Can I Open a Bank of America Account with an ITIN?

Written by

itin.so Editorial Team

IRS-Authorized Certifying Acceptance Agents · Updated August 2026

Policy verified August 2026. Bank of America account-opening rules change and are applied at branch level — confirm with the bank directly before you travel to a financial center.

Bank of America accepts ITIN holders for personal checking and savings accounts. Visit any branch with your ITIN assignment letter (IRS notice CP565), a valid passport or consular ID, and proof of a US address such as a utility bill or lease. Bank of America offers Advantage SafeBalance Banking (no minimum balance, $4.95/mo) and Advantage Savings to ITIN holders. A secured credit card is also available and reports to all three credit bureaus, which makes it one of the more useful credit-building options for ITIN holders.

Quick answer

Yes — but in person, not online. Bank of America's web application is built around an SSN, so ITIN customers open at a financial center. Bring the CP565 letter, a passport, a second ID, and proof of a US address. Call the specific branch first: ITIN acceptance is standard policy, but document requirements vary and a wasted trip is the usual failure mode.

Bank of America Account Options for ITIN Holders

Monthly fees and the ways to waive them, as published for 2026. Fees apply identically whether you opened with an SSN or an ITIN.

Account	Monthly Fee	How to Waive	Min Balance	ITIN?
Advantage SafeBalance Banking	$4.95	Enrolled students under 25, or Preferred Rewards membership	$0	Yes
Advantage Plus Banking	$12	Qualifying direct deposit of $250+, or $1,500 minimum daily balance	$0	Yes
Advantage Savings	$8	$500 minimum daily balance, or Preferred Rewards membership	$0	Yes
BankAmericard Secured Credit Card	$0 annual fee	—	$200 minimum refundable deposit	Yes

SafeBalance is the account most ITIN holders should start with. It has no minimum balance requirement and no overdraft fees — transactions that would overdraw are declined rather than charged, which removes the most common way a new US account accumulates unexpected costs.

What to Bring to the Branch

ITIN assignment letter (CP565).This is the IRS notice confirming your number. If you have lost it, request a replacement from the IRS before your branch visit — reciting the number from memory is not sufficient.
Valid unexpired passport. The strongest single ID for ITIN holders, and the one most branches expect.
A second form of ID.A foreign or US driver's license, a consular ID such as a matrícula consular, or another government-issued document. Acceptance of consular IDs varies by branch and state.
Proof of US address. A utility bill, lease agreement, or official mail in your name, usually dated within the last 60 to 90 days.
Opening deposit. Modest, typically $25 to $100 depending on the account.

If your ITIN has expired under the IRS rolling schedule, renew it before you go. See the ITIN renewal guide — an expired number will not clear verification.

Building US Credit with the Bank of America Secured Card

This is the reason Bank of America is worth considering over branch-only alternatives. The BankAmericard Secured Credit Card takes a refundable security deposit — $200 minimum, and your credit line equals the deposit — charges no annual fee, and reports to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Consistent on-time payments on a reporting tradeline are how an ITIN holder goes from no credit file to a scoreable one, typically in about six months.

Bank of America periodically reviews secured accounts for a return of the deposit and conversion to an unsecured line. Open the checking account first, use it actively for a few months, then ask about the card. For the wider set of options, see our guide to credit cards for ITIN holders.

Bank of America vs Other ITIN-Friendly Banks

Bank of America's advantages are national branch coverage — roughly 3,700 financial centers — and a genuinely useful secured card. Its limitation is the same as every large retail bank: you must be physically in the United States with a verifiable US address.

Chase — the largest branch network, but no secured card for ITIN-only customers
Wells Fargo — broad coverage and an established ITIN lending history
TD Bank — East Coast only, 15 states plus Washington, D.C.
The full comparison — including online-first options for applicants outside the US

Bank of America and ITIN at a Glance

Bank of America accepts ITIN for personal checking and savings accounts
Bring to the branch: ITIN assignment letter (CP565), passport or consular ID, proof of US address
Account opening is in person — the online application requires an SSN
Advantage SafeBalance Banking: $4.95/mo, no minimum balance, no overdraft fees
Advantage Savings: $8/mo, waived with $500 daily balance
BankAmericard Secured Credit Card: $200 minimum deposit, $0 annual fee, reports to all three credit bureaus

Bank of America and ITIN: Frequently Asked Questions

Does Bank of America accept an ITIN?

Yes. Bank of America can open personal checking and savings accounts for customers who do not have a Social Security Number, using an ITIN instead. This is handled in person at a branch rather than through the online application, which is built around an SSN. Bring your ITIN assignment letter (IRS notice CP565), a valid passport or other accepted photo ID, and proof of a US address. Approval remains subject to the bank's identity verification and account-opening policies, so call your nearest branch first to confirm current requirements.

Can I open a Bank of America account online with an ITIN?

Generally no. Bank of America's online application flow asks for a Social Security Number and does not have an ITIN path, so ITIN-only applicants are directed to open in person at a branch. You can start research and product comparison online, but plan on a branch visit to complete the account. Call ahead to confirm the branch can handle an ITIN opening and to ask whether an appointment is needed.

What documents does Bank of America need for an ITIN account?

Expect to bring your ITIN assignment letter (CP565), a primary government photo ID — a valid unexpired passport is the most widely accepted for ITIN holders — often a second form of identification, and proof of a US residential address such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 to 90 days. Some branches accept a matrícula consular or other consular ID as a secondary document, but this varies by branch and by state. Bring originals rather than copies, plus funds for the opening deposit.

Can I get a credit card at Bank of America with an ITIN?

The secured card is the realistic path. Bank of America's unsecured cards are underwritten against a US credit file, so applicants with a thin or empty file are usually declined. The BankAmericard Secured Credit Card requires a refundable security deposit — typically $200 minimum — carries no annual fee, and reports to all three major credit bureaus, which is what makes it useful. Open the deposit account first, then ask the branch what card products you qualify for.

Do I need a US address to open a Bank of America account with an ITIN?

Yes, in practice. Bank of America asks for a verifiable US residential or mailing address as part of its customer identification process. This makes it a poor fit for non-residents applying from abroad who have no US address. If you are outside the US, an online-first bank that serves non-resident customers is usually the more practical route.

Is Bank of America a good choice for ITIN holders?

It is a strong choice if you live in the US and want branch access — Bank of America operates roughly 3,700 financial centers across most states, so coverage is broad. Its secured credit card is also a genuinely useful credit-building tool for ITIN holders. It is a poor choice if you live abroad, have no US address, or want to complete everything online. Compare it against other ITIN-friendly banks before deciding.

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