What Is the Bank of America Cashier’s Check Fee?
Written by
Valerie Smith
Edited by
Emily Gadd
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With a Bank of America, Member FDIC, checking or savings account, you have access to financial products, including cashier’s checks. You might need a cashier’s check for a large transaction for which a guaranteed form of payment is requested, like buying a house or a car.
Although some banking institutions will issue cashier’s checks if you don’t bank with them, Bank of America issues them only to account holders. Depending on the type of account you have with Bank of America, you might also have to pay a fee. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is the Bank of America Cashier’s Check Fee?
Bank of America offers cashier’s checks to all customers with a checking or savings account for a $15 fee. If you are enrolled in Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program, however, this fee will be waived when you get cashier’s checks.
Bank of America is not the only bank that charges a cashier’s check fee. Wells Fargo and PNC Bank typically charge $10, though they both offer cashier’s checks for free on certain accounts. Capital One charges $20 for online cashier’s check requests or $10 in-branch.
How To Get the Bank of America Cashier’s Check Fee Waived
The only way to get the $15 cashier’s check fee waived is by being enrolled in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program. To qualify for Preferred Rewards, you must have a three-month combined average daily balance of at least $20,000 in your Bank of America deposit accounts and Merrill investment accounts. Opening an account and enrolling in this program offers benefits like fee waivers and enhances your banking experience with additional rewards and services.
How To Get a Bank of America Cashier’s Check
To get a cashier’s check from Bank of America, you need to visit your nearest branch and provide the teller with the following:
- Your ID
- Your bank account information
- The exact amount of the check
- The name of the payee
The teller will review your account to verify you have enough funds to cover the check. This includes reviewing funds in your checking account, savings account or even a CD account if you’ve aligned the maturity of your CDs with your need for significant funds. After verification, the teller will print, sign the check and hand it over to you once the check fee is paid.
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How Cashier’s Checks Differ From Other Checks
Cashier’s checks are different from money orders and certified checks. A certified check is a personal check that the bank certifies. They will sign it as a guarantee that you have the funds in your account and that your signature is genuine.
Like cashier’s checks, money orders are prepaid. A money order, however, is limited to $1,000 or less. If you need to pay for something that costs more than $1,000 and the payee wants a guaranteed form of payment, you’ll likely need a cashier’s check. For smaller transactions, you can get money orders from financial institutions, post offices and even some retail stores, like Walmart.
How To Avoid Cashier’s Check Fraud
Because cashier’s checks are generally trusted, they are frequently used in scams. Although you can usually withdraw funds from a deposited cashier’s check quickly, if it’s fraudulent, you’ll be responsible for paying the money back to the bank.
Be careful about accepting a cashier’s check from a stranger, even one issued by Bank of America or another trusted bank. To cut down on the likelihood of getting a bad cashier’s check, follow these steps:
- If possible, ask for a cashier’s check drawn from a bank with a branch near you.
- Call or visit the bank on which the check is written to verify it’s genuine.
- Know the difference between funds being available for withdrawal and the cashier’s check clearing. Some banks are required by law to make funds available to customers even if the check hasn’t cleared.
Final Take
A cashier’s check is a convenient way to pay for a large purchase, like a car or house. However, be mindful of possible scams. You can always call the bank to verify if the check is genuine.
FAQ
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding cashier's checks.- What is the maximum amount of a cashier's check at Bank of America?
- While policies may be adjusted from time to time, Bank of America currently lists no maximum limits for cashier's checks. If the money is in your account and available, you should be able to get a cashier's check for it.
- How do I get a cashier's check from Bank of America?
- To obtain a cashier's check from Bank of America, visit a branch with the following:
- Your ID
- Bank account information
- The check's exact amount
- The payee's name
- The teller will verify your funds, create and sign the check for you to take after paying any applicable fees.
- To obtain a cashier's check from Bank of America, visit a branch with the following:
- Can I get a cashier's check from my bank on the same day?
- Yes, you can receive a cashier's check from most banks on the same day by visiting a branch and following the steps to obtain one.
- How do I get a cashier's check online?
- To get a cashier's check online, check if your bank offers this service through their online banking platform. While not all banks provide the option to order cashier's checks online, some may allow you to request one through their website or app.
- If available, you'll likely need to provide the amount, payee's name and your account information. The bank may then mail the cashier's check to you or the payee directly.
- How long does it take for a cashier's check to clear at Bank of America?
- The funds from a cashier's check deposited in your Bank of America account are typically available the next business day if the deposit meets the cutoff time of your account's time zone.
- For Eastern or Central time zones, the cutoff is before 9:00 p.m. EST.
- For Mountain or Pacific time zones, it's before 8:00 p.m. PST.
- The funds from a cashier's check deposited in your Bank of America account are typically available the next business day if the deposit meets the cutoff time of your account's time zone.
The article above was refined via automated technology and then fine-tuned and verified for accuracy by a member of our editorial team.
Chris Ozarowski contributed to the reporting for this article.
Information is accurate as of Oct. 5, 2024.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
