You can close a Bank of America savings account in person, by phone, or by mail — the fastest way is in person at a branch

Bank of America lets you close a savings account through three channels: walk into a branch with your ID, call their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000, or send a written request by mail. In-branch closure takes minutes and gives you a receipt on the spot. Phone closure takes about 10 minutes and they'll confirm the account is closed before you hang up. Mail takes longer — typically 5 to 10 business days after they receive your letter — because they have to verify your identity and process the request manually.

Before you close, make sure your account balance is zero or move any remaining funds to another account. Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding balance. If you have pending transactions or automatic deposits scheduled, cancel those first or they may bounce after closure. If your account is overdrawn, you'll need to deposit enough to cover the negative balance before closure is possible.

Key Takeaways

  • Closing in person at a Bank of America branch is the fastest method and gives you immediate confirmation with a receipt.
  • Your account balance must be zero before closure — transfer or withdraw any remaining money first.
  • Cancel any automatic deposits, transfers, or bill payments linked to the account before you close it.
  • If the account is overdrawn, deposit enough to bring the balance to zero before attempting closure.
  • Keep your closure confirmation for your records in case disputes arise later.

Closing in person at a branch

Find your nearest Bank of America branch using their branch locator on their website or by calling 1-800-432-1000. Bring your government-issued ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You do not need to bring the savings account card itself, though it helps. Tell the teller you want to close the account and they will verify your identity, confirm the balance is zero, and process the closure on the spot.

The teller will print a receipt showing the account number, closure date, and final balance. Keep this receipt. If you have any remaining balance, they will offer to cut a check, transfer it to another Bank of America account, or deposit it into an external account if you provide routing and account numbers. The closure is effective immediately — the account cannot be used after you leave the branch.

Closing by phone

Call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and tell them 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 history. Have your account number ready — it's on your statements, your debit card, or in the Bank of America app.

The representative will confirm your balance is zero and ask how you want to handle any remaining funds. They can transfer money to another Bank of America account, arrange a check by mail, or initiate a transfer to an external bank account if you provide the routing and account numbers. They will give you a confirmation number — write it down. Ask them to email or mail a written confirmation of closure, though this is not always available immediately.

Closing by mail

Write a letter to Bank of America requesting closure of your savings account. Include your full name, account number, current address, and phone number. State clearly that you want the account closed and ask them to confirm closure in writing. Sign and date the letter. Mail it to Bank of America's customer service address — you can find the correct mailing address by calling 1-800-432-1000 or checking your most recent statement.

Include a copy of your ID with the letter so they can verify your identity. Do not send the original ID. Bank of America typically takes 5 to 10 business days to process a mail closure after they receive it. They will send you a confirmation letter with the closure date. If you have funds in the account, include instructions for how you want them handled — transferred to another account, sent as a check, or deposited elsewhere — or call ahead to move the money yourself before mailing the request.

What happens to pending transactions and automatic payments

Any automatic deposits, transfers, or bill payments linked to the account will fail after closure. If your paycheck is set to deposit into this account, change the direct deposit information with your employer before you close it. If you have automatic bill payments coming from this account, update those billers with a new payment method at least a week before closure.

Pending transactions that have not yet cleared may still post after the account closes, which can cause overdraft fees or bounced payments. Check your account activity for the past few days and wait for any pending items to clear before closing. If a transaction posts after closure and the account cannot cover it, Bank of America may charge an overdraft fee or return the payment unpaid.

Handling an overdrawn or negative balance

If your account is overdrawn — meaning the balance is negative — you cannot close it until you deposit enough money to bring it to zero. Bank of America will not process a closure request on an account with an outstanding balance owed to the bank. Deposit the amount needed to cover the negative balance, wait for the deposit to clear, then proceed with closure.

If you closed the account and later discover a transaction posted that created a negative balance, contact Bank of America immediately. They may reverse the overdraft fee or allow you to settle the balance by phone or mail. The sooner you address it, the more options you have.

After closure: what you need to know

Once closed, the account number cannot be reused or reopened. If you need a savings account again, you will have to open a new one with a new account number. Bank of America keeps records of closed accounts for their internal purposes, so if there are ever disputes about transactions from when the account was open, you can contact them with your closure confirmation number and they can pull the history.

Keep your closure receipt or confirmation letter for at least one year. If a company tries to charge the closed account or if a transaction appears on your credit report tied to this account, you will need proof of the closure date to dispute it. If you opened the account with a promotional offer or bonus, closing it may affect your may be able to access for future promotions — check the terms of any offer before you close.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reopen a Bank of America savings account I just closed?

Yes, you can open a new savings account at any time, but it will have a different account number. You cannot reopen the exact same account — once closed, that account number is retired. Opening a new account takes a few minutes in person or online.

What if I close my account and then a check I wrote bounces?

If a check clears after you close the account, Bank of America will return it unpaid and may charge the person who wrote the check a returned check fee. If you wrote checks from this account, make sure they have all cleared before closure or contact the recipients to cancel them.

Do I lose my transaction history after I close the account?

No. Bank of America keeps records of closed accounts. You can request statements or transaction history by calling 1-800-432-1000 or visiting a branch, even after closure. Keep your closure confirmation in case you need to reference it later.

Will closing my savings account affect my credit score?

Closing a savings account does not affect your credit score because savings accounts do not appear on your credit report. Only credit products like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit impact your credit. Closing a savings account is a routine banking action with no credit consequences.

What if I have a joint account — can I close it alone?

If the account is jointly owned, both account holders typically must consent to closure. Contact Bank of America to ask about your specific account structure — some joint accounts allow either owner to close, while others require both signatures. Call 1-800-432-1000 to confirm the requirement for your account.