You can open a Bank of America account online in about 10 minutes, or in a branch with an ID and initial deposit

Bank of America offers two main routes: online through their website or mobile app, which takes roughly 10 minutes and requires no branch visit, or in person at a local branch, which lets you hand over cash or a check as your opening deposit. Both paths require you to be at least 18 years old, have a valid government-issued ID, and provide a Social Security number or ITIN. The online route is faster if you already have another bank account to link for verification; the in-person route works if you want to deposit cash when ready or prefer talking through options with someone at the branch.

Your account becomes active when ready after opening, whether you choose online or in-person. You can transfer money in, set up direct deposit, and pay bills before your debit card arrives. The card itself takes 7 to 10 business days to reach you by mail, though some branches issue it on the spot.

Key Takeaways

  • Online account opening takes about 10 minutes and requires a valid ID, Social Security number, and an existing bank account to verify your identity.
  • In-person opening at a branch requires the same ID and Social Security number, plus an initial deposit (cash, check, or transfer) and takes 15 to 30 minutes.
  • Bank of America offers checking, savings, and money market accounts with different monthly fees, minimum balances, and interest rates depending on the account type.
  • You can set up direct deposit, bill pay, and mobile banking when ready after opening, whether you open online or in branch.

Opening an Account Online Through Bank of America's Website

Go to bankofamerica.com and click "Open an Account" or use the Bank of America mobile app. You will be asked to choose an account type—checking, savings, or money market—and enter your personal information: full name, date of birth, address, phone number, email, and Social Security number or ITIN. Bank of America will run a soft credit check and verify your identity by asking questions based on your credit history or by connecting to an existing bank account you own.

Once your identity is verified, you will set up online login credentials (username and password) and choose your account settings: overdraft protection, alerts, and whether you want a debit card. Bank of America will mail your debit card to your address within 7 to 10 business days. Your account is live when ready, so you can set up direct deposit or transfer money in before the card arrives. There is no minimum opening deposit for online accounts, though some account types have monthly maintenance fees unless you meet balance or direct deposit requirements.

Opening an Account In Person at a Branch

Find your nearest Bank of America branch using their branch locator on bankofamerica.com or by calling 1-800-432-1000. Bring a valid government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), your Social Security number, and your initial deposit. The deposit can be cash, a check, or a transfer from another bank account—there is no set minimum, though some accounts waive monthly fees only if you maintain a certain balance.

A Bank of America representative will walk you through the account type options, explain the monthly fees and requirements for each, and help you complete the paperwork. You will set up your online login and debit card on the spot. Your debit card will be issued when ready in some branches (you can use it the same day) or mailed within 7 to 10 business days, depending on the branch and account type. The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Account Types and What Each One Costs

Bank of America's most common personal accounts are Advantage Checking, Advantage Plus Checking, and Savings. Advantage Checking has a $12 monthly maintenance fee unless you maintain a $1,500 minimum balance, receive direct deposits, or set up a may have access to linked savings account. Advantage Plus Checking costs $15 per month but waives the fee if you maintain $2,000 or keep a linked savings account with $500. Both checking accounts come with a debit card, online and mobile banking, and bill pay at no extra charge.

The Savings account has no monthly fee and earns interest, though the rate changes based on Federal Reserve decisions and your balance tier. Money Market accounts require higher opening deposits (typically $2,500) and offer higher interest rates in exchange. Bank of America also offers student checking (no monthly fee if you are under 24 and a full-time student) and senior accounts with reduced fees. Compare the options at the branch or on their website before you open, because switching account types later is possible but requires a separate request.

What Happens After Your Account Opens

Your account is ready to use when ready, even if your debit card has not arrived yet. You can transfer money in from another bank account, set up direct deposit through your employer, and pay bills online using your account number and routing number. Bank of America's routing number for most accounts is 026009593, though some regions use different numbers—check your account details online or call 1-800-432-1000 to confirm.

read the Bank of America mobile app to check your balance, deposit checks by taking a photo, send money to other people through Zelle, and set up alerts for low balances or large transactions. You can also visit any Bank of America branch or ATM to withdraw cash or deposit checks once your account is open. If you need a second debit card, a replacement card, or want to change your account settings, you can do all of that through the mobile app or by calling customer service.

Common Reasons Your Online process Might Be Declined

Bank of America may decline your online process if you cannot be verified through your credit history or linked bank account, if you have a history of unpaid bank fees or fraud, or if there is a discrepancy between the information you provided and what appears in their records. If your process is declined, you will receive an email explaining the reason. You can usually reapply after 30 days, or you can visit a branch in person with your ID and Social Security number—in-person applications have a higher approval rate because the representative can verify your identity directly.

If you do not have a Social Security number, you can use an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) issued by the IRS. You will need to bring the ITIN document to a branch and may face additional verification steps. If you are under 18, you will need a parent or guardian to open a joint account with you; Bank of America offers teen checking accounts that let a minor use the account with parental oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do I need to open a Bank of America account?

There is no minimum opening deposit for online accounts. For in-person accounts, you can open with any amount, though some account types waive monthly fees only if you maintain a certain balance afterward (usually $1,500 to $2,500 depending on the account). You can deposit as little as $1 to meet the opening requirement.

Can I open an account if I have had problems with another bank?

Bank of America checks ChexSystems, a banking history database, during the process process. If you have unpaid fees, fraud, or multiple closed accounts, your process may be declined. You can request your ChexSystems report for free at chexsystems.com to see what is on file. If there is an error, you can dispute it directly with ChexSystems.

How long does it take to receive my debit card?

Debit cards mailed after online or in-person opening typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days. Some branches issue cards when ready in person. You can use your account number and routing number to transfer money or set up direct deposit before your card arrives.

What is the difference between opening online and opening in a branch?

Online opening is faster (about 10 minutes) and requires no visit, but you need an existing bank account for identity verification. In-person opening takes longer (15 to 30 minutes) but lets you deposit cash when ready and talk through account options with a representative. Both result in the same account types and features.

Can I open multiple accounts at Bank of America?

Yes. You can open a checking account, a savings account, and a money market account all under the same Social Security number. Each account has its own monthly fee structure and balance requirements, so you can choose which ones to maintain based on your needs.