Setting Up Automatic Payments in Bank of America

How to set up automatic payments in Bank of America

Bank of America lets you set up automatic payments through online banking, the mobile app, or by phone. You choose the payee, the amount, and how often the payment goes out — weekly, twice monthly, monthly, or on a date you pick. The payment leaves your account on the schedule you set, so you don't have to remember to pay the same bill twice.

Automatic payments work for bills you pay regularly: utilities, insurance, loan payments, credit cards, rent, or subscriptions. You can set them up for a fixed amount (like a mortgage payment that stays the same) or a variable amount (like a credit card bill that changes each month). Bank of America processes the payment a few business days before the due date to give it time to arrive.

Key Takeaways

• You can set up automatic payments through online banking, the mobile app, or by calling Bank of America customer service at the number on your card.
• Automatic payments can be scheduled weekly, twice monthly, monthly, or on a specific date each month that you choose.
• You can pay any company or person who has a mailing address, including utilities, insurance companies, government agencies, and individuals.
• Bank of America sends the payment three to five business days before your chosen date, so the money arrives on time even if mail is slow.
• You can change or cancel any automatic payment at any time through online banking or the app without calling customer service.

Setting up automatic payments through online banking

Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com. Click on the account you want to pay from, then look for "Pay Bills" or "Transfers & Payments" in the menu. Select "Set Up a New Payee" if this is the first time you're paying this company or person.

Enter the payee's name and mailing address exactly as it appears on your bill or statement. Bank of America will mail a check from your account to this address. If you're setting up a payment to a person (like rent to a landlord), use their name and the address where they want the check sent. Click "Continue" and Bank of America will confirm the payee information.

Next, choose the account to pay from, the amount, and the payment date. If the bill amount changes each month (like a credit card), you can enter a variable amount and update it each time, or you can set a fixed amount. Select how often the payment repeats: one time only, weekly, twice monthly, monthly, or on a specific date each month. Review the details and confirm.

Setting up automatic payments through the mobile app

Open the Bank of America mobile app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines). Select "Pay Bills" or "Transfers & Payments," then tap "Set Up a New Payee." The steps are the same as online banking: enter the payee name and address, choose your account and payment amount, pick the frequency, and confirm.

The mobile app shows you a preview of your scheduled payments before you confirm, so you can catch any errors. Once you confirm, the payment is scheduled and you'll see it listed in your upcoming payments. You can edit or cancel it from the same menu at any time.

Paying by phone

Call the number on the back of your Bank of America debit or credit card. A representative will ask for the payee name and address, the account you want to pay from, the amount, and how often you want the payment to go out. They'll confirm the details with you before the payment is scheduled.

Payments set up by phone appear in your online banking and mobile app within a few hours, so you can see them listed with your other scheduled payments. You can still edit or cancel them through online banking or the app if you need to make changes.

How long it takes for the payment to arrive

Bank of America mails the check three to five business days before the date you choose. This timing gives the check time to travel through the mail and arrive by your due date. If you schedule a payment for the 15th of the month, Bank of America sends it around the 10th or 11th.

The actual arrival time depends on how far the check has to travel and how quickly the payee's mail is processed. Local payments usually arrive within five to seven business days of being mailed. Payments to other states may take seven to ten business days. If a payment is critical and time is short, call the payee to ask if they accept online payments or electronic transfers, which are faster than mailed checks.

Changing or canceling a payment

Log into online banking or the mobile app and go to "Pay Bills" or "Transfers & Payments." Find the payment you want to change in your list of scheduled payments. You can edit the amount, the date, or the frequency without canceling and starting over. If you want to stop a payment entirely, select "Cancel" and confirm.

Cancellations take effect when ready in your account, but if the check has already been mailed, you won't be able to stop it. Bank of America shows you the status of each payment — "Scheduled," "Sent," or "Delivered" — so you know whether it's still in your control. If a check was sent and you need to stop it, contact the payee directly and ask them not to cash it.

Payments to variable amounts

If your bill changes each month (like a credit card balance or utility bill), you have two options. You can set up a fixed automatic payment for the minimum or average amount, then pay the rest manually when the bill arrives. Or you can set up the automatic payment as a reminder and update the amount each time before it processes.

To update a variable payment, log into online banking or the app, find the payment in your scheduled list, and edit the amount. Make the change at least one business day before the payment date so Bank of America has time to process it. Some people set their automatic payment to go out a few days after their bill arrives, giving them time to see the final amount and adjust if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set up an automatic payment to someone who doesn't have a business?

Yes. You can pay any person with a mailing address, including a landlord, family member, or contractor. Enter their name and the address where they want the check sent. Bank of America will mail a check from your account to that address on your scheduled date.

What happens if I don't have enough money in my account when the payment is due?

Bank of America will attempt to process the payment. If your account doesn't have enough funds, the payment may be rejected or you may be charged an overdraft fee. Check your account balance before the payment date, or set up a transfer from another account to cover it.

Can I set up automatic payments from a savings account?

Yes. You can schedule automatic payments from any Bank of America checking or savings account. The process is the same whether you choose a checking account or savings account — just select the account you want to pay from when you set up the payment.

How do I know if my automatic payment went through?

Log into online banking or the mobile app and check your transaction history or scheduled payments list. Bank of America shows the status of each payment and the date it was sent. You can also look at your account balance to see if the money left your account.

Can I set up automatic payments to pay myself or transfer money between my own accounts?

For transfers between your own Bank of America accounts, use the "Transfers" feature instead of "Pay Bills" — it's faster and doesn't require a mailing address. For payments to yourself at another bank, set up the other bank's account as a payee and Bank of America will mail a check or transfer the funds electronically, depending on the bank.