You can add another bank account to your Bank of America profile in about five minutes using the online banking portal or the mobile app
Bank of America lets you link accounts held at other banks so you can move money between them without leaving your Bank of America dashboard. The process is the same whether the external account is a checking account, savings account, or money market account. You will need the routing number and account number of the external bank, and Bank of America will verify the connection by depositing two small amounts into that account — you then confirm the deposits to prove you own it.
The entire setup takes about five minutes, but the verification step can take one to two business days. Once verified, you can transfer money to or from the external account when ready, and the transfer typically settles within one to three business days depending on the other bank's processing speed.
Key Takeaways
- You need the routing number and account number of the external bank to start the linking process.
- Bank of America verifies new external accounts by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) that you must confirm within 10 days.
- The verification step takes one to two business days, but you can transfer money as soon as the two deposits appear in the external account.
- Once linked, external accounts stay in your Bank of America profile until you remove them, and you can link up to 25 external accounts per profile.
Finding the external account linking tool in Bank of America online banking
Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com and select the account you want to transfer from or to. In the left navigation menu, look for "Transfer funds" or "Transfers & payments." Click on "Add external account" or "Link account" — the exact wording varies depending on whether you are using the classic or newer version of the Bank of America website.
If you are using the Bank of America mobile app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, then select "Transfers," then "Add external account." The mobile app path is usually faster if you have the account numbers in front of you.
Entering the external account information
Bank of America will ask for the name of the bank where the external account is held, the account type (checking, savings, or money market), the routing number, and the account number. The routing number is a nine-digit code specific to each bank branch; you can find it on a check from that account, or by searching the bank's name and "routing number" online. The account number is printed on checks or statements, or you can log into that bank's website to find it.
Enter the account holder's name exactly as it appears on the external account. If the name does not match the name on your Bank of America account, the verification step may fail. Bank of America will ask you to confirm the information before moving to the next step — double-check the routing and account numbers here, because an error will cause the verification deposits to go to the wrong account.
Waiting for and confirming the verification deposits
After you submit the account information, Bank of America deposits two small amounts (usually between 1 and 99 cents each) into the external account. These deposits appear within one to two business days. You do not need to do anything while you wait — just check the external account periodically.
Once both deposits show up, return to Bank of America's "Add external account" section and enter the two deposit amounts. Bank of America verifies that the amounts match and confirms that you own the external account. You have 10 days to complete this step; if you do not confirm within 10 days, you will need to start the linking process over.
What happens after the account is verified
Once verified, the external account appears in your Bank of America transfer list and stays there until you remove it. You can now transfer money to or from that account using Bank of America's standard transfer tools. Transfers typically take one to three business days to settle, depending on the other bank's processing speed — some banks process transfers faster than others.
The external account will remain linked even if you do not use it. If you want to remove it later, go back to the transfer settings, find the account in your list, and select "Remove" or "Delete." Removing an account does not affect any transfers that are already in progress.
Limits on how many accounts you can link and how much you can transfer
You can link up to 25 external accounts to a single Bank of America profile. There is no stated limit on how much you can transfer in a single transaction, but Bank of America monitors large transfers for fraud. If you move a very large amount to a newly linked account, Bank of America may place a temporary hold or contact you to verify the transfer is legitimate.
Daily transfer limits vary by account type and your account history with Bank of America. If you hit a limit, Bank of America will tell you when you attempt the transfer. You can request a higher limit by calling customer service, though approval is not may provide.
Troubleshooting common problems when linking an account
If the verification deposits do not appear after two business days, the routing or account number may be incorrect. Check both numbers against a recent statement or the external bank's website. If the numbers are correct, contact the external bank to confirm the account is active and can receive transfers.
If you confirm the deposit amounts but Bank of America says they do not match, the amounts you entered may have been slightly different from what was actually deposited. Check the external account statement carefully — sometimes a bank rounds or adjusts small deposits. If the amounts truly do not match, you will need to start the linking process over.
If you see an error message saying the account cannot be linked, the external account may be held in a different name than your Bank of America account, or the account may be flagged as inactive. Contact the external bank to confirm the account is active, then try linking again with the exact name on that account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money before the verification deposits are confirmed?
No. You must confirm the two verification deposits before the account is active for transfers. However, once both deposits appear in the external account (which usually takes one to two business days), you can confirm them when ready and start transferring the same day.
What if the external account is at a credit union instead of a bank?
The process is the same. You will need the credit union's routing number and your account number. Credit unions process transfers the same way as banks, though some may take slightly longer to settle.
Do I have to link the account to transfer money to it?
No. You can send a wire transfer or ACH transfer to any account without linking it first. Linking is useful if you plan to transfer regularly, because it saves you from entering the account details each time.
What if I link an account by mistake and want to remove it?
Go to your transfer settings, find the account in your linked accounts list, and select "Remove" or "Delete." The account is removed when ready and will no longer appear in your transfer options.
Can someone else use my linked external accounts?
Only if they have access to your Bank of America login. If you share your Bank of America account with another person, they can see and use all linked external accounts. If you want to restrict access, you can set up user permissions or remove the account from the shared profile.