Yes, you can add external accounts to Bank of America, and the process takes about five minutes

Bank of America lets you link bank accounts you hold at other institutions directly into your Bank of America online banking or mobile app. Once linked, you can see balances from those accounts, transfer money between them, and in some cases set up bill payments from the external account. The account you're adding must be a checking or savings account in your name at a U.S. bank.

The linking process happens entirely online. Bank of America uses Plaid, a third-party service that connects to thousands of banks, to verify your identity and confirm you own the external account. You'll enter your login credentials for the other bank once, and Plaid handles the verification without storing your password.

Key Takeaways

  • External accounts must be checking or savings accounts in your name at U.S. banks; you cannot link credit cards, investment accounts, or accounts held jointly with someone else.
  • Bank of America uses Plaid to verify ownership, which means you enter your external bank's login credentials once and Plaid confirms the account without storing your password.
  • The verification process typically completes within minutes, though some banks take up to 24 hours to confirm the connection.
  • Once linked, you can transfer money between your Bank of America account and the external account, and set up bill payments from either account.

What account types Bank of America will and won't link

Bank of America accepts checking and savings accounts from other banks, credit unions, and some online-only banks. The account must be in your name alone or in your name as a primary account holder. You cannot link accounts that are held jointly with another person, accounts in someone else's name, or accounts where you are a secondary or authorized user only.

You also cannot link credit cards, money market accounts, investment accounts, or retirement accounts like IRAs or 401(k)s. If you're trying to link a credit union account, confirm that the credit union participates in the Plaid network — most do, but some smaller or regional credit unions may not.

The step-by-step process for adding an external account

Start by logging into your Bank of America online banking or opening the mobile app. Look for a menu option labeled "Transfer" or "Accounts" — the exact location varies slightly between the website and app. Select "Add External Account" or "Link Account."

Bank of America will ask you to enter the name of the bank where the external account is held. Type the bank name and select it from the dropdown list. If your bank doesn't appear, it may not be available through Plaid, and you'll need to use Bank of America's manual verification method instead (see below).

Next, you'll be directed to Plaid's login screen. Enter your username and password for the external bank. Plaid connects to that bank, pulls your account information, and shows you a list of accounts you hold there. Select the account you want to link. Plaid then verifies that you own the account and returns you to Bank of America.

Bank of America will display the external account in your account list within minutes. You can when ready see the balance and recent transactions. Some banks take up to 24 hours to fully sync transaction history.

What to do if your bank isn't on the Plaid network

If your bank doesn't appear when you search, Bank of America offers a manual verification method. You'll provide your account number and routing number, and Bank of America will make two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to the external account. You then log into that account, find the deposit amounts, and enter them back into Bank of America to confirm ownership.

This process takes longer — typically three to five business days for the deposits to appear — but it works with nearly every U.S. bank. Once you've confirmed the amounts, the account is fully linked and functions the same way as accounts added through Plaid.

Transferring money between your Bank of America account and external accounts

Once an external account is linked, you can transfer money from your Bank of America account to the external account, or from the external account to Bank of America. Transfers initiated from Bank of America typically arrive within one to two business days, depending on the receiving bank's processing speed.

Transfers initiated from the external bank to Bank of America follow that bank's transfer rules and timelines. Some banks process transfers the same day; others take one to three business days. Bank of America cannot speed up a transfer that originates from another institution.

You can also set up bill payments from an external account if you've linked it to Bank of America. This is useful if you want to pay bills from a different bank without logging into that bank separately. The bill payment follows Bank of America's bill pay schedule, not the external bank's.

Security considerations when linking external accounts

Bank of America never sees your password for the external account. Plaid collects your login credentials, verifies the account, and then deletes the credentials — it doesn't store them. Your Bank of America login and the external account login remain separate and independent.

If you're concerned about security, you can unlink an external account at any time through the same menu where you added it. Unlinking removes the connection but does not affect the external account itself or any money in it.

Be cautious if you're adding an account at a bank where you also have a credit card or loan. Linking the checking or savings account does not give Bank of America access to credit card or loan information — only the account you explicitly link.

Removing or updating a linked external account

To remove a linked account, go to the Accounts or Transfer section of your Bank of America online banking or app, find the external account in your list, and select "Remove" or "Unlink." The account disappears from your Bank of America profile when ready, but the account itself and any money in it remain untouched at the other bank.

If your login credentials for the external bank change — for example, if you reset your password — you don't need to re-add the account. The link remains active. However, if the external bank changes its security requirements or Plaid loses the connection, Bank of America may ask you to re-verify the account by logging in again through Plaid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I link a joint account or an account in someone else's name?

No. Bank of America only links accounts in your name alone or accounts where you are the primary account holder. If you're an authorized user or the account is held jointly, you cannot link it through this process.

What if I forget the password for my external bank account?

Reset your password at the external bank's website or app before attempting to link the account. You'll need the correct credentials to complete the Plaid verification. Once the account is linked, changing your external bank password later does not break the connection.

How long does it take for transfers to show up?

Transfers from Bank of America to an external account typically arrive within one to two business days. Transfers from an external account to Bank of America depend on that bank's processing speed and may take one to three business days. Weekend and holiday transfers may take longer.

Can I link accounts at multiple banks?

Yes. You can link as many external accounts as you need, as long as each one is in your name and at a participating bank. There is no stated limit on the number of external accounts you can add.

What happens if I close the external account?

If you close the account at the other bank, the link in Bank of America becomes inactive. Bank of America will eventually remove it from your account list, but you can also manually unlink it when ready. No money is transferred or affected when you unlink an account.