What Credit Bureau Does Bank of America Use?

Bank of America mainly uses Experian for credit checks, though it may also pull TransUnion reports in certain states. Understanding which credit bureau your bank uses is crucial when applying for new credit or making financial decisions related to credit.

If you’re a current or prospective Bank of America customer looking to understand or boost your credit score before applying for products like credit cards or loans, this article will guide you on which credit bureau Bank of America uses, helping you determine which credit report to review and how to enhance your credit score.

What Credit Bureau Does Bank of America Use?

Data indicates that Bank of America primarily relies on Experian, with Equifax and TransUnion used less frequently. Doctor of Credit data reveals that 82.17% of applications from various locations had their credit report pulled from Experian. TransUnion was used for 10.85% of applications, while Equifax accounted for 6.98%. Although Experian is primarily used, exceptions may occur depending on the state or the type of card you apply for, according to some research data.

By State

Additionally, crowdsourced data from Forbes reveals that Bank of America typically uses Experian for hard pulls all over many states. However, a few states saw more hard inquiries on TransUnion compared to the other credit bureaus. Check the table below for a detailed breakdown.

My Bank Tracker also offers a state-by-state overview based on data from the CreditBoards.com database, where individuals share their credit application outcomes to help others assess their chances of card approval. Here’s the information gathered:

All these data indicate that while Bank of America mainly pulls from Experian, there may be exceptions based on state-specific practices.

By Card Type

There’s not much evidence that Bank of America switches credit bureaus based on the type of card you apply for, and they don’t have a specific policy on this, as banks rarely disclose which credit bureau they use. However, data from HelpMeBuildCredit’s database—where users share their application experiences, approvals, and rejections—suggests that Bank of America mainly uses Experian for personal cards and TransUnion for business cards.

If you’d rather have your TransUnion report pulled for personal cards, you can freeze your Experian report to ensure Bank of America pulls from TransUnion. Alternatively, other credit card issuers that use TransUnion data include:

• Barclays
• Capital One
• Chase
• Fifth Third Bank
• U.S. Bank

When Does Bank of America Report to Credit Bureaus?

Bank of America generally reports to all three major credit bureaus roughly once a month. This reporting usually occurs around or just after the issuance of your monthly billing statement. While updates to your credit report may appear right away, it can sometimes take over a month for these changes to be fully reflected.

How to Access Your Credit Scores Through Bank of America

Bank of America has a feature that allows you to see your FICO® Score from TransUnion® for free to eligible customers with a consumer credit card. To see your credit score online, follow these steps:

1. Open Bank of America’s Online Banking.
2. Log into your Bank of America checking account.
3. Hover over the Tools & Investing.
4. Click on the FICO Score.

The platform will lead you to a page where you can see your Bank of America credit score. In addition to your credit score, you will see the entire history of your credit score and the factors affecting it.

Alternatively, you can also check your credit score via Bank of America’s mobile banking app. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Bank of America app on your phone.
2. Log into your checking account.
3. Go to the Dashboard.
4. Look for the My FICO Score button and tap on it.

You will then see your credit score and the factors affecting it.

Related article: How to Check Your Credit Score with Bank of America

Why It Matters

Learning what credit bureau Bank of America uses matters because it helps you know which credit report you should check and clean up before applying. Each of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—might have slightly different data on you.

If you know which bureau Bank of America will check, you can review your credit report from that bureau to ensure all information is correct and up-to-date, thus enhancing your chances of approval. Additionally, since each hard inquiry can impact your credit score, being informed can help you strategize your applications.

Steps to Move Forward

Thinking about getting a Bank of America credit card or another financial product? Make sure you’re ready and speed up the approval process by taking these proactive measures:

1. Contact Bank of America Directly

Before you apply, it’s a good idea to get in touch with Bank of America. You can do this either through their online customer service or by calling them at 1 315-724-4022.

Share your state of residence and the specific card or loan you’re interested in, and ask which credit bureau they’ll use for your report. They might not always share this information due to different policies, but sometimes direct confirmation from the lender can provide the exact details you need to prepare properly.

2. Work on Building Your Credit

Improving your credit report and score is essential for any financial endeavor involving credit. Here’s how you can boost your credit score effectively:

• Pay bills on time: Consistently paying your bills by their due date is one of the most significant factors in maintaining a good credit score. Set up automatic payments or reminders to avoid late payments.
• Reduce credit card balances: Keep your credit card balances low relative to your credit limits. Aim to use less than 30% of your available credit to improve your credit utilization ratio.
• Avoid opening too many new accounts: Each new credit inquiry can slightly lower your credit score. Only apply for new credit when necessary and space out applications.
• Maintain older credit accounts: Having a long credit history can positively impact your credit score. Keep older accounts open and active, even if you don’t use them frequently.
• Diversify your credit mix: A variety of credit types, such as installment loans and credit cards, can benefit your score. Avoid overextending yourself, but consider a mix of credit products.
• Regularly check your credit reports: Monitor your credit reports for errors or inaccuracies. Dispute any mistakes with the credit bureaus to ensure your report accurately reflects your financial behavior. You can get a free report weekly from annualcreditreport.com.

To make building your credit a breeze, try Cushion. This app takes care of reporting your bills and Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) payments to Experian every month. It’s perfect if you’re aiming for new credit from Bank of America, since the bank typically pulls from Experian. By using Cushion regularly, you can steadily boost your credit history and open up more attractive financial opportunities for you.

Related article: What is a Counter Credit on a Bank Statement?

Summary

When applying for a Bank of America credit card or opening a new checking account, knowing which credit bureau they use can help you prepare more effectively and potentially secure more favorable terms. Boost your chances of approval by regularly reviewing your credit reports, particularly from Experian. Additionally, reach out to Bank of America for more specific details, and take proactive steps to improve your credit score.