Call Bank of America or visit a branch to close your account

The fastest way to close a Bank of America savings account is to call their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000 and ask to speak with someone who handles account closures. Have your account number ready. They will confirm your identity, check for any remaining balance, and walk you through the steps to close the account. The whole call usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.

If you prefer to close the account in person, visit any Bank of America branch with a photo ID and your account number. A banker will process the closure on the spot. You can withdraw any remaining balance as cash, have it transferred to another account, or request a check. If you have a small balance and no outstanding issues, the branch can often complete this in under five minutes.

Online closure is not available for Bank of America savings accounts. You must use the phone or visit a branch.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-800-432-1000 or visit a Bank of America branch in person to close your savings account — online closure is not an option.
  • Have your account number and a photo ID ready, and confirm you have withdrawn or transferred any money you want to keep.
  • Any remaining balance will be returned to you as cash, a check, or a transfer to another account, depending on what you request.
  • If you have a linked checking account or automatic payments tied to the savings account, cancel or update those before you close.
  • The account closure is usually final within one to three business days after you complete the process.

Prepare your account before you call or visit

Before you contact Bank of America, withdraw or transfer any money you want to keep. If you leave a balance in the account, the bank will return it to you, but it is simpler to move the money yourself first. Log into your online banking or mobile app, or call the number on the back of your debit card to check your current balance and recent activity.

Check whether you have any automatic payments or recurring transfers set up from this savings account. If you do, you will need to cancel or redirect them before closing. Log into your account online and look for scheduled transfers or bill payments. If you find any, update them to pull from a different account or cancel them entirely. Closing an account with active automatic payments can cause those payments to fail, which may result in late fees or service interruptions.

If you have a linked checking account, confirm that you are not relying on the savings account for overdraft protection. Some Bank of America customers link their savings to their checking account so that overdrafts automatically pull from savings. If this applies to you, contact the bank before closing to remove the link or set up a different overdraft method.

What happens to your remaining balance

Any money left in your savings account after closure will not disappear. Bank of America will return it to you in one of three ways: as cash if you close in person, as a check mailed to your address on file, or as a transfer to another bank account you specify. When you call or visit, tell the banker which method you prefer.

If you choose a transfer to another account, have that account number and routing number ready. The transfer usually takes one to three business days. If you choose a check, it will be mailed to the address Bank of America has on file for you, which typically takes five to seven business days to arrive. If you close in person and want cash, you can receive it immediately.

Timing and what to expect after closure

Bank of America typically closes the account within one to three business days after you complete the closure request. You will receive a confirmation email or letter depending on your communication preferences. Once closed, you will no longer be able to access the account online, and any debit card linked to that account will stop working.

If you have pending transactions or checks that have not yet cleared, they may still process after the account is closed. Contact the bank if you are unsure whether any payments are still in flight. The bank will handle them according to their standard procedures, but it is better to confirm before closing to avoid confusion.

Reasons you might not be able to close immediately

Bank of America may delay closure if your account has a negative balance — meaning you owe the bank money. This can happen if fees exceeded your balance or if a transaction posted after your balance dropped below zero. You will need to deposit money to bring the account to zero or positive before closing. Ask the banker how much you owe and whether any fees can be waived.

If your account is flagged for suspicious activity or is under review, the bank may not allow closure until the review is complete. This is rare, but it can happen. If this occurs, ask what information the bank needs from you to clear the hold and how long the review typically takes.

Some accounts with outstanding disputes or chargebacks cannot be closed until those issues are resolved. If you recently disputed a transaction or had a chargeback filed, contact the bank to check the status before attempting to close.

Alternatives if you want to keep the account open

If you are closing because of low interest rates or high fees, consider whether switching to a different Bank of America savings product makes sense first. Bank of America offers several savings account types with different features and fee structures. A banker can explain which accounts have no monthly maintenance fees or higher interest rates on certain balance levels.

If you are closing because you want to move your money to a different bank, you do not have to close the Bank of America account right away. You can transfer your balance to the new bank and leave the Bank of America account open but inactive. This gives you time to make sure all your automatic payments and transfers have moved over successfully before you formally close.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will closing my savings account hurt my credit score?

No. 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 show up on your credit history. Closing a savings account is a straightforward banking transaction with no credit impact.

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

Once closed, you cannot reopen the exact same account. However, you can open a new Bank of America savings account at any time by visiting a branch or calling 1-800-432-1000. The new account will have a different account number, but it will work the same way as your previous one.

Do I need to close my account in person, or can someone else do it for me?

You can authorize someone else to close the account on your behalf if you give them power of attorney or written permission. However, Bank of America will need to verify your identity or receive written authorization from you. Call the bank first to ask what documentation they need if you want someone else to handle the closure.

What if I have a negative balance when I try to close?

You must bring the account to zero or positive before Bank of America will close it. Deposit enough money to cover the negative balance and any outstanding fees. Once the account is at zero, you can proceed with closure. Ask the banker whether any fees can be reversed to reduce the amount you need to deposit.

How long does it take for the account to fully close?

The closure is usually complete within one to three business days. You will receive a confirmation, and the account will no longer appear in your online banking. If you requested a check for your remaining balance, allow an additional five to seven business days for it to arrive in the mail.