In today's financial landscape, understanding your credit score is more crucial than ever. It's not just a number; it's a reflection of your financial health, influencing everything from loan approvals and interest rates to housing applications and even some employment opportunities. If you're a Bank of America customer, you're in luck! They offer a convenient way to check your FICO® Score for free.
Ready to take control of your financial understanding? Let's dive into how you can easily check your Bank of America credit score.
How to Check Your Bank of America Credit Score: A Step-by-Step Guide
Bank of America provides its eligible credit card customers with free access to their FICO® Score 8, which is based on data from TransUnion. This is a valuable tool that can help you monitor your credit health without any negative impact.
 |
| How To Check Bank Of America Credit Score |
Step 1: Engage with Your Bank of America Account – Online or Mobile!
Are you already an online banking or mobile app user with Bank of America? Excellent! That's your first step to unlocking your credit score.
- If you're already registered for Bank of America Online Banking or use the Mobile App: You're ahead of the game! Simply proceed to Step 2.
- If you're not yet registered: Don't worry, it's quick and easy.
- For Online Banking: Visit the Bank of America website and look for the "Enroll" or "Sign Up" option for Online Banking. You'll need your account information to set it up.
- For the Mobile App: Download the "Bank of America Mobile Banking" app from your device's app store (Google Play Store for Android or Apple App Store for iOS). Once downloaded, follow the prompts to enroll or log in.
Step 2: Log In to Your Bank of America Account
Now that you have your access squared away, it's time to log in:
Tip: Skim once, study twice.
- Via Online Banking: Go to the Bank of America website (bankofamerica.com) and enter your User ID and Passcode in the "Sign In" section.
- Via the Mobile App: Open the Bank of America Mobile Banking app on your smartphone or tablet and enter your credentials. Many users also leverage features like fingerprint or facial recognition for quicker access.
Step 3: Navigate to the FICO® Score Section
Once you're logged in, you'll need to find the dedicated section for your credit score. Bank of America makes this quite straightforward.
- In Online Banking: Look for a section often labeled “Tools & Investing” or “Services.” Within this, you should find a clear link or tab for “FICO® Score.”
- In the Mobile App: Similarly, within the app's menu or dashboard, search for “FICO® Score” or a similar credit-related option. The app often has a prominent display for it.
Step 4: Enroll in the FICO® Score Program (If You Haven't Already)
For first-time users, you might see a prompt to enroll in the FICO® Score Program. This is a one-time step to grant Bank of America permission to retrieve and display your score.
- Review the Terms and Conditions: Before proceeding, take a moment to read the terms and conditions. They'll explain how your score is provided (typically monthly, based on TransUnion data), and that viewing it will not negatively impact your credit score.
- Confirm Enrollment: Click or tap to confirm your enrollment. You might receive an email confirmation once you've successfully enrolled.
Step 5: View Your FICO® Score and Insights
Once enrolled, your FICO® Score will be displayed. This usually includes:
- Your Current FICO® Score: This is the three-digit number, typically ranging from 300 to 850, that summarizes your credit risk.
- Key Factors Affecting Your Score: Bank of America often provides two key factors that are influencing your current score. These insights are incredibly valuable as they highlight areas where you might want to focus your efforts to improve your credit health. For example, it might mention "length of credit history" or "credit utilization."
- Score History Chart: You'll likely see a chart showing your FICO® Score over time, allowing you to track its fluctuations and see the impact of your financial actions.
- Educational Resources: Bank of America, often through its "Better Money Habits" platform, provides educational content about credit scores, how they're calculated, and tips for improving them. Don't skip these resources! They can significantly enhance your understanding of credit.
Step 6: Understand Your Score and Take Action
Now that you have your score, what does it mean?
QuickTip: A quick skim can reveal the main idea fast.
- What's a "Good" Score? While credit score ranges can vary slightly by scoring model, a general guide is:
- Excellent: 800-850
- Very Good: 740-799
- Good: 670-739
- Fair: 580-669
- Poor: 300-579
- A higher score generally indicates lower risk to lenders and can lead to better terms on loans and credit products.
- Review the Factors: Pay close attention to the "key factors" affecting your score. These are your action points. For instance:
- If credit utilization is a factor, aim to keep your credit card balances low relative to your credit limits (ideally below 30%).
- If payment history is mentioned, ensure you're making all your payments on time, every time.
- Check Regularly (But Don't Obsess): Your Bank of America FICO® Score updates monthly. It's a good habit to check it periodically to monitor your progress and catch any unexpected changes. Remember, checking your own score is a "soft inquiry" and does not hurt your score.
Important Considerations When Checking Your Credit Score
- FICO® Score vs. Other Scores: Keep in mind that the score provided by Bank of America is a FICO® Score 8 based on TransUnion data. You have many credit scores, and other lenders might use different FICO® Score versions, VantageScores, or data from other credit bureaus (Experian or Equifax). It's normal for scores to vary slightly between different providers and models.
- Credit Reports are Different from Scores: While your score is a snapshot, your credit report is the detailed history of your credit accounts. You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) once every 12 months at AnnualCreditReport.com. It's highly recommended to review your credit reports regularly for accuracy and to spot any potential errors or fraudulent activity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related FAQs to help you further understand checking your credit score with Bank of America:
How to check my Bank of America credit score for free?
You can check your FICO® Score for free through your Bank of America Online Banking account or the Bank of America Mobile App, provided you have an eligible consumer credit card account.
 |
How to find my FICO Score on the Bank of America app?
Log in to the Bank of America Mobile Banking app, and typically you'll find the FICO® Score section under "Tools & Investing" or a similar services menu, or sometimes even prominently displayed on the dashboard.
How to enroll in the Bank of America FICO Score program?
After logging into your Bank of America online banking or mobile app, navigate to the FICO® Score section. If you haven't already, you'll see a prompt to enroll by accepting the terms and conditions.
Tip: Break it down — section by section.
How to understand the factors affecting my Bank of America FICO Score?
Bank of America typically provides two key factors that are most impacting your FICO® Score, such as "credit utilization" or "length of credit history." Understanding these factors will guide you on what aspects of your credit profile to focus on for improvement.
How to know if checking my credit score with Bank of America impacts it?
No, checking your FICO® Score through Bank of America's online banking or mobile app is considered a "soft inquiry" and will not negatively impact your credit score.
How to get my full credit report from Bank of America?
Bank of America provides your FICO® Score, not your full credit report. To get your free annual credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion), visit AnnualCreditReport.com.
How to check my Bank of America credit score if I don't have a credit card?
Bank of America generally offers the free FICO® Score to eligible consumer credit card customers. If you don't have a BofA credit card, you might not have access to this specific feature. However, you can still get free credit scores from other sources, like various credit card companies, credit counseling agencies, or free credit monitoring services.
QuickTip: Read again with fresh eyes.
How to get email alerts when my Bank of America FICO Score updates?
When you enroll in the FICO® Score program through Bank of America, you'll usually be automatically set up to receive email alerts when your updated score is available (typically monthly). You can manage these alert settings within your online banking profile.
How to improve my credit score based on Bank of America's insights?
Focus on the "key factors" Bank of America highlights. Generally, improving your score involves paying bills on time, keeping credit utilization low (below 30% of your credit limit), maintaining a long credit history, and having a healthy mix of credit.
How to contact Bank of America for credit score related questions?
For questions specific to your Bank of America credit card or account, you can use the customer service numbers found on the back of your credit card or on the Bank of America website under their "Contact Us" section for credit card services. However, for general credit score education, their "Better Money Habits" resources are very helpful.
 |
