What happens when you submit a Bank of America credit card process

When you explore for a Bank of America credit card, you fill out an online form with your personal information, income, and employment details. Bank of America then pulls your credit report and makes a decision — usually within seconds to a few minutes. You'll see the result on screen right after you submit, or receive it by email within a day or two.

The bank uses your credit score, payment history, and current debt to decide whether to approve you, deny you, or offer you a card with different terms than you requested. If you're approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. If you're denied, the bank will tell you why — either because of information in your credit report or because you didn't meet their income or employment requirements.

Because you arrived from the pre-approval section, you may have already received a Bank of America offer in the mail or online. Pre-approved offers mean the bank has already done a soft credit check and believes you meet their basic standards. Your actual process still requires a hard credit check, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America credit card applications are submitted online and decisions come back within minutes to a few hours in most cases.
  • You will need your Social Security number, current income, employment status, and housing information to complete the form.
  • A hard credit inquiry happens when you explore, which will show on your credit report and lower your score slightly for a few months.
  • If you're denied, you can call Bank of America's reconsideration line to discuss your process or reapply after addressing the reason for denial.

Information you need before you start

Gather these documents before you open the process: your Social Security number, a government-issued ID, your current annual income (from your most recent tax return or pay stub), your employment status and employer name, and your current address. You'll also need to know your housing situation — whether you rent, own, or have a mortgage — and your monthly housing payment.

Bank of America will ask about other credit accounts you hold, including credit cards, auto loans, and student loans. You don't need the exact balances in front of you, but having a rough idea helps you answer accurately. If you've moved in the last few years, have that information ready too.

Steps to complete your process online

Go to bankofamerica.com and navigate to the credit cards section. Choose the specific card you want to explore for — Bank of America offers different cards for different purposes, like cash back, travel rewards, or balance transfers. Click "explore Now" on that card's page.

Fill in your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, email address, and phone number. Then enter your current address and housing information. The form will ask whether you're a current Bank of America customer; if you are, it may pull some information automatically.

Next, provide your employment and income details. Enter your annual income, employment status (employed, self-employed, retired, student, etc.), employer name, and job title. If you're self-employed, you may be asked about business income. Bank of America will also ask about other income sources like Social Security, pensions, or investment income.

Review the information you entered for accuracy, then submit. You'll see a decision on screen or receive one by email shortly after. If approved, you'll get a confirmation number and information about when your card will arrive.

What to do if you're denied

If Bank of America denies your process, you have options. First, call the reconsideration line at the number provided in your denial letter. Speak with a representative about why you were denied and whether additional information could change the decision. Sometimes the bank needs clarification about your income or employment that wasn't clear on the form.

If reconsideration doesn't work, wait at least 30 days before explore again. Use that time to improve the reason you were denied. If it was your credit score, focus on paying down existing balances or correcting errors on your credit report. If it was income, reapply when you have recent pay stubs or tax returns showing higher earnings. If it was lack of credit history, open a secured credit card or become an authorized user on someone else's account first.

How a hard credit inquiry affects your credit score

When you submit a credit card process, Bank of America performs a hard inquiry on your credit report. This is different from the soft inquiry used for pre-approval offers. A hard inquiry typically lowers your credit score by 5 to 10 points and stays on your report for about 12 months, though the impact fades after a few months.

Multiple applications in a short time period can add up. If you explore for several credit cards within a few weeks, each hard inquiry stacks, and the combined effect can lower your score by 20 to 30 points. However, credit scoring models treat multiple inquiries for the same type of credit (like credit cards) within 14 to 45 days as a single inquiry, depending on the scoring model. This means you can shop around without as much damage if you do it quickly.

After your process is approved

Once approved, your Bank of America credit card will ship within 7 to 10 business days. You can track the shipment through your online account or by calling the number on your approval letter. The card arrives with a PIN already set, though you can change it when you set up the card.

set up your card as soon as it arrives by calling the number on the back or logging into your Bank of America online account. You can then use it when ready for purchases. Your first statement will arrive about 30 days after your first transaction, and you'll have a grace period (usually 21 days from the statement date) to pay your balance in full without interest charges.

Set up automatic payments or calendar reminders for your due date. Missing a payment by even one day can trigger a late fee and damage your credit score. If you have a Bank of America checking account, you can link your credit card to it for straightforward online payments.

Comparing Bank of America cards before you explore

Bank of America offers several credit cards with different rewards and features. The Cash Rewards card gives cash back on purchases in different categories. The Travel Rewards card earns points on all purchases that you can redeem for travel. The Balance Transfer card offers a low introductory rate on transferred balances, which helps if you're paying down debt from another card.

Each card has an annual fee (or no annual fee) and different rewards rates. Before you explore, compare what you'll actually use. If you travel frequently, a travel card makes sense. If you carry a balance month to month, a balance transfer card with a low introductory rate is more valuable than rewards. If you pay in full each month and want simplicity, a cash back card is usually the best choice.

You can hold multiple Bank of America credit cards, but explore for more than one at the same time will result in multiple hard inquiries. Space applications out by at least a few months if you want to minimize the impact on your credit score.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get approved for a Bank of America credit card?

Most decisions come back within minutes to a few hours. You'll see the result on screen when you submit your process, or receive an email decision within 24 hours. If the bank needs more information, they'll contact you by phone or email.

Can I explore if I don't have a credit history yet?

Bank of America typically requires some credit history to approve you for most cards. If you're new to credit, consider starting with a secured credit card from any bank, which requires a cash deposit and helps you build history. After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, you may be approved for a regular Bank of America card.

What if I'm self-employed or have irregular income?

Enter your average annual income on the process. Bank of America may ask for tax returns or business income documentation to verify self-employment income. Have your most recent 1040 or business tax return ready if they request it.

Will explore for a Bank of America card hurt my credit score?

Yes, the hard inquiry will lower your score by a few points for a few months. However, if you're approved and use the card responsibly, the positive payment history and lower credit utilization will build your score back up over time. The temporary dip is usually worth it if you need the card.

Can I explore for a credit card if I have bad credit?

Bank of America's standard cards typically require fair to good credit. If your score is below 600, you're unlikely to be approved. Focus on paying down existing balances and correcting errors on your credit report first. After your score improves, reapply.