How to Check Your Credit Score Through Bank of America

Bank of America's Credit Score Tool

Bank of America shows you your credit score free through its online banking platform and mobile app. The score you see comes from Experian, one of the three major credit reporting agencies, and updates monthly. You do not need a special account type or membership — if you have a Bank of America checking or savings account and online access, you can view it.

The score Bank of America displays is your FICO Score 8, which is the version most lenders use when deciding whether to approve you for credit. Seeing this number does not change your actual credit report or score; it is information only. The tool also shows you factors that affect your score, like payment history and credit utilization, so you can understand what is helping or hurting it.

Key Takeaways

• Bank of America members can view their Experian credit score free by logging into online banking or the mobile app under the Credit Monitoring section.
• The score updates once per month and reflects your FICO Score 8, the version most lenders use to make credit decisions.
• You can see what factors are affecting your score, such as payment history, credit utilization, and length of credit history.
• Viewing your score through Bank of America does not lower your credit score or trigger a hard inquiry on your credit report.

Steps to Access Your Credit Score Online

Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com using your username and password. Once you are in, look for the "Credit Monitoring" or "Credit Score" section — this is usually found under "Accounts & Services" or in the main dashboard depending on your account setup. Click on it to see your current score and the date it was last updated.

If you do not see a Credit Monitoring section, your account may not have been set up for this feature yet. In that case, you can enroll by going to the same menu and selecting the option to turn on credit monitoring. The enrollment is when ready, and your score will appear within a few minutes.

Checking Your Score on the Mobile App

Open the Bank of America mobile app and sign in with your credentials. Tap the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) and scroll to find "Credit Monitoring" or "Credit Score." The process is the same as online banking — your current score and the date of the last update will display when ready.

The mobile app version shows the same information as the website, including the factors affecting your score. You can check it as often as you want without any penalty or impact on your credit.

What Information You Will See

Your Bank of America credit score display includes your current FICO Score 8, the date it was last updated, and a range showing where your score falls (for example, "Good" or "Excellent"). Below that, you will see a breakdown of the factors influencing your score, listed in order of impact.

The factors shown typically include payment history (whether you pay on time), credit utilization (how much of your available credit you are using), length of credit history (how long you have had credit accounts), credit mix (having different types of credit like cards and loans), and recent inquiries (new credit applications). Bank of America also shows you which factors are working in your favor and which ones are pulling your score down.

How Often the Score Updates

Your credit score through Bank of America updates once per month, usually around the same date each month. The exact date depends on when Experian updates its records, which can vary slightly. You will see the update date displayed next to your score so you know how current the information is.

If you check your score multiple times in a single month, you will see the same number until the next monthly update occurs. This is normal and expected — credit scores do not change daily, even though the information behind them may shift.

The Difference Between Checking Your Score and Hard Inquiries

Viewing your credit score through Bank of America is a soft inquiry, which means it does not lower your credit score or show up on your credit report to lenders. You can check it as many times as you want without any negative effect. This is different from a hard inquiry, which happens when you explore for a credit card, loan, or mortgage and a lender pulls your full credit report.

Hard inquiries can lower your score by a few points and stay on your report for about a year. Soft inquiries, like the one Bank of America performs when you view your score, do not count against you. This is why it is safe to check your score regularly to monitor your credit health.

What to Do If You Cannot Access Your Score

If you log in and do not see a Credit Monitoring section, the feature may not be enabled on your account. Try enrolling through the "Accounts & Services" menu or contact Bank of America customer service to turn it on. Some older accounts or accounts opened before the feature was available may need manual set up.

If you are having trouble logging into your Bank of America account itself, you can reset your password on the login page or call customer service at the number on the back of your debit card. Once you regain access to your account, the credit score tool should be available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does checking my credit score through Bank of America hurt my credit?

No. Bank of America performs a soft inquiry when you view your score, which does not lower your credit score or appear on your credit report to lenders. You can check it as often as you want without any negative impact.

Can I see my credit score if I do not have a Bank of America credit card?

Yes. The credit score tool is available to anyone with a Bank of America checking or savings account and online banking access. You do not need a credit card with the bank to use this feature.

What if my Bank of America credit score is different from another score I saw?

Different companies may show you different credit scores because there are multiple scoring models and multiple credit bureaus. Bank of America shows your Experian FICO Score 8. Other lenders or services may pull from Equifax or TransUnion, or use a different scoring version. These variations are normal.

How do I dispute an error on my credit report if I see something wrong?

Bank of America's credit score tool shows your score and factors affecting it, but to dispute errors on your actual credit report, you need to contact Experian directly. You can file a dispute on Experian's website or by mail. Bank of America can point you toward Experian's dispute process if you ask customer service.