You can close a Bank of America savings account by phone, in person, or online, but the method depends on your account type and whether you have a zero balance

Bank of America lets you close a savings account through three channels: calling their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000, visiting a local branch in person, or using their online banking portal if your account is may be able to access. Before you close, you need to withdraw or transfer any remaining balance—the bank will not close an account with money in it. If you have a negative balance (you owe the bank), you must pay that amount first.

The entire process typically takes a few minutes if you call or visit a branch, though it may take one to three business days for the closure to fully process in their system and disappear from your online banking. You will receive confirmation of the closure either immediately (in person or by phone) or within a few days (online), and you should keep that confirmation for your records.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-800-432-1000, visit a branch, or use online banking to request closure, but you must have a zero balance before the bank will close the account.
  • Withdraw or transfer all money out of the account at least one business day before you request closure to avoid delays.
  • If the account has a negative balance, you must pay what you owe before closure can happen.
  • Ask for written confirmation of the closure once it is complete, and keep that confirmation in case questions arise later.
  • Check your credit report after closure to make sure the account is reported as closed by the customer, not by the bank for non-payment.

Closing by phone is the fastest route for most people

Call Bank of America's main customer service line at 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your savings account. Have your account number ready—you can find it on your debit card, a recent statement, or in your online banking login. The representative will confirm your identity by asking for your Social Security number, date of birth, or answers to security questions you set up when you opened the account.

Before the representative will process the closure, they will ask whether your account has a zero balance. If it does not, they will tell you how much money is in the account and ask you to transfer or withdraw it. You can do this during the call if you have another Bank of America account to transfer to, or you can hang up, move the money yourself, and call back. Once the balance is zero, call back and the representative will close the account. The closure is usually effective immediately, though it may take one to three business days to stop appearing in your online banking.

Closing in person at a branch requires an ID and proof of the account

Walk into any Bank of America branch with a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card) and ask to close your savings account. Bring your debit card or a recent statement showing your account number. The teller will pull up your account and check the balance. If there is money in the account, they will ask how you want to handle it—you can withdraw cash, transfer to another account, or request a check.

If you have a negative balance, the teller will tell you the amount you owe and ask you to pay it before closure. You can pay with a debit card, another Bank of America account, or cash if you have it with you. Once the balance is zero and any debt is paid, the teller will process the closure. You will receive a receipt showing the account is closed. Keep this receipt for your records.

Online closure is available only for certain account types

Bank of America does not offer account closure through their website or mobile app for all account types. If you have a basic savings account with no outstanding issues, you may see a "close account" option in your online banking settings under Account Services or Account Management. Click that option, confirm your identity if prompted, and follow the on-screen steps. The system will not let you proceed if your account has a balance or a negative amount.

If you do not see a closure option online, or if your account type does not support it, you will need to call or visit a branch. Some accounts—such as those linked to investment products, those with pending transactions, or those flagged for fraud—cannot be closed online and require a phone call or in-person visit.

What happens to pending transactions and automatic payments

If you have automatic bill payments or recurring transfers set up from this savings account, you must cancel them before you close the account. Log into your online banking and go to the Transfers or Bill Pay section to turn off any scheduled payments. If you do not cancel them, the bank may reject the payments and charge you a fee, or the payments may bounce and cause problems with the companies you owe money to.

If you have a pending deposit or withdrawal that has not cleared yet, wait for it to complete before closing the account. Closing an account with pending transactions can delay the closure or cause the transaction to fail. Check your recent activity in online banking to see if anything is still processing, and wait at least one business day after the last transaction before you request closure.

After closure: what to expect and what to watch for

Once the account is closed, you will no longer be able to use any debit card or checks linked to it. If you have a Bank of America debit card that was tied only to this savings account, the card will stop working. If the card was linked to a checking account as well, it will continue to work for that account. Bank of America will send you a final statement showing the closure date and the last balance, which may arrive by mail or email depending on your preferences.

Keep this final statement for your tax records and as proof that the account is closed. If you ever need to dispute a charge or prove the account was closed on a certain date, this statement is your evidence. Check your credit report two to three months after closure to make sure the account appears as "closed by customer" rather than "closed by bank" or "closed due to inactivity." You can view your credit report free once per year at annualcreditreport.com. If the account is reported incorrectly, contact Bank of America's credit department to request a correction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my account if I have a negative balance?

No. You must pay the negative balance first. Call the bank or visit a branch to find out how much you owe, then pay it by debit card, check, or cash. Once the balance is zero, you can request closure.

What if I have a pending direct deposit that has not hit the account yet?

Wait for the deposit to clear before closing. If you close the account before the deposit arrives, it may be rejected and returned to your employer or the source. Check your account for at least one business day after you expect the deposit to confirm it has posted.

Do I need to close my debit card when I close the account?

Not separately. When you close the account, the debit card linked only to that account will stop working automatically. If the card is also linked to a checking account, it will continue to work for that account.

How long does it take for the closure to show up in my online banking?

The account usually disappears from your online banking within one to three business days after closure, though the representative or teller will confirm it is closed immediately. If it still appears after five business days, call customer service to confirm the closure went through.

Can I reopen the account after I close it?

No. Bank of America does not reactivate closed accounts. You can open a new savings account at any branch or online, and it will have a different account number.