
Opening a Bank of America personal account is a straightforward process that can be completed online or in-person. You can start by visiting the Bank of America website and clicking on the "Open an Account" button.
To open an account, you'll need to provide some basic personal and financial information, such as your name, address, and social security number.
The minimum opening deposit for a Bank of America checking account is $25, but you can open an account with no deposit required if you're a student or have a direct deposit set up.
You can choose from a variety of account options, including Advantage Plus Checking and Advantage Relationship Checking, which offer rewards and benefits for frequent banking customers.
Cost and Fees
Opening a Bank of America account is free, with no application fee to worry about.
However, you will need to meet the minimum opening deposit requirements, which range from $25 for the Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking checking account to $1,000 or more for Bank of America CDs.
The Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking account requires a $25 minimum opening deposit and a monthly maintenance fee of $4.95.
You can waive the $4.95 monthly fee by meeting one of the following requirements each statement cycle: being a Preferred Rewards client, being a student under age 25 enrolled in high school or a college program, or maintaining a minimum daily balance of $500 or more in your account.
Bank of America has over 16,000 fee-free ATMs, but if you use a non-Bank of America ATM, you'll be charged $2.50 per U.S. transaction or $5 for each foreign country transaction.
The ATM operator may also charge an additional fee, so it's worth considering the fees associated with non-Bank of America ATMs before making frequent withdrawals.
Opening and Funding
To open a Bank of America personal account, you'll need to provide your personal information and two forms of identification. Acceptable primary forms of ID include a driver's license, state-issued ID with photo, U.S. passport, military ID with photo, and Bank of America-branded debit or credit card with photo.
You can apply online, by phone, or in-person at a local branch. To apply online, head to Bank of America's website and click the "open an account" button. If you're applying in-person, you can schedule an appointment online or by calling the bank at 800-432-1000.
Once you've applied, it will take one to two business days to process your application. You can then make your initial deposit by transferring money from another account, depositing cash or check at a Bank of America branch, mailing a check or money order, or using a debit card. The minimum initial deposit and ongoing balance requirements vary depending on the account you choose.
What Do You Need?
To open a Bank of America account, you'll need to gather the necessary information and documents. If you're a US permanent resident or citizen, you can often apply online with just a few pieces of information.
To start, you'll need to be at least 18 years old and a legal US resident. This is a requirement for opening a Bank of America account, and it's essential to meet this criteria before proceeding.
You'll also need to provide your Social Security number, which is a crucial piece of information for opening a bank account. This is a standard requirement across most banks, including Bank of America.
In addition to your Social Security number, you'll need to provide a valid ID, such as a driver's license, passport, or state-issued ID. Bank of America accepts a range of identification documents, including some that might not be immediately obvious.
Here are some examples of acceptable primary forms of ID:
- Driver’s license
- State-issued ID with photo
- U.S. passport
- Military ID with photo
- Bank of America-branded debit or credit card with photo
If you have a joint account holder, you'll need to provide their personal information as well. This includes their current mailing address, Social Security number, email address, and account number (if they have an existing checking account).
It's worth noting that these requirements may change without prior notice, so it's always a good idea to check the Bank of America website for the most up-to-date information.
Make Your Deposit
To make your deposit, you'll need to choose a method that works for you. You can transfer money from another bank account, transfer money from an existing Bank of America account, deposit cash or check at a branch, mail in a check or money order, or use a debit card.
The minimum initial deposit varies depending on the account type, with the Advantage Checking account requiring a $100 minimum opening deposit and the SafeBalance account requiring just $25.
You can set up a transfer from your current bank account by phone, on your computer, or on a mobile device. You'll need to provide the bank account number or debit card number that you'll be using to transfer funds to your new Bank of America account.
Acceptable forms of ID to provide at a local branch include a driver's license, passport, or state ID. You'll also need to provide two forms of ID if you're not funding your account with cash or a check.
Here are some options for making your initial deposit:
- Transfer money from an account you have at another bank
- Transfer money from an existing Bank of America account
- Deposit cash or check at a Bank of America branch
- Mail in a check or money order
- Use a debit card
Choose What's Best for You
To choose the right Bank of America account for you, start by deciding which deposit account type is the best fit. Bank of America offers a standard savings account with a low monthly maintenance fee that's easy to waive by meeting certain requirements.
You can also consider opening a Bank of America Standard CD, which comes with terms ranging from six months to five years. Alternatively, you might opt for a promotional CD with higher APYs, but be aware that it has higher minimum deposit requirements.
There are also three types of Bank of America Advantage Banking checking accounts: SafeBalance Banking, Plus Banking, and Relationship Banking. The SafeBalance Banking account has zero overdraft fees and a large ATM network, but it's designed for those who don't need to make large transactions.
Here are the main account types you can consider:
- Bank of America Advantage Savings: A standard savings account with a low monthly maintenance fee
- Bank of America Standard CD: A CD with terms ranging from six months to five years
- Bank of America Featured CD: A promotional CD with higher APYs and higher minimum deposit requirements
- Bank of America Advantage Banking: A checking account product with three varieties: SafeBalance Banking, Plus Banking, and Relationship Banking
If you have a high balance in your checking account, you might want to consider the Bank of America Advantage Relationship Banking account, which offers interest and perks such as service fee waivers and free incoming domestic wires. However, if you don't meet the balance requirements, you'll have to pay a $25 monthly service fee.
Account Features and Benefits
Bank of America offers two main checking account types: Advantage SafeBalance Banking and Advantage Plus Banking. Advantage SafeBalance Banking has a $4.95 monthly service fee that's waived for anyone under 25 and Preferred Rewards members.
You can open an Advantage SafeBalance Banking account without meeting a large minimum balance requirement. The account is also "checkless", meaning you won't be able to write paper checks.
The monthly service fee for Advantage Plus Banking is $12, but it's waived if you have a monthly $250 direct deposit, maintain a $1,500 minimum daily balance, or enroll in the Preferred Rewards program.
With Advantage SafeBalance Banking, you can earn cash back with BankAmeriDeals, offers apply to participating stores and restaurants, and activation is required to benefit from each deal.
Zelle is integrated directly into Bank of America's Mobile Banking app, allowing you to send and receive money within minutes. There are over 16,000 fee-free Bank of America ATMs.
You can access your money quickly and easily with Mobile check deposit, which allows you to take a photo of a check and deposit it using Bank of America's Mobile Banking app. Lock and unlock your card, halting most new transactions if your card is stolen, lost or misplaced.
Here are some key features and benefits of Bank of America's checking accounts:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get $300 from Bank of America?
To get $300 from Bank of America, open a qualifying Advantage Plus account with offer code LHR300CIS and set up direct deposit with at least $2,000 in deposits within 90 days. This offer requires meeting specific conditions, so review the details carefully.
Sources
- https://www.fool.com/money/banks/reviews/bank-of-america-review/how-to-open/
- https://wise.com/us/blog/open-bank-of-america-account
- https://www.gobankingrates.com/banking/checking-account/how-open-bank-america-checking-account/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/bank-of-america-advantage-safebalance-banking-checking-account-review/
- https://wallethub.com/answers/ca/how-much-money-do-you-need-to-open-a-bank-of-america-account-2140765021/
Featured Images: pexels.com