It's a smart move to want to hide your savings account from plain sight on your banking app! It can be incredibly helpful for maintaining financial discipline and resisting the urge to dip into those hard-earned savings for non-essential purchases. Let's dive into how you can make your Bank of America savings account less visible.
How to Hide Your Savings Account on the Bank of America App: A Step-by-Step Guide
Hey there! Are you ready to take control of your spending habits and give your savings the "out of sight, out of mind" treatment? This guide will walk you through the process of adjusting your account visibility on the Bank of America platform. While the mobile app itself has some limitations for directly "hiding" accounts in the way you might imagine, there are effective strategies you can employ.
Let's get started!
Step 1: Understand the Nuance of "Hiding" Accounts
Before we jump into the steps, it's crucial to understand that Bank of America's mobile app doesn't have a direct "hide account" button for your primary accounts in the same way some other financial apps might. Instead, the focus is more on customizing your view or, in some cases, reducing the prominence of certain accounts. For a true "out of sight" approach, especially if you're battling strong temptation, you might need to leverage the desktop online banking portal or even consider a more drastic measure (which we'll discuss later).
Why is this important? Because setting your expectations correctly will prevent frustration! The app prioritizes ease of access to all your accounts, so while we can make them less prominent, completely vanishing them isn't typically an in-app feature for core accounts.
Step 2: Utilizing Bank of America Online Banking (Desktop Recommended)
This is often the most effective method for managing account visibility. While some settings might be mirrored on the app, making changes on the desktop version of Bank of America's online banking provides the most comprehensive control.
Sub-Step 2.1: Log In to Online Banking
- Open your web browser on a desktop or laptop computer.
- Navigate to the official Bank of America website:
www.bankofamerica.com - Log in to your Online Banking account using your User ID and Password. Make sure you're on a secure connection.
Sub-Step 2.2: Navigate to Account Preferences/Settings
Once logged in, look for a section related to "Settings" or "Account Preferences." This is usually found in a few common places:
- Look for a gear icon (⚙️) or a "Settings" link typically in the top right corner or a sidebar menu of your account overview.
- Sometimes, it might be under a broader "Profile" or "Service" menu.
- Pro Tip: If you're having trouble finding it, use the search bar within the online banking portal (if available) and type "account preferences" or "account visibility."
Sub-Step 2.3: Adjusting Account Visibility
Within the "Account Preferences" or similar section, you should see a list of your accounts.
- You might find checkboxes or toggle switches next to each account, allowing you to "show" or "hide" them from your main account list or dashboard.
- Locate your savings account in the list.
- Uncheck the box or toggle the switch to hide your savings account.
- Pay attention to any on-screen prompts or warnings. The system might inform you that hiding an account means it won't appear on your main dashboard, but it's still accessible through other menus.
- Save your changes. There will usually be a "Save" or "Update" button to confirm your selections.
Sub-Step 2.4: Verify the Changes on the App
After making changes on the desktop site, log out and then log back into your Bank of America mobile app.
- Check your main account dashboard. Your savings account should now be less prominent or potentially not visible on the primary screen.
- Remember, even if it's "hidden" from the main view, you can typically still access it by navigating to a "View all accounts" or similar menu within the app. The goal here is to reduce its immediate visibility and impulsive access.
Step 3: Leveraging the Bank of America Mobile App for a Less Prominent View (If Desktop Option Isn't Feasible)
While the desktop offers more robust options, you can still make your savings account less "in your face" directly on the mobile app.
Sub-Step 3.1: Log In to the Bank of America App
- Open the Bank of America Mobile Banking app on your smartphone.
- Log in securely using your credentials, fingerprint, or Face ID.
Sub-Step 3.2: Exploring Display Options
The mobile app's customization features are generally geared towards how your accounts are ordered or how much detail is displayed, rather than outright hiding.
- Look for a "Settings" menu within the app. This is often represented by a gear icon or a menu icon (three horizontal lines).
- Within "Settings," browse for options like "Account Preferences," "Display Settings," or "Customize Accounts."
- You might find options to:
- Reorder your accounts: Move your savings account further down the list so it's not the first thing you see.
- Hide certain details: Some apps allow you to hide the balance of a specific account on the main screen, requiring you to tap on it to view the balance. This is a great option for reducing temptation!
- Nickname accounts: While not hiding, giving your savings account a less "tempting" nickname (e.g., "Future House Fund" instead of "Savings") can help with psychological distance.
Sub-Step 3.3: Setting Up Alerts (A Strategic Alternative)
Even if you can't fully hide the account, you can set up alerts to monitor its activity, giving you a sense of control without constantly seeing the balance.
- From the main screen, tap on the Inbox envelope icon (usually at the top).
- Select "Bank of America inbox" if you have multiple linked accounts.
- Tap on "Manage Alert settings" or a similar option.
- Choose your savings account and set up alerts for specific activities, like withdrawals or balance drops. This way, you'll be notified if money leaves, but you won't be constantly reminded of its presence.
Step 4: Consider a Separate Bank for True "Out of Sight, Out of Mind"
If your goal is to truly make your savings account invisible to you on a day-to-day basis, the most effective method might be to open a savings account with a different bank entirely.
- This creates a complete separation, as it won't appear on your Bank of America app or online banking portal at all.
- Look for high-yield savings accounts at online-only banks, as they often offer better interest rates and are designed for long-term saving.
- Set up automatic transfers from your Bank of America checking account to this external savings account. This way, your savings grow without you constantly seeing the balance.
Important Considerations:
- Accessibility: Remember, even if you hide an account, it's still there and accessible. The goal is to reduce impulsive viewing and spending, not to make it impossible to access when genuinely needed.
- Regular Reviews: Even with a hidden account, it's wise to review your savings periodically (e.g., once a month) to ensure everything is on track and to celebrate your progress!
- Security: Always ensure you're using strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication for your banking apps and online portals.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage the visibility of your Bank of America savings account and empower yourself to reach your financial goals!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my hidden savings account balance on Bank of America?
You can typically check your hidden savings account balance by navigating to a "View all accounts" or "Account Details" section within the Bank of America app or online banking, even if it's not displayed on your main dashboard.
How to unhide a savings account on the Bank of America app?
To unhide a savings account, you generally need to log in to Bank of America online banking via a desktop computer, go to "Settings" or "Account Preferences," and re-check the box or toggle the switch next to your savings account to make it visible again. The change should then reflect on your mobile app.
How to nickname an account on the Bank of America app?
You can usually nickname an account by logging into Bank of America online banking (desktop version is often more reliable for this), going to "Account Preferences" or "Settings," finding the account, and editing its nickname. Some app versions might allow this directly under account details.
How to set up low balance alerts for my Bank of America savings account?
Log in to your Bank of America mobile app, tap the "Inbox" icon, then "Bank of America inbox," and select "Manage Alert settings." From there, choose your savings account and set up a "Low Balance" alert.
How to transfer money to a hidden savings account on Bank of America?
Even if an account is hidden from your main view, it remains fully functional. You can transfer money to it by initiating a transfer from your checking account and selecting your hidden savings account as the destination from the list of all your accounts.
How to ensure my savings are truly "out of sight, out of mind"?
For the strongest "out of sight, out of mind" approach, consider opening a savings account at a different bank (especially an online-only high-yield savings account) and setting up automated transfers from your primary Bank of America checking account.
How to delete an account from the Bank of America app display?
You cannot "delete" an active account from the app display. You can only adjust its visibility, as discussed in the guide, or close the account entirely (which is a permanent action).
How to view my Bank of America statements for a hidden account?
Even if an account is hidden from your main dashboard, its statements are still accessible. You can typically find them under the "Statements & Documents" or "Paperless Settings" section within both the Bank of America app and online banking.
How to prevent impulse spending from my savings account?
Hiding your savings account is a great first step! Additionally, consider setting up automatic transfers to your savings, avoiding linking your savings debit card to online shopping accounts, and setting clear financial goals that motivate you to keep your savings untouched.
How to find the "Settings" or "Preferences" menu in the Bank of America app?
Look for a gear icon (⚙️), three horizontal lines (☰) representing a menu, or a direct "Settings" or "Profile" link, usually located in the top corner or bottom navigation bar of the app's main screen.
