Getting a handle on your credit score is a crucial step towards achieving financial health and unlocking better opportunities, from securing loans at favorable interest rates to getting approved for new credit cards. If you're a Bank of America customer, you're in luck! They offer a convenient way to check your FICO® Score for free. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, ensuring you can easily access and understand your credit score.
Are you ready to take control of your financial future and gain valuable insights into your creditworthiness? Let's dive in!
How to Check Your Credit Score with Bank of America: A Step-by-Step Guide
Bank of America provides eligible customers with free access to their FICO® Score, powered by TransUnion. This is a "soft inquiry," meaning it will not negatively impact your credit score.
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Before you begin, let's make sure you qualify for this free service.
- Are you a Bank of America Credit Card Customer? This is the primary requirement. Bank of America offers free FICO® Score access to primary cardholders with an open and active consumer credit card account.
- Do you have Online and Mobile Banking Access? You'll need to be enrolled in Bank of America's Online Banking or use their Mobile Banking app to view your score. If you're not already, don't worry, we'll cover how to set that up.
If you don't have a Bank of America credit card, don't despair! While this guide focuses on BofA's offering, you can still obtain your credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) for free annually at annualcreditreport.com. Many other credit card companies and financial institutions also offer free credit score access.
Step 2: Access Your Bank of America Account
This is where the journey begins! You have two primary ways to access your Bank of America account to check your credit score.
Sub-heading: Option A: Through Online Banking (Desktop)
- Open Your Web Browser: Go to the official Bank of America website:
www.bankofamerica.com - Log In Securely: Locate the "Log In" button, usually in the top right corner of the homepage. Enter your Online ID and Passcode.
- Tip for First-Time Users: If you haven't set up online banking yet, look for a "Enroll" or "Sign Up" link near the login area. You'll need your account number and some personal information to register. Follow the on-screen prompts to create your Online ID and Passcode.
- Navigate to Your Credit Score: Once logged in, you'll be on your account dashboard. Look for a section or link related to "Credit Score," "FICO® Score," "Tools & Investing," or "Better Money Habits." These labels can vary slightly, but they usually lead to the same place. It might be prominently displayed or under a specific menu.
- You might see a banner or prompt inviting you to view your FICO® Score if you haven't already enrolled in the program.
Sub-heading: Option B: Through the Mobile Banking App
- Download the App (if you haven't already): Search for "Bank of America Mobile Banking" in your device's app store (Google Play Store for Android, Apple App Store for iOS). Download and install the official app.
- Open and Log In: Launch the app and enter your Online ID and Passcode. Many mobile apps also offer biometric login options (fingerprint or face ID) for quicker access once set up.
- Find Your Credit Score: Similar to online banking, once logged in, look for a section or menu item that says "Credit Score," "FICO® Score," or "More" that leads to financial tools. It's often intuitively placed for easy access.
Step 3: Enroll in the FICO® Score Program (If Not Already Enrolled)
For many Bank of America credit card customers, the FICO® Score access is part of a program you need to enroll in.
- Click to Enroll: If you see a prompt or button to "Enroll" in the FICO® Score program, click or tap on it.
- Review Terms and Conditions: You'll likely be presented with the program's terms and conditions. It's always a good idea to read these carefully to understand how your score is provided and used (it's typically for educational, non-commercial purposes).
- Confirm Enrollment: Agree to the terms and confirm your enrollment. This typically authorizes Bank of America to access your FICO® Score periodically from TransUnion.
Rest assured: Enrolling and viewing your FICO® Score through Bank of America's program is a soft inquiry and will not harm your credit score.
Step 4: View Your FICO® Score
Once enrolled, your FICO® Score should be displayed on the screen.
- Your 3-Digit Score: You'll see a three-digit number, which is your FICO® Score. This score typically ranges from 300 to 850.
- Key Factors Affecting Your Score: Bank of America also provides "key factors" that are influencing your FICO® Score. These are invaluable insights as they highlight the areas where your credit health is strong or where it could use improvement. Examples of these factors might include:
- Length of credit history
- Credit utilization (how much of your available credit you're using)
- Payment history (on-time payments vs. late payments)
- Credit mix (types of credit accounts you have)
- New credit inquiries
- Score History Chart: Many platforms, including Bank of America's, offer a chart that tracks your FICO® Score month-to-month. This allows you to see trends and monitor your progress over time.
- Comparison to National Averages: You might also see how your score compares to national averages, giving you a broader perspective.
Step 5: Understand Your FICO® Score and Take Action
Now that you've checked your score, it's time to understand what it means and how you can use this information.
Sub-heading: Deciphering Your FICO® Score
Generally, FICO® Scores fall into these categories:
- Exceptional: 800+
- Very Good: 740-799
- Good: 670-739
- Fair: 580-669
- Poor: 579 and below
The higher your score, the better! A good to excellent score typically indicates you're a responsible borrower and makes you more attractive to lenders, potentially leading to better interest rates on loans and higher credit limits.
Sub-heading: Using the Key Factors to Your Advantage
Pay close attention to the "key factors" provided with your score. These are actionable insights:
- If "Late Payments" are a factor: Focus on making all your payments on time, every time. Set up automatic payments or reminders.
- If "High Credit Utilization" is a factor: Aim to keep your credit card balances low, ideally below 30% of your credit limit. Paying off balances in full each month is best.
- If "Short Credit History" is a factor: Time is your friend here. Continue to manage your credit responsibly, and your history will naturally grow. Avoid closing old, established accounts unless absolutely necessary.
- If "Too Many New Inquiries" is a factor: Limit applications for new credit. Each "hard inquiry" can temporarily lower your score.
Bank of America's "Better Money Habits®" resources, often linked within their credit score section, provide excellent educational content and strategies for maintaining and improving your financial health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 10 common questions related to checking your credit score with Bank of America and general credit health:
How to access my FICO® Score through Bank of America?
You can access your FICO® Score through Bank of America's Online Banking or their Mobile Banking app if you are a primary Bank of America credit card customer and enroll in their free FICO® Score program.
How to find my credit score if I don't have a Bank of America credit card?
If you don't have a Bank of America credit card, you can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) once every 12 months at annualcreditreport.com. Many other credit card issuers also offer free credit score access.
How to know if checking my credit score will hurt it?
Checking your own credit score through Bank of America's program (or similar services from other banks/credit card companies) is a "soft inquiry" and will not negatively impact your credit score. "Hard inquiries," which occur when you apply for new credit, can temporarily lower your score.
How to interpret the FICO® Score ranges?
FICO® Scores typically range from 300 to 850. Generally, scores above 670 are considered "good" or better, while scores below 580 are considered "poor."
How to understand the key factors affecting my credit score?
The key factors explain what aspects of your credit history are most impacting your score, such as payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, types of credit, and new credit. Focus on improving the areas highlighted as weaknesses.
How to improve my FICO® Score?
To improve your FICO® Score, consistently pay bills on time, keep credit card balances low (ideally below 30% utilization), avoid opening too many new credit accounts at once, and maintain a long credit history.
How to dispute errors on my credit report?
If you find errors on your credit report, you can dispute them directly with the credit bureau (TransUnion, Experian, or Equifax) that reported the information. You can also contact Bank of America if the error relates to one of your accounts with them.
How to get my credit report for free annually?
You are entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) by visiting
How to get monthly updates on my credit score?
If you're a Bank of America credit card customer enrolled in their FICO® Score program, your score is typically updated monthly within their online banking or mobile app. Other credit monitoring services also offer monthly updates.
How to protect my credit from identity theft?
Regularly checking your credit score and credit reports for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries is a key step in detecting identity theft. You can also set up fraud alerts or credit freezes with the credit bureaus if you suspect fraudulent activity.
