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So, you're looking to expand your financial horizons with Bank of America, perhaps by adding a new checking account, a dedicated savings fund, or even linking an external account from another institution. That's a smart move! Having multiple accounts, especially within the same bank, can streamline your finances, help you achieve specific savings goals, or even provide overdraft protection.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various ways to add another Bank of America account, step-by-step, ensuring you have all the information you need. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Assess Your Needs – What Kind of Account Are You Looking For?
Before you start clicking around online or heading to a financial center, let's get clear on what kind of account you actually want to add. This will dictate the most efficient path forward. Are you looking to:
- Open a new Bank of America Checking or Savings Account? This is for those who want a brand new account entirely within Bank of America's ecosystem.
- Link an Existing Bank of America Account to your Online Banking Profile? Sometimes, if you opened an account separately (e.g., in person, or an older account), it might not automatically appear in your online banking.
- Add an External Bank Account (from another bank) for Transfers? This is for those who want to easily move money between their Bank of America accounts and accounts they hold at different financial institutions.
Once you've identified your goal, proceed to the relevant step below!
Step 2: Opening a New Bank of America Checking or Savings Account
If you're looking to open a brand new account with Bank of America, you have a few convenient options.
Sub-Step 2.1: Opening Online (The Quickest Way for Most)
This is often the easiest and fastest method if you're comfortable with online applications.
- Visit the Bank of America Website: Go to the official Bank of America website (bankofamerica.com).
- Navigate to Accounts: Look for sections like "Checking Accounts" or "Savings Accounts" under a "Products" or "Accounts" menu.
- Browse Account Options: Bank of America offers various checking and savings account options, such as:
- Bank of America Advantage Banking (various tiers like SafeBalance Banking, Plus Banking, Relationship Banking) for checking.
- Bank of America Advantage Savings for savings.
- They also have specialized accounts for students, kids, and small businesses.
- Tip: Carefully review the features, minimum balance requirements, and any associated fees for each account to ensure it aligns with your financial habits and goals.
- Select Your Desired Account and Click "Open Now" or "Apply Online": Once you've chosen the account that best suits your needs, click the prominent button to start the application.
- Provide Personal Information: You'll be prompted to enter your personal details, which typically include:
- Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax ID Number (TIN)
- Your current residential address
- Your email address
- Your date of birth
- For joint accounts: You'll need the co-applicant's information as well.
- Verify Your Identity: Bank of America will likely use various methods to verify your identity. This might involve:
- Answering security questions.
- Receiving a one-time authorization code via text message or email that you'll need to enter.
- If you're an existing customer, they might verify with your existing account or debit card details.
- Choose Features & Funding Options: During the application, you'll select various features for your new account and how you wish to make your initial deposit.
- Funding Options: You can typically fund a new account by transferring money from an existing Bank of America account, another bank account, or even using a debit card, check, or money order.
- Review and Submit: Thoroughly review all the information you've provided before submitting your application. Look for any errors or omissions.
- Confirmation: You'll receive an email confirming your application submission and a follow-up email once it's approved. Account documents will typically be mailed within 7-10 business days.
Sub-Step 2.2: Opening in Person at a Financial Center
If you prefer a more personal touch, or have complex questions, visiting a Bank of America financial center is a great option.
- Locate a Financial Center: Use the "Locations" or "Find a Financial Center" tool on the Bank of America website to find the nearest branch.
- Schedule an Appointment (Recommended): While walk-ins are often accepted, scheduling an appointment ensures you won't have a long wait and that a specialist will be available to assist you.
- Gather Necessary Documents: To open an account in person, you'll typically need:
- Primary Photo ID: A valid government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's license, passport).
- Secondary ID (sometimes required): Another form of ID, such as a major debit or credit card.
- Proof of U.S. Residency: A utility bill, rental agreement, or similar document showing your name and U.S. physical address.
- Your Social Security Number (SSN).
- Initial deposit funds (cash, check, or transfer information from another account).
- For joint accounts: All account owners will need to be present with their respective IDs.
- Meet with a Specialist: A Bank of America representative will guide you through the account opening process, explain the different account types, and help you complete the necessary paperwork. Don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have about fees, features, or linking services.
Sub-Step 2.3: Opening by Phone
For those who prefer to speak with someone but can't visit a branch, opening an account over the phone is also an option.
- Call Bank of America Customer Service: Dial 1-800-432-1000 (Consumer Accounts) or the relevant number for business accounts if applicable.
- State Your Intent: Inform the representative that you wish to open a new checking or savings account.
- Follow Instructions: The representative will guide you through the application process, asking for the necessary personal and financial information. Be prepared to provide the same details as you would for an online application.
- Confirm Details: Double-check all the information provided before finalizing the application over the phone.
Step 3: Linking an Existing Bank of America Account to Your Online Banking Profile
Sometimes, if you already have multiple Bank of America accounts, but they aren't all showing up in your online banking, you might need to link them. Typically, when you first set up your Online/Mobile ID, all eligible Bank of America accounts are automatically linked. If you open a new eligible account later, it should also link automatically. However, if not, here's what to do:
- Log In to Bank of America Online Banking: Go to bankofamerica.com and log in with your User ID and Password.
- Navigate to Account Settings or Profile: Look for a section like "Profile & Settings," "Account Management," or "Information & Services." The exact wording might vary slightly.
- Look for Account Linking Options: Within these sections, you might find an option to "Link Accounts," "Add an Account," or a similar phrase.
- Verify and Confirm: The system may prompt you to confirm your identity or enter details of the unlinked account. Follow the on-screen instructions.
- Contact Customer Service if Needed: If you cannot find the option to link an existing Bank of America account yourself, the easiest solution is to call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000. They can often link your accounts over the phone after verifying your identity. Be sure to have the account numbers handy for the accounts you want linked.
Step 4: Adding an External Bank Account for Transfers (from Another Bank)
This process is for when you want to easily transfer money between your Bank of America accounts and an account you hold at a different financial institution.
- Log In to Bank of America Online Banking: Access your online banking at bankofamerica.com.
- Navigate to the "Bill Pay" or "Transfers" Section: Look for a tab or menu option that says "Bill Pay," "Transfers," or "Payments & Transfers."
- Find "Manage Accounts" or "Add/Edit Accounts from Other Banks": Within the Bill Pay or Transfers section, you should see an option to "Manage Pay To/Pay From Accounts," "Add/Edit Accounts from Other Banks," or "Add an External Account."
- Select "Add Account" or "Add a Pay From Account you Own at Another Institution": Click the button or link to add a new external account.
- Enter External Account Details: You will need the following information for the external account:
- Bank Name
- Routing Number (the 9-digit number that identifies the financial institution)
- Account Number (your specific checking or savings account number at the other bank)
- Account Type (Checking or Savings)
- Verify the External Account (Micro-Deposit Verification): For security purposes, Bank of America will likely use a "micro-deposit" verification process.
- They will make two small, random deposits (usually less than $1.00 each) into your external account within 1-3 business days.
- You will need to log in to your external bank account's online banking to find these two small deposit amounts.
- Once you have those amounts, return to your Bank of America online banking.
- Confirm Micro-Deposit Amounts: Go back to the "Manage Accounts" or "Add External Account" section in Bank of America online banking. You'll be prompted to enter the two exact micro-deposit amounts.
- Account Linked! Once you successfully enter the correct amounts, your external account will be linked and ready for transfers.
Step 5: Verifying and Managing Your Newly Added Accounts
Once you've completed any of the above steps, it's crucial to verify that your accounts are properly linked and accessible.
- Log In to Online Banking: Always log in to your Bank of America online banking.
- Check Account Summary: On your main account summary page, you should now see your newly added or linked account(s).
- Initiate a Small Test Transfer (Optional but Recommended): To ensure everything is working correctly, consider initiating a small test transfer (e.g., $1.00) between your accounts. If it's an external account, remember that transfers might take 1-3 business days to process.
- Review Account Details: Click on the newly added account to review its details, transactions, and available features.
- Set Up Alerts (Highly Recommended): For any new account, set up alerts for important activities like low balances, large transactions, or deposits. This can be done in the "Alerts" or "Profile & Settings" section of your online banking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions related to adding Bank of America accounts, with quick answers:
How to: Check if my new Bank of America account is linked to my online banking?
- Log in to your Bank of America online banking, and your account dashboard should display all linked accounts.
How to: Add a joint owner to an existing Bank of America account?
- You'll need to visit a Bank of America financial center with the person you wish to add as a joint owner, and both parties must bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
How to: Find my Bank of America account number for linking purposes?
- Your account number can be found on your checks, bank statements, or by logging into your online banking and viewing the account details.
How to: Avoid fees on a new Bank of America checking account?
- Bank of America offers various ways to waive monthly maintenance fees, such as maintaining a minimum daily balance, having qualifying direct deposits, or enrolling in Preferred Rewards. Check the specific account's terms.
How to: Transfer money between my linked Bank of America accounts?
- Log in to online banking, navigate to "Transfers," select the "from" and "to" accounts, enter the amount, and confirm the transfer.
How to: Remove an external bank account linked for transfers?
- Log in to online banking, go to "Bill Pay" or "Transfers," find "Manage Accounts" or "Add/Edit Accounts from Other Banks," and locate the option to remove or unlink the external account.
How to: Get help if I'm having trouble linking an account online?
- Contact Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000 for assistance. They can often troubleshoot issues or manually link accounts after verifying your identity.
How to: Know if an external account has been successfully verified?
- After the micro-deposit verification, Bank of America will usually send a confirmation email, and the external account will appear as "Active" or "Verified" in your online banking's linked accounts section.
How to: Open a Bank of America savings account specifically for a child?
- Bank of America offers specific accounts like the SafeBalance® for Family Banking, which can be opened by a parent with parental controls. You can apply online or in a financial center.
How to: Apply for a new Bank of America credit card and link it to my existing banking profile?
- You can apply for a credit card online through the Bank of America website. Once approved, it will generally be automatically linked to your existing online banking profile.
