You can close a Bank of America savings account in person, by phone, or online, depending on your account type and what you need to do with the money inside

Bank of America lets you close a savings account through three main 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, because the banker can confirm your identity on the spot, process the closure immediately, and handle what happens to your remaining balance. Phone and online closures take longer because Bank of America needs to verify you through additional steps.

Before you close, move or withdraw all the money in the account. Bank of America will not close an account with a negative balance, and if you leave money behind, the bank may hold it or charge fees. If you have automatic transfers or bill payments linked to this account, change those to a different account first — otherwise those payments will fail.

Key Takeaways

  • Closing in person at a Bank of America branch is the fastest method and requires only your ID and the account number.
  • You must withdraw or transfer all money from the account before closing; Bank of America will not close an account with a balance or negative balance.
  • If you close by phone, have your account number and ID information ready, and the process takes five to ten business days to complete.
  • Check for automatic payments, transfers, or direct deposits linked to the account and move them to another account before you close.
  • After closure, keep your final statement and confirmation number in case you need proof the account is closed.

Closing in person at a Bank of America branch

Walk into any Bank of America branch with your government-issued ID and ask to close your savings account. Tell the banker which account you want to close — have the account number ready if you know it. The banker will pull up the account, confirm the balance, and ask how you want to handle the money. If there is a balance, they can give it to you in cash, transfer it to another Bank of America account, or issue a check.

The banker will then process the closure on the spot. You will receive a confirmation number and a final statement showing the account is closed. This entire process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. Keep the confirmation number and final statement — you may need them later if a payment tries to post to the closed account or if you need proof the account no longer exists.

If you do not have a local branch nearby or cannot visit during business hours, use phone or online closure instead. Bank of America branches are open Monday through Friday, with limited Saturday hours at most locations.

Closing by phone with Bank of America customer service

Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your savings account. Have your account number and a government-issued ID ready — the representative will ask for your full name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity. This verification step takes a few minutes.

Once verified, the representative will confirm the account balance and ask what you want to do with the money. You can request a check mailed to your address, a transfer to another Bank of America account, or a transfer to an external bank account. If you choose an external transfer, provide the routing number and account number of the receiving bank.

The representative will then submit the closure request. Bank of America typically processes phone closures within five to ten business days. You will receive a confirmation number during the call — write it down. A final statement will arrive in the mail within one to two weeks. Do not assume the account is closed until you receive that statement or can confirm closure online.

Closing online through Bank of America digital banking

Log into your Bank of America online account or mobile app and navigate to the account settings or account management section. Not all account types can be closed online — if you do not see a close account option, you will need to use phone or in-person closure instead. If the option appears, select it and follow the prompts.

Bank of America will ask you to confirm the account balance and choose what to do with any remaining money. You can transfer it to another Bank of America account or request a check. After you submit the request, the bank will send a confirmation email and process the closure within five to ten business days.

Online closure is convenient but slower than in-person closure, and you cannot ask questions in real time if something goes wrong. If your account has an unusual balance or linked services, in-person or phone closure is safer because you can talk through the details with a representative.

What to do before closing: moving automatic payments and transfers

Check whether any automatic payments, bill payments, or recurring transfers are linked to this savings account. Log into your Bank of America account and look at recent transactions to see what is coming out regularly. Common linked services include automatic transfers to checking, bill pay to utilities or credit cards, or direct deposits from an employer.

For each automatic payment or transfer, log into the company's website or call them directly and update the account information to point to a different bank account. Do this at least one week before you close the savings account. If you miss one and a payment tries to post after closure, it will fail and may trigger a late fee or service interruption with that company.

If you have direct deposits going into this account, contact your employer's payroll department and provide your new account number. Again, do this before you close the account.

What happens to money left in the account

Bank of America will not close an account if there is money in it. If the account has a positive balance, you must move or withdraw that money first. If the account has a negative balance — meaning you owe the bank money — you must pay that amount before closure. Negative balances usually result from overdraft fees or returned deposits.

If you close the account and later realize money was still in it, contact Bank of America immediately. The bank may be able to reopen the account or issue a check for the remaining balance, but this depends on how long ago the account closed and whether the money has been transferred elsewhere.

After closure: what to keep and what to watch for

Save your confirmation number and final statement. These documents prove the account is closed and show the final balance and how it was handled. Keep them for at least one year in case a payment tries to post to the closed account or if you need to dispute something with the bank.

After closure, monitor your credit report and bank statements to make sure no unexpected charges appear. If a company tries to charge the closed account, contact that company and provide your new account information. If Bank of America charges you a fee related to the closed account, call customer service and ask them to reverse it — fees on closed accounts are often waived if you request it promptly.

The closed account will remain on your bank statement history for several years. This is normal and does not affect your credit score.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. You must pay the negative balance first. Contact Bank of America to find out the exact amount owed, including any overdraft fees. Once you pay it, the account balance will be zero and you can proceed with closure.

How long does it take Bank of America to close a savings account?

In-person closure is immediate — the account closes while you are at the branch. Phone and online closures take five to ten business days. You will receive a final statement in the mail confirming closure within one to two weeks after the request is submitted.

What if I close my account and then need to access it again?

Once closed, the account cannot be reopened. You will need to open a new savings account. Contact Bank of America at a branch or by phone to start a new account. Your old account number cannot be reused.

Will closing my savings account hurt my credit score?

No. Closing a savings account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit accounts like credit cards and loans, not deposit accounts. Closing a savings account is a routine banking action with no credit impact.

What if a payment tries to post to my account after I close it?

The payment will be rejected and returned to the company trying to charge you. Contact that company immediately and provide your new account information. If the rejection causes a late fee or service interruption, ask the company to reverse the fee since the account closure was not your fault.