What you need to open a Bank of America account

Bank of America requires a government-issued photo ID, your Social Security number, and an initial deposit to open a checking or savings account. The deposit amount depends on the account type—some accounts have no minimum, while others require $25 or more. You can open an account online, by phone, or in person at a branch, and the process takes about 10 to 15 minutes if you have your documents ready.

If you don't have a Social Security number, you can open an account with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), though some account types may not be available. Bank of America will also run a check through ChexSystems, which is a banking history database—this is standard across most banks and doesn't affect your credit score.

You'll need to decide whether you want a checking account, savings account, or both. Checking accounts are for frequent transactions; savings accounts earn interest but limit how often you can withdraw. Bank of America offers several versions of each, with different fees and features depending on how much money you keep in the account.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a government photo ID, Social Security number or ITIN, and an opening deposit to start an account at Bank of America.
  • Bank of America checks your banking history through ChexSystems, which may deny you if you have unpaid overdrafts or fraud flags at other banks.
  • You can open an account online in about 10 minutes, by phone, or in person at a branch—all three routes are equally straightforward.
  • Monthly fees vary by account type and how much money you keep deposited, so compare the different checking and savings options before you choose.

Opening an account online versus in person

Opening online is fastest if you have a valid photo ID and can upload it or verify it through your phone camera. You'll enter your personal information, Social Security number, and initial deposit details (debit card, another bank account, or wire transfer). Bank of America will send you a temporary account number when ready, and your debit card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

Opening in person at a branch takes longer but gives you a chance to ask questions and understand the account features before you commit. A banker will walk you through the options, help you choose the right account type, and process your deposit on the spot. Your debit card is usually ready to use the same day or the next business day if you open early enough.

Opening by phone works if you prefer talking to someone but don't want to visit a branch. Call 1-800-432-1000 and a representative will guide you through the same process as online, though you'll still need to mail in a copy of your ID or verify it another way. This route takes 3 to 5 business days longer than online because of the mail step.

What happens if Bank of America denies your account

Bank of America may deny your account if ChexSystems shows unpaid overdraft fees, fraud, or repeated insufficient funds incidents at other banks. You won't be told the exact reason unless you ask, but you have the right to request a copy of your ChexSystems report for free. You can dispute errors on that report directly with ChexSystems, which takes 30 to 45 days to investigate.

If you're denied, you have options. Some banks offer second-chance checking accounts specifically for people with banking history problems—these usually come with higher fees but don't require a ChexSystems check. You can also wait 3 to 5 years for old incidents to age off your report, though fraud flags may stay longer. Another path is to open a savings account instead of checking, since savings accounts sometimes have looser requirements.

Before you reapply at Bank of America, pay off any outstanding overdraft fees at other banks and wait at least 30 days. Then contact Bank of America directly and ask whether your situation has changed enough to reconsider. Some branches have discretion to override a ChexSystems denial if the incident was years ago or if you can explain what happened.

Account types and monthly fees

Bank of America's most common checking account is the Checking account, which has no monthly fee if you keep a $500 minimum balance, set up direct deposit, or maintain a linked savings account with $500. If you don't meet any of those, the fee is $12 per month. This account includes unlimited debit card transactions, online bill pay, and access to Bank of America's ATM network.

The Advantage Checking account costs $15 per month but waives the fee if you keep $1,500 in the account or set up direct deposit. It offers the same features as regular checking but includes overdraft protection and a higher overdraft limit. This account is useful if you regularly carry a balance or want more cushion against accidental overdrafts.

For savings, the Regular Savings account earns interest but has a $25 minimum balance and a $5 monthly fee if you drop below that. Interest rates change frequently and are currently very low across most banks. A Money Market Savings account requires a higher minimum ($2,500) but pays slightly more interest and allows more withdrawals per month.

Your first deposit and getting your debit card

Your opening deposit can come from a debit card, another bank account, or a wire transfer. If you're opening online, you'll enter the source account information and the money transfers within 1 to 3 business days. If you're opening in person, you can hand the banker a check or cash, and it posts when ready.

Your debit card arrives by mail 7 to 10 business days after you open the account online. If you opened in person, ask whether the branch can issue a temporary card the same day—many branches can, though it depends on staffing. You can use your temporary card number to make online purchases or withdraw cash at ATMs while you wait for the physical card.

Once your account is open, you can set up direct deposit, automatic bill pay, and mobile banking through the Bank of America app. The app lets you check your balance, transfer money between accounts, deposit checks by photo, and find ATMs. You can also link external bank accounts to move money in and out, though transfers take 1 to 3 business days.

What to do if you have a ChexSystems problem

If Bank of America tells you that ChexSystems is the reason for denial, ask for the specific reason in writing. Bank of America is required to tell you how to contact ChexSystems and how to request your report. You can get your free report at chexsystems.com or by calling 1-800-428-9623.

Once you have your report, look for errors—wrong account numbers, incidents that don't belong to you, or closed accounts still showing as open. You can dispute any error directly through ChexSystems' website or by mail. ChexSystems has 30 days to investigate, and if they find the error, they'll correct it and notify Bank of America.

If the information is accurate but old, you can add a statement to your ChexSystems file explaining the situation. This statement appears whenever a bank pulls your report and may help if you reapply. Some banks will reconsider after reading your explanation, especially if the incident was more than two years ago.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a Bank of America account without a Social Security number?

Yes, you can open an account with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) if you don't have a Social Security number. Some account types and features may not be available with an ITIN, so ask the banker or online chat which accounts you can open. You'll still need a government photo ID and an opening deposit.

What if I don't have a photo ID?

Bank of America requires a government-issued photo ID to open an account—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work. If you don't have one, you'll need to get one before you can open an account. Some states offer ID cards specifically for people who don't drive; check your state's DMV website for options.

How long does it take to use my account after I open it?

If you open online, your account is active when ready and you can use your temporary account number to make online purchases or transfers the same day. Your debit card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. If you open in person, you can use your debit card the same day or next business day depending on when you opened.

Can I open multiple accounts at Bank of America?

Yes, you can open a checking account and a savings account at the same time, or multiple accounts of the same type. Some people open a checking account for daily spending and a savings account to set money aside. Each account has its own fees and minimum balance requirements, so factor that into your decision.

What happens if I don't make a deposit right away?

Bank of America requires an opening deposit to create the account, so you must deposit money as part of the opening process. The amount depends on the account type—some accounts have no minimum, while others require $25 or more. You can't open an account and deposit money later.