Bank of America

Given Bank of America’s reputation, many customers select checking accounts to store their money in this financial institution. Advantage Plus Banking is among the top choices, as it offers a balance between the maintenance fee and services provided. However, you can opt for another checking account option if it better suits your needs.

Main Benefits of Bank of America

Even though there are many banks available in the United States, Bank of America is among the most popular options. It becomes clear by looking at the list of its advantages, namely:

• Wide network of branches and ATMs: Bank of America has over 3,900 financial centers across the United States and more than 1,500 ATMs, which makes it highly accessible.
• All essential services in one place: there are all the basic and advanced financial services a person might need, so you would not need to open accounts in other banks.
• Convenient mobile banking: You can make payments and perform other financial operations on your smartphone.
• Perks for customers with $20,000+ on account: the list of benefits includes additional cashback, zero monthly fees, higher interest rates on deposits, and lower rates on loans.

Main Requirements to Open an Account at Bank of America

The checking account requirements at Bank of America are rather simple. You would not need to prove your income, provide any documents about your employment etc. The requirements are mainly focused on the age and the initial deposit made.

• Age: For most account types, a person should be 18 years old. Exceptions are Advantage SafeBalance Banking (tailored for students; it allows account opening for minors of 16 and above) and Advantage SafeBalance Banking for Family Banking (can be used by children over 13 under the supervision of their parents).
• Minimum deposit: Depending on the selected account, it should be either $25 or $100.

However, those requirements are relevant for residents of the United States. The process and requirements for non-residents are slightly different (we explain them further in the guide) and require legal advice.

What Do You Need to Open a Bank Account at Bank of America?

As soon as you have explored possible account types and their terms and conditions, checked the requirements, and discovered if you can meet them, you can open an account with Bank of America. This would require some time for preparation, as different documents should be collected, and the bank manager would ask for them during the account opening process.

The information requested upon account opening is as follows:

• Name – ensure it is spelled the same way as in your passport or ID.
• Physical address – write a full address ( P.O. Box is not accepted).
• Phone number.
• Email address – provide an email address that you use actively not to miss any important messages from the bank.
• Date of birth.
• Information about the co-applicant (if any).

The list of documents needed to open an account with Bank of America includes the following:

• Social Security number.
• Citizenship information.
• State ID or U.S. driver’s license.

As you can see, permanent residents in the United States can make an account in Bank of America rapidly and with minimum bureaucracy.

Previously, you would need to go to a Bank of America branch in your city or town to open an account. However, the bank has become more flexible regarding online services, so you can fill out the application online.

You can do this in any convenient way: use either the desktop or mobile version of the official website. Account opening is also possible via the Bank of America mobile app. However, sometimes, there might be difficulties with identity verification or document attachments. In such cases, it is recommended to visit the nearest branch in your place of residence.

How to Open a Bank of America Account as a Non-Resident

Bank of America allows foreigners (non-residents) to open an account and benefit from all the available services. However, you need to be prepared for additional paperwork compared to a US citizen or a permanent resident. Moreover, you will be requested to provide your address and come to the branch of the Bank of America. As a foreigner, you are not able to open an account online. Please consider this when applying.

Main Requirements for Non-Resident

When it comes to non-residents, Bank of America will first check their billing address. Using the address of a friend or relative in the USA is not possible – you should have your own billing address registered. Also, the managers verify the specified phone number. These are actually all the requirements that differ from those applied to the citizens and permanent residents.

The List of Required Documents

Non-residents should be prepared to provide additional documents on top of those requested from permanent residents and citizens. Their list includes the following:

• Proof of a US address — ensure to have a utility bill ready or a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or state ID. If you choose to provide a utility bill, your name should be on it.
• Primary ID — foreign passport or a non-immigrant visa and border crossing card.
• Secondary ID — employer or student ID card, driving license, or a credit/debit card from a major bank.
• Employment and income information (optional).

Unfortunately, non-residents cannot submit applications to open accounts online. Therefore, you will have to visit a Bank of America branch and submit an application on-site. The good news is that this bank has a vast network of branches, so there is a high possibility that its branch is available in your city of residence.

It takes only 1-2 business days to find out if you are eligible to have an account. Within 7-10 business days, documents for your account will be sent to you via U.S. Mail. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why your application may be rejected. You should contact a bank’s Customer Care service to discover the reason. If the rejection is caused by an incorrectly filled-in application or a missing document, you can resubmit your request. However, if the decision was made based on your financial history, you will need legal assistance to try to solve the issue.

Need Legal Assistance to Open a Bank Account?

Legal help is necessary to ensure you have all your documents prepared and submitted in the correct way. Moreover, it is required for foreign and non-resident individuals who would like to open an account with Bank of America, as the process is more complicated for them. Furthermore, you are to sign an agreement with a bank, and it is advisable to know all your rights and obligations that you agree on when having an account with the bank. Our professionals handle documentation, compliance checks, and banking regulations, so you avoid costly mistakes and delays. Whether you’re a US resident or international client or need specialized account services, Lawtter Solutions simplifies every step and ensures secure account approval with our trusted expertise.