The steps to close a Bank of America savings account
You can close a Bank of America savings account in three ways: by phone, in person at a branch, or by mail. The fastest route is calling Bank of America's customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and asking to close your savings account — they will walk you through it in about ten minutes. If you prefer to close it in person, bring a photo ID to any Bank of America branch and tell a representative you want to close the account. By mail, you write a letter to the address on your account statement, include your account number and signature, and mail it in — this takes longer because the bank has to receive and process the letter.
Before you close the account, withdraw or transfer any remaining balance. Bank of America will not close an account with money in it. If you have pending transactions or automatic deposits scheduled, cancel those first — the bank may delay closing if funds are expected to arrive. Once the account is empty and closed, you will not be able to use the debit card or access the account online.
Key Takeaways
- You can close your savings account by phone at 1-800-432-1000, in person at a branch with photo ID, or by mail with a signed letter.
- The account must have a zero balance before Bank of America will close it, so withdraw or transfer all remaining money first.
- Cancel any automatic deposits or scheduled transfers before closing, because pending transactions can delay the closure.
- Closing takes a few minutes by phone or in person, but can take one to two weeks by mail.
- After closure, you will lose access to the account and cannot reopen the same account number.
Withdrawing your money before closing
Bank of America will not process a closure request if your account still holds money. You have two options: withdraw the full balance in cash at a branch, or transfer it to another account. If you are closing because you want to move your savings elsewhere, transferring is simpler — you can do this online through your Bank of America account by linking the receiving bank and moving the funds electronically. This usually takes one to three business days.
If you withdraw in cash, bring your debit card and photo ID to a branch. You can withdraw up to the full balance in one visit. If your balance is very large, call ahead to make sure the branch has enough cash on hand. Once the money is out, the account balance will show zero and you can proceed with closing.
Closing by phone
Calling Bank of America customer service is the fastest way to close your account. Dial 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your savings account. Have your account number ready — it is on your debit card, your statements, or in your online banking profile. The representative will confirm your identity by asking for your Social Security number or other personal details, verify the account balance is zero, and then process the closure.
The representative will ask why you are closing and may offer you options to keep the account open. You do not have to explain your reason, and you can decline any offers. Once you confirm you want to close, the account will be closed when ready. You will receive a confirmation number — write this down in case you need to reference the closure later.
Closing in person at a branch
Walk into any Bank of America branch with your photo ID and debit card. Tell a representative you want to close your savings account. They will pull up your account, confirm the balance is zero, and ask you to sign a closure form. This takes about five to ten minutes. You will receive a receipt showing the account is closed.
Closing in person is useful if you have questions about your account history, want to make sure there are no pending holds or transactions, or prefer to speak face-to-face. If you do not have a debit card, bring two forms of ID instead. The branch can close the account on the spot, and you will walk out with proof of closure.
Closing by mail
Write a letter to Bank of America requesting closure of your savings account. Include your full name, account number, the date, and your signature. Keep the letter brief — one or two sentences is enough. Address it to the mailing address shown on your account statement or on the back of your debit card. Mail it in a regular envelope with a stamp.
Bank of America typically receives mail within three to five business days and processes closures within one to two weeks after that. You will not receive a phone call or email confirming closure — the account will straightforward stop appearing in your online banking profile. If you want written confirmation, include a note asking the bank to send you a letter. This method is slower than phone or in-person closure, so use it only if you cannot reach a branch or phone line.
What happens to your debit card after closure
Once your savings account is closed, your debit card linked to that account will no longer work. You do not need to do anything special — the card will straightforward be declined if you try to use it. If you want to destroy the card to prevent accidental use, you can cut it up and throw it away. Bank of America does not require you to return it.
If you have a checking account with Bank of America in addition to the savings account, closing the savings account will not affect your checking account or its debit card. Only the savings account closes. If you are closing both accounts, you will need to close them separately or mention both when you call customer service.
Canceling automatic deposits and transfers before closing
If you have automatic deposits going into your savings account — such as a paycheck transfer or a monthly contribution — cancel these before you close the account. Log into your Bank of America online banking, go to the Transfers section, and delete any recurring transfers to this account. If you have direct deposit from your employer set to this account, contact your employer's payroll department and change the deposit to a different account.
Automatic transfers out of the account should also be canceled. If you have a bill pay set to withdraw from this savings account, or a recurring transfer to another bank, stop these transfers before closing. If you close the account while transfers are still scheduled, the bank may hold the closure until the transfers process, or the transfers may fail and create confusion with the receiving institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen the same savings account after closing it?
No. Once Bank of America closes an account, that account number is retired and cannot be reopened. If you want a savings account again, you will have to open a new account with a new account number. This usually takes a few minutes online or in a branch.
What if my account has a negative balance?
Contact Bank of America when ready. A negative balance means you owe the bank money. You must pay the amount owed before the account can be closed. Call 1-800-432-1000 or visit a branch to find out the exact amount and arrange payment.
Will closing my savings account hurt my credit score?
No. Closing a savings account does not affect your credit score because savings accounts are not reported to credit bureaus. Only credit accounts like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit impact your credit. Closing a savings account is a straightforward account management action with no credit consequences.
How long does it take to close the account by phone?
Closing by phone usually takes ten to fifteen minutes. The representative will verify your identity, confirm your balance is zero, and process the closure while you are on the call. You will receive a confirmation number when ready.
Do I need to close the account in person if I have a large balance?
No. You can transfer a large balance online to another bank, or withdraw it in cash at a branch over multiple visits if you prefer. Once the balance is zero, you can close the account by any method — phone, mail, or in person. The size of the balance does not require you to close in person.