to ten business days to arrive by mail. Ask the representative which option has no fee, as Bank of America does not charge for standard transfers between your own accounts.

If your account is overdrawn—meaning you owe Bank of America money—the bank will not close it until the negative balance is paid. You must deposit funds to bring the account to zero or positive before closure can proceed.

Stopping automatic payments and direct deposits before you close

Any automatic bill payments or recurring transfers tied to your savings account will fail once the account closes. Before you initiate closure, log into your account and review the "Transfers" or "Bill Pay" section to see what is scheduled.

Contact each company or creditor that pulls money from this account—utilities, insurance, loan servicers, subscription services—and provide them with your new account number or payment method. This includes payroll direct deposits if your employer deposits to this account. Changing these takes a few days, so start this step at least one week before you plan to close.

If you miss updating a payment and it fails after closure, the company will typically retry it and charge you a returned-payment fee. You may also face late fees if a bill payment bounces. Confirm with each company that they have received your new information before you close the account.

Timing: how long closure actually takes

The closure process itself is immediate when you call or visit in person—the representative will process it on the spot. However, the account does not fully close until all pending transactions clear and your balance reaches zero.

If you have checks outstanding or pending ACH transfers, the account may remain open for several additional days to allow those to process. Bank of America will not close the account until these clear. Once they do, the account closes automatically, and you will no longer be able to access it.

If you close the account but forget to update a bill payment, that payment may still attempt to process. Bank of America will reject it, and the company billing you will charge a returned-payment fee. This is why confirming all automatic payments are redirected is critical before you initiate closure.

What to do if you need to reopen the account later

If you close your savings account and later decide you need it back, you can open a new Bank of America savings account at any time. There is no waiting period or penalty for reopening. However, the original account number will not be restored—you will receive a new account number.

If you closed the account because of a dispute or error, contact Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000 before closing to see if the issue can be resolved without closure. Once an account is closed, reversing the closure is not possible; you must open a new account instead.

Keep your closure confirmation number and the date you closed the account. If a payment or deposit attempts to post to the closed account after closure, you will need this information to trace what happened and resolve it with the company that sent the payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my savings account if I have a negative balance?

No. You must deposit money to bring the account to zero or positive before Bank of America will close it. Once the balance is zero or above, you can proceed with closure. If the account is overdrawn due to fees, contact the bank to see if they will waive them before you deposit.

What if I have a savings account linked to a checking account?

Closing the savings account does not affect your checking account. However, if you have overdraft protection set up—where the savings account covers overdrafts on the checking account—that protection will end once the savings account closes. Update your overdraft settings before closure if you want to keep that protection active.

Will closing my savings account hurt my credit score?

Closing a savings account does not directly affect your credit score because savings accounts are not reported to credit bureaus. However, if the account is overdrawn and sent to collections, that can damage your credit. Pay any negative balance before closure to avoid this.

How do I get proof that my account is closed?

Bank of America will provide a confirmation number when you close the account by phone or in person. Request written confirmation by mail or ask if they can email it to you. Keep this for your records. You can also log into your online account after a few days—closed accounts no longer appear in your account list.

What if I closed the account but a payment still tried to process?

Contact the company that sent the payment and provide them with your new account information. Ask them to resubmit the payment to your new account. If they charged you a returned-payment fee, request that they waive it since the account closure was not their fault. You may also contact Bank of America to confirm the account is closed and get documentation for the company.