Banking » Reviews » Bank of America Advantage Relationship Checking Review
Advertiser Disclosure This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval. This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impacts any of the editorial content on The Smart Investor. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, The Smart Investor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. All products are presented without warranty.

Bank of America Advantage Relationship Checking Review

The BoFa Advantage Relationship is a top tier account, designed for those who carry a larger balance and want to get more than basic features
Author: Lorraine Smithills
Lorraine Smithills

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Lorraine is a freelance finance writer with years of experience in the banking sector and after a successful career in one of the largest retail and commercial financial services providers. She has a passion for helping people with less financial confidence to get control of their money through budgeting, saving, and responsible credit practices.
Interest Rates Last Update: March 1, 2024
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Lorraine Smithills
Lorraine Smithills

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Lorraine is a freelance finance writer with years of experience in the banking sector and after a successful career in one of the largest retail and commercial financial services providers. She has a passion for helping people with less financial confidence to get control of their money through budgeting, saving, and responsible credit practices.
Interest Rates Last Update: March 1, 2024

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Bank of America Advantage Relationship Banking

Fees

$25 Can be waived if you have a combined balance of at least $10,000 across your linked, eligible accounts or if you are enrolled in the Preferred Rewards scheme

Minimum Deposit

$100

Our Rating

4.1
4.1/5

APY Checking

0.01% – 0.02%

Bank of America Advantage Relationship Banking

Fees

$25 Can be waived if you have a combined balance of at least $10,000 across your linked, eligible accounts or if you are enrolled in the Preferred Rewards scheme

Minimum Deposit

$100

Our Rating

4.1
4.1/5

APY Checking

0.01% – 0.02%

Bank of America is one of the largest banks in the U.S offering a variety of account options, including checking accounts.

The Advantage Relationship Banking account is the top tier checking account option designed for those who carry a larger balance in their account.

This account has the highest monthly maintenance fee of all Bank of America’s checking accounts, but it does offer more features and benefits which may provide greater value for you.

BoFa Advantage Relationship: Account Features

Bank of America Advantage Relationship comes with a variety of features and benefits that are designed to those who want to get more than the basic acocunts. In this section, we will explore these features:

The Bank of America Advantage Relationship Banking account is an interest bearing checking account with a (low) tiered APY of 0.01% – 0.02%. The account is designed for those with a larger balance, so the lowest tier is up to $50,000.

The account carries a $25 monthly maintenance fee, but this can be waived if you have a combined balance of at least $10,000 across your linked, eligible accounts or if you are enrolled in the Preferred Rewards scheme.

The Bank of America app offers great ease of use to manage almost every aspect of your account using your smartphone. The app also has Zelle integrated into the platform, making it very easy to send or receive payments between family members or friends.

BofA Transfer Money Zelle
Send or receive money with Zelle (Screenshot from Bank Of America app)

The Bank of America platform features smart money management tools which Advantage Relationship Banking customers can access. This includes the ability to set custom alerts and savings goals, which make it easier to take control of your finances and work towards your financial goals.

BofA spending chart
(Screenshot from Bank Of America app)

Bank of America offers a $0 Liability Guarantee, which means that if your card is lost or stolen, any fraudulent transactions made using the card will be credited back to your account in as little time as one business day.

This is becoming a less common feature with checking accounts, but the Advantage Relationship Banking account has check writing abilities. In fact, checks are offered free of charge or at a discounted rate depending on your check preferences.

Benefits of Bank of America Advantage Relationship
Bank of America has a large network of more than 16,000 fee free ATMs. (Photo by Sundry Photography/Shutterstock)

What Are the Main Differences Between This Account and SafeBalance or Advantage Plus?

SafeBalance and Advantage Plus are Bank of America’s lower-tier checking accounts. While there are some similarities between the accounts, some key differences may determine which account is the best choice for you.

The most obvious difference between the accounts is the monthly maintenance fees. Bank Of America SafeBalance is the most basic checking account with the lowest monthly fee, which is currently $4.95. Likewise, the Advantage Plus account has a lower fee compared to Advantage Relationship Banking. Additionally, the waiver criteria is different, with more easily met criteria with the lower tier accounts.

Another key difference is that while Advantage Relationship Banking is interest bearing, neither the SafeBalance or Advantage Plus accounts offer interest, regardless of your balance.

Some of the other main differences appear between the SafeBalance and the other two accounts. This includes that SafeBalance has a lower initial deposit requirement, but it does not have check writing capabilities or overdraft protection.

BaFa Advantage Relationship Banking: Pros And Cons

There is no simple answer to this question, as it will depend on your unique preferences and requirements. However, there are both pros and cons which could highlight if it is a good account for you.

Pros
Cons
Access BankAmeriDeals
Balance Requirement for Fee Waiver
Lock and Unlock Your Card
Minimum Opening Deposit
Mobile Check Deposit
Low APY
Access to a Large ATM Network
Overdraft Protection

With this account you can access exclusive offers at participating restaurants and stores.

Within the Advantage Relationship Banking dashboard or app, you can lock and unlock your card as you need it. 

If you misplace or lose your card, you can lock your card until you find it and any returns, autopay and credits will continue to be processed.

BofA Manage debit Card
Example: manage Bofa debit card (Screenshot taken by our team from Bank Of America app)

The Bank of America app allows you to deposit checks without needing to visit a branch or app. 

You can simply enter a few details and take a photo of the check and Bank of America will process it.

BofA Mobile Deposit
(Screenshot from Bank Of America app)

Bank of America has a large network of more than 16,000 fee free ATMs.

You can opt into Balance Connect, which is Bank of America’s overdraft protection. It allows you to link up to five Bank of America accounts that you can draw from if you overspend. This does incur a $12 fee, but this is lower than the $35 overdraft charge.

It is possible to waive Bank Of America's monthly fee, but you do need to maintain a $10,000 balance across linked, eligible accounts.

Although there are no ongoing balance requirements, you do need to open the account with at least $100, which may provide a barrier for some customers.

The APY for this account is tiered, but even the higher tiers offer a fairly low APY, which does not stand up to comparison with a number of online checking accounts that don’t have the same balance tiers.

Which Type of Customer is Best Suited To This Account?

This Bank of America Advantage Relationship Banking account is a premium checking account, so it is best suited to those who tend to carry a large balance in their checking account or would have a large combined balance across multiple accounts.

However, this account may appeal to those who want to have check writing abilities with no charge, overdraft protection and interest on your balance.

While you’ll earn the lowest APY if you have less than $50,000 in your account, you may appreciate this account, particularly if you already have other Bank of America accounts.

How to Open a BoFa Advantage Relationship Account?

You can open an Advantage Relationship Banking account at a local branch or using the Bank of America website.

  1. Navigate to the Advantage Relationship Banking Page: From the Bank of America homepage, you will find Advantage Relationship Banking under the “checking” tab on the top bar. You will then be presented with an overview of the account and if you’re ready to proceed, you can click on “open account.”
  2. Answer the Initial Questions: You’ll be redirected to an introduction screen with a few simple questions. This includes if you want to open a BoFa savings account with your Advantage Relationship Banking Account. You will also need to confirm if you are an existing Bank of America customer.
  3. Complete the Application Form: You’ll need to answer the mandatory questions including your full name, contact information, Social security Number, date of birth and some basic financial details.
  4. Add a Co-Owner: There is an option to add a co-owner to your new account. If you do want to create a joint account, you will need to indicate it in the box and then you’ll need to provide the full details for the second person.
  5. Complete Account Set Up: You can save your application at any point, but when you’re ready, you can complete the account setup including providing funding details for the initial deposit of at least $100. You can then review the terms and conditions, and submit your application. After opening, you can set up a BoFa direct deposit and use the rest of the features it offers.
Top Offers From Our Partners

Chase_logo

Promotion:
$300 New Chase checking customers enjoy a $300 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account and make direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment.. Expired on 4/17/2024
Chase Overdraft Assist
With Chase Overdraft AssistSM, you won’t be charged an Overdraft Fee 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 you bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day

UpgradeLogo

Fees:
No monthly fees No monthly fees and no overdraft fees. Plus get reimbursed for ATM fees with an active account 
Rewards:
Up to 2% cash back Up to 2% cash back on common everyday expenses for active accounts with monthly $1,000 direct deposit, and up to 1% cash back for other purchases 
Promotion:
$300 Use Promo Code “AXOS300” for a $300 bonus when you apply for a Rewards Checking account
Up to 3.30% APY
to get the maximum rate (up to $50,000) you'll need monthly direct deposits of $1,500 (0.40% APY), 10 transaction on your debit card (+0.30% APY), average daily balance of $2,500 on Axos Invest Managed Portfolio (+1.00% APY), average daily balance of $2,500 on Axos Invest Self Directed Trading Account(+1.00% APY) and make full monthly payment on loans (mortgage, personal and auto) with Axos account (+0.60% APY).

Promotion:
Up to $4,000 New customers may earn up to $4,000 when they open an eligible HSBC Premier checking account from January 8, 2024 through March 27, 2024 and complete qualifying activities:

• Receive a cash bonus of $1,500 when you deposit or invest $100,000 – $199,999.99

• Receive a cash bonus of $2,000 when you deposit or invest $200,000 – $299,999.99

• Receive a cash bonus of $2,500 when you deposit or invest $300,000 – 499,999.99

• Receive a cash bonus of $3,500 when you deposit or invest $500,000+

• Earn an extra $500 when you set up recurring monthly Direct Deposits totaling at least $5,000 for 3 months
Wealth Products & Advice
Get access to wealth products, insights and advice from an HSBC Financial Professional through HSBC Securities (USA) Inc
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

Chase_logo

Promotion:
$300 New Chase checking customers enjoy a $300 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account and make direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment.. Expired on 4/17/2024
Chase Overdraft Assist
With Chase Overdraft AssistSM, you won’t be charged an Overdraft Fee 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 you bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day

UpgradeLogo

Fees:
No monthly fees No monthly fees and no overdraft fees. Plus get reimbursed for ATM fees with an active account 
Rewards:
Up to 2% cash back Up to 2% cash back on common everyday expenses for active accounts with monthly $1,000 direct deposit, and up to 1% cash back for other purchases 
Promotion:
$300 Use Promo Code “AXOS300” for a $300 bonus when you apply for a Rewards Checking account
Up to 3.30% APY
to get the maximum rate (up to $50,000) you'll need monthly direct deposits of $1,500 (0.40% APY), 10 transaction on your debit card (+0.30% APY), average daily balance of $2,500 on Axos Invest Managed Portfolio (+1.00% APY), average daily balance of $2,500 on Axos Invest Self Directed Trading Account(+1.00% APY) and make full monthly payment on loans (mortgage, personal and auto) with Axos account (+0.60% APY).

Promotion:
Up to $4,000 New customers may earn up to $4,000 when they open an eligible HSBC Premier checking account from January 8, 2024 through March 27, 2024 and complete qualifying activities:

• Receive a cash bonus of $1,500 when you deposit or invest $100,000 – $199,999.99

• Receive a cash bonus of $2,000 when you deposit or invest $200,000 – $299,999.99

• Receive a cash bonus of $2,500 when you deposit or invest $300,000 – 499,999.99

• Receive a cash bonus of $3,500 when you deposit or invest $500,000+

• Earn an extra $500 when you set up recurring monthly Direct Deposits totaling at least $5,000 for 3 months
Wealth Products & Advice
Get access to wealth products, insights and advice from an HSBC Financial Professional through HSBC Securities (USA) Inc
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

FAQs

It depends on your needs. In terms of checking options and variety of options, BoFa is one of the best banks in the nation. However, when it comes to deposit rates, there are better places to put your money. Here you can find the main pros and cons of Bank Of America.

Yes, Advantage Relationship Banking does earn interest on your balance. The account has a tiered APY structure of 0.01% – 0.02%, but you’ll need at least $50,000 in the account to access the higher rates.

Bank of America does periodically offer promotions for new customers. You’ll need to look out for promo codes and be sure to enter the code on the first screen of the application form.

The easiest way to close a Bank of America account is to either call into a branch or call the customer support line. A Bank of America representative can guide you through the closure process and initiate the account closure.

How We Review Checking Accounts: Our Methodology

The Smart Investor team has conducted a comprehensive review of checking accounts offered by various banks, taking into account several key factors to provide a thorough evaluation. Here's how we rated them across four important categories:

  • Checking Account Features (60%): We meticulously assessed the features and benefits associated with each bank's checking accounts. Factors considered include account fees, minimum balance requirements, ATM access, overdraft protection, online and mobile banking functionalities, and additional perks such as rewards programs. Higher ratings were awarded to banks offering a wide range of features and benefits that cater to diverse customer needs, ensuring convenience and flexibility in managing finances.

  • Customer Experience (20%): A positive customer experience is essential in banking, so we evaluated each bank's performance in this area. This included assessing the ease of account opening, quality of customer service, availability of support channels, and overall user satisfaction. Ratings were based on factors such as responsiveness, efficiency, and the bank's commitment to meeting customer needs, ensuring a seamless and satisfactory banking experience.

  • Diversity of Other Financial Products (10%): We also considered the diversity of other financial products offered by each bank, such as savings accounts, loans, credit cards, and investment options. Higher ratings were given to banks with a comprehensive suite of financial products, allowing customers to meet their various banking and financial needs in one place.

  • Bank Reputation (10%): The reputation of a bank is a crucial factor in decision-making. We examined factors such as financial stability, regulatory compliance, and public perception to determine each institution's overall trustworthiness and reliability. Higher ratings were assigned to banks with strong reputations, reflecting their credibility and ability to inspire confidence among customers.

By considering these categories and assigning appropriate weights to each, our review aims to provide valuable insights to help individuals make informed decisions when selecting a checking account

Checking Accounts Reviews

Lorraine Smithills

Lorraine Smithills

Lorraine is a freelance finance writer with years of experience in the banking sector and after a successful career in one of the largest retail and commercial financial services providers. She has a passion for helping people with less financial confidence to get control of their money through budgeting, saving, and responsible credit practices.
Search
Best Checking Accounts
Top Offers From Our Partners

Chase_logo

Promotion:
$300 New Chase checking customers enjoy a $300 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account and make direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment.. Expired on 4/17/2024
Chase Overdraft Assist
With Chase Overdraft AssistSM, you won’t be charged an Overdraft Fee 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 you bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day

UpgradeLogo

Fees:
No monthly fees No monthly fees and no overdraft fees. Plus get reimbursed for ATM fees with an active account 
Rewards:
Up to 2% cash back Up to 2% cash back on common everyday expenses for active accounts with monthly $1,000 direct deposit, and up to 1% cash back for other purchases 
Promotion:
$300 Use Promo Code “AXOS300” for a $300 bonus when you apply for a Rewards Checking account
Up to 3.30% APY
to get the maximum rate (up to $50,000) you’ll need monthly direct deposits of $1,500 (0.40% APY), 10 transaction on your debit card (+0.30% APY), average daily balance of $2,500 on Axos Invest Managed Portfolio (+1.00% APY), average daily balance of $2,500 on Axos Invest Self Directed Trading Account(+1.00% APY) and make full monthly payment on loans (mortgage, personal and auto) with Axos account (+0.60% APY).

PNC bank logo

Promotion:
Up to $400 Open a new, select Virtual Wallet product and receive $500/$2,000/$5,000 or more in qualifying monthly direct deposits within 60 days to earn a $100/$200/$400 bonus.
Subject to state availability
PNC Virtual Wallet ® is available in AL, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, NM, OH, PA, SC, TX, VA, WI, and WV. Virtual Wallet ® is offered in the state of MO with the exception of the Greater Kansas City area. Product availability may vary based on where you open your account and the Zip code of your primary

Promotion:
Up to $4,000 New customers may earn up to $4,000 when they open an eligible HSBC Premier checking account from January 8, 2024 through March 27, 2024 and complete qualifying activities:

• Receive a cash bonus of $1,500 when you deposit or invest $100,000 – $199,999.99

• Receive a cash bonus of $2,000 when you deposit or invest $200,000 – $299,999.99

• Receive a cash bonus of $2,500 when you deposit or invest $300,000 – 499,999.99

• Receive a cash bonus of $3,500 when you deposit or invest $500,000+

• Earn an extra $500 when you set up recurring monthly Direct Deposits totaling at least $5,000 for 3 months
Wealth Products & Advice
Get access to wealth products, insights and advice from an HSBC Financial Professional through HSBC Securities (USA) Inc
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

UpgradeLogo

Savings Rate: 5.21% APY
Minimum Deposit:
$0
 
CIT-Bank-Logo
Savings Rate: 5.05% APY
Minimum Deposit:
$5,000
Quontic bank logo
Savings Rate: 4.50% APY
Minimum Deposit:
$100
 
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

Table of Contents