December 30, 2023

Does Bank of America Have a High Yield Savings?

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Bank of America offers various banking products and services. But does it have a high-yield savings account? Find out here.

High-yield savings accounts have become popular for their impressive rates. And, many online banks currently have at least one in their offerings.

But what about a brick-and-mortar institution like Bank of America? Unfortunately, they don't. Read on to learn more and find out what they have available instead.

Does Bank of America Have a High-Yield Savings?

As of now, Bank of America does not have a high-yield savings option. It only offers a basic savings account, called Bank of America Advantage Savings, which has an insignificant 0.01% APY.


How satisfied are you with the current yield on your savings account?

What Is Bank of America Advantage Savings?

Bank of America Advantage Savings is a standard savings account with a very low 0.01% APY. Low rates on savings accounts are quite common among traditional banks, unfortunately.

However, Bank of America does have a Preferred Rewards program that gives slightly higher rates than their standard offering.

It has four tiers based on a member's 3-month combined average daily balance:[1]

  • Gold: $20,000 to $49,999
  • Platinum: $50,000 to $99,999
  • Platinum Honors: $100,000 to $999,999
  • Diamond: $1,000,000 or more

But even with the rewards program, the rates may not be as attractive compared to most online high-yield savings accounts.

To be a Preferred Rewards member, you must have an active, eligible Bank of America checking account and a 3-month average combined balance of at least $20,000 or higher.

Fees to Look Out For

Bank of America's savings account has some fees you need to be aware of. These are:[2]

  • $100 minimum opening deposit
  • $8 monthly service fee
  • $2.50 out-of-network ATM fee within the U.S.
  • $30 outgoing domestic wire transfer fee

But you can waive the monthly charge if you are able to meet any of the following criteria:[3]

  • Are under 25 years old
  • Maintain a daily balance of at least $500
  • Have a Bank of America Advantage Savings account linked to a Bank of America Advantage Relationship Banking®, Bank of America Advantage® with Tiered Interest Checking, or Bank of America Advantage® Regular Checking account (first 4 savings accounts)
  • Are a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member

Also, if you are new to opening a Bank of America Advantage Savings account, you get to waive the monthly maintenance fee for 6 months.

How Bank of America Savings Compares

Have you ever considered switching banks for a better savings account yield?

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Access to thousands of ATMs and financial centers
  • ATM card available
  • FDIC-insured

Cons

  • Very low rates
  • $8 monthly service fee
  • $100 opening deposit requirement

Can You Lose Money with Bank of America Advantage Savings?

Generally, you can't lose money with the Bank of America Advantage Savings Account.

Bank of America is an FDIC member (Cert #3510) so your deposits are insured by the FDIC up to $250,000 for individual accounts and $500,000 for joint accounts.

This means you're guaranteed to get your money back should the bank fail. However, the $8 monthly service charge can reduce your balance if you are unable to waive the fees.

Is Bank of America Savings Worth It?

If you're simply looking for a safe place to stow your money away, Bank of America's savings account is a good choice.

It is a trusted bank that allows users easy access to their money through their wide network of finance centers and ATMs and through online banking.

But if your goal is to earn passively through high rates, then this account is not for you. You're better off checking out online banks and credit unions that offer high-yield savings options.

How to Open a Bank of America Savings Account

You can open a Bank of America savings account in person or online. Here's how to do it through their official website:

  1. Go to Bank of America's Advantage Savings page and select Open Now.
  2. Fill out the application form with your information.
  3. Fund your account with at least $100 and you're good to go.

How do I fund a Bank of America savings account?
You can fund your new account by transferring funds from another bank account. If you're already a Bank of America client, you can move money from your current account. You can also use a debit card, check, or money order for the initial deposit.[4]

Bottom Line

Even though Bank of America Advantage Savings is reliable and convenient, it is not a high-yield savings account. You can't earn passively or make your money work harder, which makes it unappealing to some.

Regardless, it is a good account to consider — especially if it aligns with your financial goals and preferences!

References

  1. ^ Bank of America. Preferred Rewards, Retrieved 11/17/2023
  2. ^ Bank of America. Bank Account Fees, Retrieved 12/06/2023
  3. ^ Bank of America. Personal Schedule of Fees, Retrieved 11/17/2023
  4. ^ Bank of America. Applying for Bank Accounts FAQs, Retrieved 11/17/2023
Bank of America
Member FDIC

Bank of America Advantage Banking - $300 Bonus Offer

Expires 1/31/2025
  • The $300 bonus offer is an online only offer and must be opened through the Bank of America promotional page.
  • The offer is for new checking customers only.
  • Offer expires 01/31/2025.
  • To qualify, open a new eligible Bank of America Advantage Banking account through the promotional page and set up and receive Qualifying Direct Deposits* totaling $2,000 or more into that new eligible account within 90 days of account opening. Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking® for Family Banking accounts are not eligible for this offer.
  • Once all requirements are met, Bank of America will attempt to pay bonus within 60 days.
  • Additional terms and conditions apply. See offer page for more details.
  • *A Qualifying Direct Deposit is a direct deposit of regular monthly income – such as your salary, pension or Social Security benefits, which are made by your employer or other payer – using account and routing numbers that you provide to them.
  • Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC.
Chase
Member FDIC

Chase Total Checking® - $300 Bonus

Expires 1/22/2025
  • New Chase checking customers enjoy a $300 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account with qualifying activities
  • With over 4,700 branches, Chase has the largest branch network in the U.S. plus access to more than 15,000 ATMs.
  • Chase Mobile® app - Manage your accounts, deposit checks, transfer money and more -- all from your device.
  • JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC
  • Open your account online now
  • Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com.
  • Chase Overdraft Assist℠ - no overdraft fees if you're overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day or if you're overdrawn by more than $50 and bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day*
US Bank
Member FDIC

U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking - Up to $450 Bonus

Expires 12/30/2024
Earn up to $450 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities. Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through December 30, 2024. Member FDIC.

Earn up to $450 with a new Bank Smartly Checking account. Complete the following within 90 days of account opening:

  • Enroll in online banking or the U.S. Bank Mobile App
  • Make two or more direct deposits(s) totaling $2,000 to $4,999.99 to earn $250, $5,000 to $7,999.99 to earn $350 or $8,000 or more to earn $450.

Fund your new account within 30 days to start qualifying activities. Offer may not be available if you are an existing U.S. Bank customer or live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint.

Discover Bank
Member FDIC

Discover® Online Savings - $200 Cash Bonus

Expires 3/13/2025

To qualify for Bonus: Apply for your first Discover Online Savings Account, enter Offer Code CY924 at application, deposit into your Account a total of at least $15,000 to earn a $150 Bonus or deposit a total of at least $25,000 to earn a $200 Bonus. Qualifying deposit(s) may consist of multiple deposits and must post to Account within 45 days of account open date. Maximum bonus eligibility is $200.

What to know: Offer not valid for existing or prior Discover savings customers, including co-branded, or affinity accounts. Eligibility is based on primary account owner. Account must be open when bonus is credited. Bonus will be credited to the account within 60 days of the account qualifying for the bonus. Bonus is subject to tax reporting. Offer ends 03/13/2025, 11:59 PM ET. Offer may be modified or withdrawn without notice. Due to new customer funding limits, you may wish to initiate fund transfers at your other institution. For information on funding your Account, see FAQs on Discover.com/Bank. See advertiser website for full details.

CIT Bank
Member FDIC

CIT Bank Platinum Savings - 4.35% APY

  • 4.35% APY with a balance of $5,000 or more
  • 0.25% APY with a balance of less than $5,000
  • $100 minimum opening deposit
  • No monthly maintenance fee
  • Member FDIC

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Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.

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About CreditDonkey
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Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed on this page are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

†Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which CreditDonkey receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CreditDonkey does not include all companies or all offers that may be available in the marketplace.

*See the card issuer's online application for details about terms and conditions. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However, all information is presented without warranty. When you click on the "Apply Now" button you can review the terms and conditions on the card issuer's website.

CreditDonkey does not know your individual circumstances and provides information for general educational purposes only. CreditDonkey is not a substitute for, and should not be used as, professional legal, credit or financial advice. You should consult your own professional advisors for such advice.

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