Office address: 100 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28255
Website: bankofamerica.com
Year established: 1998
Company type: banking
Employees: 213,000+ (2024)
Expertise: commercial banking, wealth management, investment banking, asset management, credit cards, mortgage lending, equities trading, insurance, private equity, risk management
Parent company: N/A
Key people: Brian Moynihan (CEO); Alastair Borthwick (CFO); Jim DeMare, Lindsay Hans, Katy Knox, Matthew Koder, and Wendy Stewart (presidents)
Financing status: corporation
Bank of America (BofA) is a Charlotte-based financial services company. The bank serves 69 million clients, offers digital banking to 59 million users, and manages $1.88 trillion in assets. It is known for its broad range of services, including commercial banking, wealth management, and investment banking through Merrill and the Private Bank.
Bank of America was formally created in 1998 following the merger of NationsBank and BankAmerica. But its history extends much further into the past. In 1904, Amadeo Giannini founded the Bank of Italy in San Francisco to help immigrants and working families who were often turned away by other banks.
By 1928, the Bank of Italy merged with Bank of America, Los Angeles, and soon took on the Bank of America name. Giannini’s vision led to the first statewide branch banking system in the US. The company introduced new ideas, such as the BankAmericard in 1958, which later became Visa.
BofA expanded beyond California in the 1980s and 1990s, acquiring banks in other states and growing its reach. In 1998, NationsBank of Charlotte acquired BankAmerica, creating today’s Bank of America Corporation. The new company kept the Bank of America name and made Charlotte, North Carolina its headquarters.
The company continued to grow by acquiring FleetBoston in 2004, MBNA in 2006, and Merrill Lynch in 2008. These deals helped Bank of America become a leader in credit cards, wealth management, and investment banking.
In 2024, BofA’s wealth management balances reached $4.2 trillion, an 18% increase from the prior year. This growth showed the company’s strong performance and leading global position.
BofA provides products for individuals, businesses, and institutions, with an emphasis on investment and building wealth:
Bank of America also stands out for its digital tools, security features, and nationwide branch network. Clients benefit from integrated services, personalized support, and a commitment to responsible growth.
According to Bank of America, the company's culture values support, growth, and connection for all employees. The firm reports a work environment focused on collaboration, opportunity, and ongoing development, with programs for both current and former staff.
Employees are offered a variety of benefits designed to support their health, finances, and personal lives:
For environmental sustainability, Bank of America’s aims for net zero greenhouse gas emissions across financing, operations, and supply chain before 2050. The Environmental Business Initiative plans to mobilize $1 trillion by 2030 for low-carbon and sustainable projects. It supports the Paris Climate Agreement and targets areas like energy efficiency, clean transportation, and water conservation.
Brian Moynihan is chair of the board and CEO of Bank of America, and also chairs the Sustainable Markets Initiative. Before this, Moynihan held several leadership roles at BofA, including president of global banking. He volunteers as chancellor of Brown University’s Corporation and is active in groups focused on economic and market trends.
Bank of America’s leaders have strong experience and important roles across the company:
These leaders guide the bank’s growth and help meet client needs every day. Their skills cover finance, customer service, and global markets.
In 2025, Bank of America Merrill Lynch has also expanded its alternative investment platform, now focusing on ultra-high-net-worth clients with $50 million or more. The number of clients using this platform has more than doubled in five years, showing strong demand for private equity and other alternative funds. This move allows the company to provide more choices and advanced strategies to investors seeking alternative assets.
BofA’s derivatives team also saw a chance for investors to benefit from tech’s ongoing rally, even as some hedge funds sell. The bank suggested using a six-month call spread on the QQQ ETF, which could offer strong returns if tech stocks keep rising. This approach aims to manage risk and seek growth as markets change. It also highlights its role in guiding investors toward future opportunities.
Foreign direct investment in the U.S. increased by 49% in 2010, rebounding from 2009 levels during the height of the credit crunch.
Nearly ten percent mulling a change; hard to cross-sell to a closed-out account
Two weeks ago, John Thiel took over for Sallie Krawcheck at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Today, the wealth management boss rejiggered the entire operation. His goal? To get more support to advisers.
Firings of Krawcheck, Price gives embattled CEO more breathing room to turn things around; 'in the line of fire'
Last month, Sallie Krawcheck was elected to one of three large-firm governor's seats at Finra. There's just one hitch. Now that Krawcheck no longer works for BofA, she must quickly find a job at a large firm — or give up the seat.
Aristocracy of banking would have likely gone down the tubes without previously undisclosed Fed money; 'whopping numbers'
USB CEO Oswald Gruebel today reiterated that the Swiss bank has no plans to unload its U.S. wealth management unit. That division, run by Robert McCann, saw pretax profits and adviser comp rise in the second quarter of the year.
Bank aims to attract clients by requiring lower minimums on investable assets than rivals
Meredith Whitney's at it again. The controversial analyst is now predicting a 'waterfall' of muni downgrades which will trigger a massive sell-off by insurers. If she's right, investors may be able to pick up some bargains in the process.
Asset manager's repurchasing of remaining stake held by bank opens door to other third-party wirehouse platforms; 'no longer owned by a competitor'
Bank of America Corp. won a court order temporarily blocking four former employees from using and sharing the bank's client records at their new employer, New York-based Dynasty Financial Partners.
Morgan Stanley has moved Sara Furber to lead a group that refers clients to its investment banking, retail brokerage and asset management divisions.
Although its wirehouse rivals are keeping their electronic drawbridges closed to social media, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC last week became the first major Wall Street firm to allow its financial advisers to use popular networking websites
UniCredit Group's decision to keep its Pioneer Investments money management arm could mark the end of a spate of recent divestments and the start of a period in which banks are focused instead on building their asset management affiliates.
