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.
A report from the Sustainable Investment Institute shows a 76% uptick this year in shareholder resolutions asking companies to undo their work on diversity, equity and inclusion, and other issues.
Kristie Edling-Day will oversee digital experience for advisors, while Nitesah Ambastha will lead technology for investors.
Banks' interest is growing in the evolving technology of artificial intelligence and its likely impact on their business.
Resolutions asking companies to phase out coverage for new projects aren't doing as well as those pushing insurers to disclose plans for their climate goals.
The executive team under Lindsay Hans and Eric Schimpf is taking shape; Ken Correa takes on an expanded role as head of business and client development, while Erik Vatter was named head of advisor development.
The dispute revolved around an account that was liquidated following the sharp market downturn at the beginning of the Covid pandemic.
President Joe Biden has invited congressional leaders for a May 9 meeting after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen suggested the US might exhaust its options to fund itself as early as June 1.
The company, which self-reported the issue, signed separate consent orders with Finra and the New Hampshire Bureau of Securities Regulation.
Politicians' manufactured controversies are having minimal impact in boardrooms.
The number of finance and insurance jobs in Dallas has surged 33% in the past decade, more than double the national average.
Meanwhile, any recent recruiting deals First Republic had struck with advisors will remain in place now that the bank has been acquired by JPMorgan Chase.
JPMorgan and the FDIC, which orchestrated the sale, agreed to share the burden of losses, as well as any recoveries, on the firm's single-family and commercial loans.
The firm's advisors have lined up possible purchasers of new shares in the bank as part of a rescue plan.
Some of Hill's responsibilities will be handed off to Jeff Busconi, who holds the newly created position of head of wealth management strategy, products and services.
Bank of America's wealth management business, which includes Merrill, saw a 3% year-over-year decline in revenue in Q1, as lower equity and fixed-income valuations hit asset management fees.
