You can close a Bank of America savings account in person, by phone, or online, but the method depends on your account type and whether you have pending transactions
Bank of America lets you close a savings account through three routes: visiting a branch in person, calling customer service, or using online banking if your account is may be able to access. The fastest method is usually in person at your nearest branch, where a representative can process the closure immediately and handle any remaining balance. Phone closure takes longer because the bank needs to verify your identity through security questions and may require you to wait for written confirmation. Online closure through the mobile app or website works only for certain account types and may not be available if you have pending deposits, automatic transfers, or a negative balance.
Before you close the account, withdraw or transfer any remaining funds. Bank of America will not hold your money, but the closure process moves faster when the account balance is zero. If you have automatic bill payments or direct deposits linked to this account, change those to another account first — the bank will not redirect them for you. Check whether you have any pending checks or transfers that have not cleared yet; closing an account with outstanding transactions can create problems with those payments.
Key Takeaways
- Closing in person at a Bank of America branch is the fastest method and gives you immediate confirmation that the account is closed.
- You must move any remaining money out of the account before closure, either by withdrawal or transfer to another account.
- Stop any automatic payments, direct deposits, or recurring transfers linked to the savings account before you close it.
- If you close online and the system will not let you proceed, call customer service or visit a branch instead.
- The bank will send you written confirmation of the closure by mail within one to two weeks.
Closing your account in person at a branch
Walk into any Bank of America branch with a valid photo ID and tell the representative you want to close your savings account. Bring your debit card or account number so the representative can pull up your account quickly. They will verify your identity, confirm the current balance, and ask whether you want the remaining funds as a check, transferred to another account, or withdrawn in cash. If the balance is zero, this step takes five to ten minutes.
The representative will print a closure confirmation form for you to sign. Keep this receipt — it shows the date the account closed and the final balance. The account will be closed immediately, though it may take one to three business days for the closure to appear in your online banking. If you have pending transactions, the representative may ask you to wait until they clear before closing, or they may close the account and tell you where to pick up any incoming funds.
Closing your account by phone
Call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and say you want to close your savings account. Have your account number and a government-issued ID ready. The representative will ask security questions to verify your identity — these usually cover your recent transactions, address history, or previous passwords. This verification step takes five to ten minutes and cannot be skipped.
Once verified, the representative will confirm your account balance and ask how you want to receive any remaining funds. They can transfer money to another Bank of America account instantly, mail you a check (which takes five to seven business days), or arrange a wire transfer for a fee. The representative will give you a reference number for the closure. Bank of America will mail you written confirmation within one to two weeks. Do not close the account if you have pending deposits or automatic payments — ask the representative to help you redirect those first.
Closing your account online or through the mobile app
Open the Bank of America mobile app or go to bankofamerica.com and log in. Navigate to your savings account details and look for a "Close Account" or "Account Services" option. Not all account types allow online closure; if you do not see this option, you will need to close by phone or in person instead. The system will show your current balance and ask you to confirm that you want to proceed.
Online closure works only if your account has a zero balance and no pending transactions. If you have money in the account, the system will not let you close it — you must transfer or withdraw the funds first. After you confirm closure, the system will show a confirmation number on screen. Take a screenshot or write down this number. The account will close within one to three business days, and you will receive written confirmation by mail.
What happens to your money and pending transactions
Any money still in your savings account when it closes must go somewhere. If you tell the bank to transfer it to another Bank of America account you own, the transfer happens the same day. If you ask for a check, it arrives in five to seven business days — the bank will mail it to the address on file. If you request a wire transfer, the bank charges a fee (usually $15 to $30) and the money reaches your other bank within one to two business days.
Pending transactions — checks you wrote, automatic bill payments scheduled, or direct deposits coming in — do not stop just because you close the account. If a check clears after the account is closed, the bank will still process it and may charge an overdraft fee if there is no money to cover it. Direct deposits to a closed account will bounce back to the sender. Before you close, log into your account and check the past 30 days of activity to see if anything is still in flight. Call the companies that send you automatic payments and update your account information with them.
Reasons the bank might not let you close the account
Bank of America will refuse to close an account if it has a negative balance — meaning you owe the bank money. This usually happens when overdraft fees pile up or a transaction clears after your balance drops below zero. You must pay the negative amount before closure. Call customer service to find out exactly how much you owe and whether you can pay by phone or need to visit a branch.
The bank will also hold up closure if you have pending deposits, active automatic payments, or recent transactions that have not fully cleared. In these cases, wait three to five business days for everything to settle, then try again. If you have a linked credit card or line of credit attached to the savings account, you may need to close those first or update them to a different account. The representative can tell you which linked products need to be handled before the savings account can close.
After your account is closed
Once the account is closed, you cannot use the debit card associated with it. If the card is linked to other Bank of America accounts, those accounts will still work, but the card itself will be deactivated. Destroy the card by cutting it up or shredding it. Do not throw it away whole.
Keep the closure confirmation letter the bank sends you. If a check or payment tries to clear against the closed account, you may need to show proof that the account no longer exists. If you opened the account with a promotional offer and closed it within the required timeframe, the bank may claw back any bonus they paid you — check the original terms. You can reopen a Bank of America savings account at any time, but there may be a waiting period if you closed it due to fraud or abuse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my savings account if I have a negative balance?
No. You must pay off any negative balance first. Call customer service at 1-800-432-1000 to find out how much you owe and whether you can pay over the phone or need to visit a branch. Once the balance is zero or positive, you can proceed with closure.
What if I close my account and then a check clears against it?
The bank will attempt to process the check. If there is no money in the account, it will bounce and the check writer will be notified. You are not responsible for the bounced check, but the person who wrote it may face fees from their own bank. This is why you should verify all pending transactions before closing.
How long does it take for the account to actually close?
If you close in person or by phone, the account closes immediately in the bank's system, though it may take one to three business days to disappear from your online banking. If you close online, allow one to three business days. You will receive written confirmation by mail within one to two weeks.
Can I reopen the account after I close it?
Yes, you can open a new Bank of America savings account at any time. However, if you closed the account due to fraud, abuse, or repeated overdrafts, the bank may require you to wait 90 days or longer before opening a new account. Call customer service to ask about any waiting period that applies to you.
What should I do with my debit card after I close the account?
Destroy the card by cutting it in half or shredding it. Do not throw it away whole, as the card number and security information could be recovered. If the card is linked to other Bank of America accounts, those accounts will still work with a different card.