Where to find your credit score in Bank of America
Bank of America shows your credit score for free in two places: the mobile app and the online banking website. You do not need to pay for it, and checking it does not hurt your credit. The score appears on your account dashboard once you log in.
On the mobile app, tap the menu icon, then select "Credit Score" or "Credit Monitoring." On the website, log into your account and look for "Credit Score" in the left navigation menu or under "Account Services." The score updates monthly, usually around the same date each month.
Bank of America pulls this score from Experian, one of the three major credit bureaus. This means the score you see reflects information Experian has on file about you—your payment history, how much credit you are using, how long you have had accounts open, and other factors. It is the same score a lender might see when you apply for a loan or credit card, though different lenders may use different scoring models.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America displays your Experian credit score free in the mobile app and online banking portal, updated monthly.
- Checking your own credit score does not lower it; only credit inquiries from lenders when you apply for credit count against you.
- The score you see is based on your payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, and other factors Experian tracks.
- You can also request a free credit report from all three bureaus once per year at AnnualCreditReport.com to verify the information behind your score.
What the score number means
Credit scores range from 300 to 850. The higher your score, the lower the risk you pose to a lender. Most lenders consider scores of 670 and above "good" or better, though the exact thresholds vary by lender and loan type.
A score of 300 to 669 typically means you will face higher interest rates or stricter terms if you borrow. A score of 670 to 739 is generally considered good. A score of 740 to 799 is very good. A score of 800 and above is excellent. These ranges are not official—different lenders use different cutoffs—but they reflect how most lenders treat scores in practice.
Your Bank of America score is a snapshot of your credit risk on the day it was calculated. It changes as your credit behavior changes: paying bills on time raises it, missing a payment or running up balances lowers it. The score lags behind your actions by a few weeks because it takes time for payments and new balances to report to Experian.
Why Bank of America shows only one score
Bank of America displays your Experian score because that is the bureau they have a relationship with. You actually have three credit scores—one from Experian, one from Equifax, and one from TransUnion—and they can differ. Each bureau collects slightly different information, and lenders report to them at different times.
When you apply for a mortgage, auto loan, or credit card, the lender may pull from one, two, or all three bureaus. They may also use a different scoring model than the one Bank of America shows you. For example, mortgage lenders often use FICO Score 2, 4, or 5, while auto lenders use FICO Auto Scores. Bank of America shows you a general-purpose FICO score, which is useful for understanding your credit health but may not match the exact score a lender sees.
To see all three scores and verify the information behind them, you can order your credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com, the official site run by the three bureaus. The reports themselves are free once per year; the scores cost extra if you buy them from that site, but many credit card companies and financial institutions also show free scores from other bureaus.
How checking your score affects your credit
Checking your own credit score through Bank of America does not lower your score. Bank of America performs what is called a "soft inquiry" when you view your score—it is a look-up for your own information, not a credit application. Soft inquiries do not appear on your credit report and do not affect your score.
A "hard inquiry" is different. When you apply for a credit card, loan, or mortgage, the lender pulls your credit report to decide whether to lend to you. That hard inquiry shows up on your credit report and typically lowers your score by a few points. Multiple hard inquiries within a short time (usually 14 to 45 days, depending on the scoring model) may count as a single inquiry if they are for the same type of credit, so shopping for a mortgage or auto loan over a few weeks usually does not hurt as much as applying for five credit cards in one week.
You can check your Bank of America score as often as you want without penalty. Many people check monthly to track their progress or spot errors.
What to do if your score seems wrong
If your Bank of America score looks lower than you expected, the first step is to check your credit report for errors. You can order free reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Look for accounts you do not recognize, payments marked as late that you made on time, or balances that are higher than they should be.
Common errors include a payment reported as late when you paid on time, a debt listed twice, or an account that belongs to someone else (identity theft). If you find an error, you can dispute it directly with the bureau that reported it. The bureau has 30 days to investigate and must correct or remove the information if it is wrong. You can also dispute the error with the creditor who reported it.
If your score is accurate but lower than you want, the fastest way to raise it is to pay down credit card balances. Your credit utilization—how much of your available credit you are using—makes up about 30 percent of your score. If you are using 50 percent or more of your available credit, paying that down to below 30 percent can raise your score noticeably within a month or two.
How often Bank of America updates your score
Bank of America updates your credit score once per month. The update date varies by account but usually falls on the same day each month. You will see a notification in the app or on the website when your score updates.
The monthly update reflects information Experian has received from creditors in the previous month. If you made a large payment, opened a new account, or had a late payment reported, it may take 30 to 45 days to show up in your score because creditors report on different schedules and the bureaus process reports in batches.
Other credit monitoring tools Bank of America offers
Beyond your monthly score, Bank of America provides credit monitoring alerts if you have a Bank of America credit card or certain other accounts. These alerts notify you of significant changes to your credit report, such as a new account opened in your name or a large increase in debt. This can help you spot fraud or errors quickly.
Bank of America also offers identity theft protection and credit monitoring as add-ons to some accounts or credit cards, though these are not free. The free credit score and basic monitoring are included with most Bank of America checking and savings accounts.
If you want more detailed credit monitoring or scores from all three bureaus, you can use free services like Credit Karma (which shows Equifax and TransUnion scores) or Credit Sesame (which shows Experian scores). These services are funded by lenders and credit card companies, so they show you ads and offers, but the scores and reports are free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bank of America charge for checking my credit score?
No. Bank of America shows your Experian credit score free to customers with most checking, savings, and credit card accounts. You can check it as often as you want without paying or affecting your score.
Why is my Bank of America score different from the score another lender quoted me?
Different lenders use different scoring models and pull from different bureaus. Bank of America shows your Experian score, but a mortgage lender might pull from all three bureaus and use a mortgage-specific scoring model. Scores can also differ because of timing—your score changes as new information reports to the bureaus.
Can I see my credit score if I do not have a Bank of America credit card?
Yes. Bank of America shows your credit score if you have a checking account, savings account, or most other Bank of America products. You do not need a credit card. Log into your online banking or mobile app to find it.
How long does it take for a payment to show up in my credit score?
Typically 30 to 45 days. Your creditor reports the payment to Experian, and Experian updates your credit report and score monthly. If you made a payment this week, it may not show in your score until next month's update.
What should I do if I see fraud on my credit report?
Contact the creditor and the bureau immediately. File a dispute with Experian at their website or by phone. If you believe your identity has been stolen, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on your accounts.