How to close a Bank of America savings account

You can close a Bank of America savings account in person at a branch, by phone, or online through your account settings. The fastest route is usually in person with your debit card and ID, because the teller can confirm your balance, process any remaining funds, and close the account on the spot. If you close by phone or online, the process takes longer — typically three to five business days — and you will need to arrange how to receive any remaining balance.

Before you close, withdraw or transfer any money you want to keep, pay off any overdrafts or fees, and make sure no automatic deposits or payments are still linked to the account. Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding balance owed to them.

Key Takeaways

  • Closing in person at a branch is the fastest method and lets you walk out knowing the account is closed and your money is handled.
  • You must have a zero balance or arrange a transfer before closing; Bank of America will not close an account that owes them money.
  • If you close by phone, call 1-800-432-1000 and have your account number and ID ready; closure takes three to five business days.
  • Check that no payroll deposits, bill payments, or automatic transfers are still connected to the account before you close it.
  • If you have a linked checking account, closing the savings account does not affect the checking account unless you specifically close that too.

Closing in person at a Bank of America branch

Walk into any Bank of America branch with your debit card and a government-issued ID. Tell the teller you want to close your savings account. They will pull up your account, confirm the current balance, and ask how you want to receive any remaining funds — as a check, a transfer to another account, or cash if the amount is not too large.

The teller will then process the closure and give you a receipt showing the account is closed and what happened to your balance. This is the clearest proof of closure and takes about 10 to 15 minutes. If you have any pending transactions or holds on the account, the teller will tell you before closing and may ask you to wait a few days.

Closing by phone

Call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000. Have your account number, Social Security number, and a form of ID ready. The representative will verify your identity, confirm your account balance, and ask how you want to receive any remaining money.

Once you confirm, the representative will submit the closure request. Bank of America will process it within three to five business days. You will receive a confirmation by mail or email depending on your account settings. If you do not receive confirmation within a week, call back and ask for a closure reference number.

Closing online through your Bank of America account

Log into your Bank of America online banking or mobile app. Go to your savings account details and look for a "Close Account" or "Account Services" option. Not all accounts can be closed online — if you do not see this option, you will need to close by phone or in person.

If the option is available, click it and follow the prompts. You will be asked to confirm your balance and choose how to receive any remaining funds. After you submit, the closure request goes into the queue and typically processes within three to five business days. You will get a confirmation email when it is complete.

What to do before you close

Check your account for any automatic deposits or payments. If you have payroll direct deposit, a pension, Social Security, or any other regular deposit going to this account, you need to change that to another account first. The same goes for automatic bill payments, subscription charges, or transfers. Bank of America will not close the account while these are active, and if they process after closure, they will bounce and may trigger overdraft fees on another account.

Pay any outstanding fees or overdraft balances. If your account is negative or you owe Bank of America money, they will not close it until that is settled. If you have a linked checking account with an overdraft, make sure that is also settled.

Withdraw or transfer any money you want to keep. You can move funds to another bank before closing, or ask the teller or representative to send you a check. If you are transferring to another Bank of America account, that usually happens instantly.

What happens to your debit card and checks

Your debit card linked to the savings account will stop working once the account closes. If you also have a checking account at Bank of America, your checking debit card will still work — closing savings does not affect checking unless you close that too.

If you have checks printed for the savings account, they will bounce after closure. Destroy any remaining checks or contact Bank of America to request they be cancelled. If someone deposits a check to your closed account, the bank will reject it and return it to the depositor.

If you need to reopen the account later

Bank of America will let you reopen a closed savings account within a certain window, usually 30 to 90 days, without a new application. After that window closes, you would need to open a new account. If you closed because of a fee or service issue, call 1-800-432-1000 and ask whether the bank can waive fees or change your account type instead of closing.

Keep your closure receipt or confirmation email. If there is ever a dispute about whether the account was closed, or if a payment tries to post after closure, you will need proof of the closure date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my savings account if I have a pending deposit or transfer?

No. Bank of America will not close an account with pending transactions. Wait for the deposit or transfer to clear, then close. If a transfer is stuck, contact the sending bank to confirm it was sent, or ask Bank of America to cancel it so you can close.

What if I have a negative balance or owe Bank of America money?

You must pay the negative balance or fees before closing. If you do not, Bank of America will not process the closure. Pay the amount owed, wait for it to clear, then submit your closure request again.

Do I lose my account history after closing?

No. Bank of America keeps records of closed accounts. You can still view your transaction history online or by calling customer service, even after the account is closed. This is useful for tax records or disputes.

How long does it take to get a check if I choose that option for my remaining balance?

If you close in person, the teller can print a check on the spot or mail one within three to five business days. If you close by phone or online, Bank of America will mail a check, which typically arrives within five to seven business days depending on your location.

Can I close a savings account that is linked to a credit card or loan?

Closing a savings account does not affect a credit card or loan. However, if Bank of America uses that savings account for automatic payments on a loan or card, you need to change the payment method before closing. Call the loan or card department to update your payment account.