Add a savings account in three steps from your phone or computer
Open the Bank of America app or website and sign in. Tap or click the menu icon (three horizontal lines), then select "Add Account" or "Link Account." Choose whether you want to add an existing Bank of America savings account you already own, or link an external account from another bank. Follow the prompts to enter your account details—for a Bank of America account, this is usually instant; for an external account, you'll need your routing number and account number, and the bank will verify it with two small deposits over a few days.
The entire process takes minutes if you're adding an existing Bank of America account. If you're linking an external savings account, verification can take up to five business days, though you can often use the account before verification completes.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America accounts link instantly in the app; external accounts require routing and account numbers and take up to five business days to verify.
- You can add a savings account from your phone using the Bank of America app or from a computer using the website—both follow the same steps.
- The bank verifies external accounts by depositing two small amounts and asking you to confirm the exact totals, which proves you control that account.
- Once linked, you can transfer money between accounts, set up automatic transfers, and monitor all your accounts in one place.
Adding an existing Bank of America savings account
If you already have a Bank of America savings account but haven't added it to your app yet, the link is immediate. Open the app, tap the menu, and select "Add Account." Choose "Bank of America" and enter your account number or the last four digits of the card or account associated with that savings account. The app will pull up the account and add it to your dashboard right away.
You don't need to verify anything—Bank of America already knows both accounts are yours because they're in the same system. If you have multiple savings accounts at Bank of America, you can add each one this way, and they'll all appear as separate tiles on your main screen so you can see balances at a glance.
Linking a savings account from another bank
To add a savings account from a different bank (Chase, Wells Fargo, Ally, or any other institution), you'll need the routing number and account number. You can find both on a check, or call the bank's customer service line and ask for them. In the app, select "Add Account," choose "External Account," and enter these numbers.
Bank of America will then send two small deposits—usually between $0.01 and $0.99—to that external account over one to three business days. You'll receive a notification when the deposits arrive. Log into that external bank's app or website, find the deposit amounts, and enter them into the Bank of America app to confirm. Once you do, the account is verified and fully linked.
This verification step proves you actually control the external account and prevents someone else from linking your account without permission. Until verification is complete, you can usually still see the account and its balance in Bank of America, but transfers may be blocked.
What you can do once the account is linked
After your savings account is added, you can transfer money to and from it using the Bank of America app. Tap "Transfer," select the accounts you want to move money between, enter the amount, and confirm. Transfers between Bank of America accounts happen instantly; transfers to or from an external account typically take one to three business days.
You can also set up automatic recurring transfers—for example, moving $50 from checking to savings every payday. Go to "Transfers," select "Set Up Recurring Transfer," and choose the frequency (weekly, biweekly, monthly, or custom). The app will remind you before each transfer goes through, and you can pause or cancel anytime.
Removing or unlinking an account
If you want to stop seeing an account in your app, open the menu, find the account you want to remove, and look for a settings or options icon (usually three dots or a gear). Select "Remove Account" or "Unlink Account." Bank of America will ask you to confirm, and the account will disappear from your dashboard.
Removing an account from the app does not close the account or affect the money in it—it just hides it from your Bank of America app view. You can add it back anytime by following the same steps. If you linked an external account and want to stop the link, removing it from the Bank of America app is all you need to do; the external bank is unaffected.
Troubleshooting common problems
If you see an error when trying to add an account, the most common cause is an incorrect routing or account number. Double-check both numbers against a check or your bank statement—even one digit wrong will block the link. If the numbers are correct and the error persists, try again in a few hours; sometimes the bank's system is temporarily busy.
If verification deposits don't arrive within three business days, contact Bank of America customer service through the app or by phone. They can resend the deposits or verify the account manually. If you linked an external account and can't remember the deposit amounts, you can request new deposits instead of guessing.
If you're trying to add a savings account but the app keeps asking for a password or security code, make sure you're already signed into Bank of America. You should not need to sign into the external bank—Bank of America only needs the routing and account numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a savings account from a credit union?
Yes. Credit unions have routing numbers just like banks do. Find the routing number on a check or call the credit union's customer service line, then follow the same steps for linking an external account. Verification takes the same one to five business days.
What if I add the wrong account by mistake?
Remove it from the app using the settings menu. The account itself is not affected—you're just hiding it from your Bank of America dashboard. You can add the correct account right after, and the wrong one will stay open at its own bank unless you close it separately.
Do I need to verify my identity again when I add a savings account?
No. If you're already signed into Bank of America, the app assumes you're the account holder. For external accounts, the verification deposits prove you control that account—that's the only additional proof needed.
Can I transfer money to a savings account at a different bank right away?
You can initiate the transfer immediately, but it won't complete until the external account is verified (up to five business days). Some banks allow transfers to begin before verification finishes, but the money won't arrive until the link is confirmed.
Will adding a savings account affect my credit score?
No. Linking accounts in an app is not a credit inquiry and does not appear on your credit report. It's purely a viewing and transfer tool within the Bank of America system.