Bank of America is a full-service megabank with 4,300+ branches offering comprehensive banking products, while Capital One operates primarily as a digital-first bank with 500+ branches and specializes in credit cards and auto loans. BofA serves traditional banking customers seeking in-person support; Capital One targets credit-conscious consumers seeking competitive rates and digital convenience.
Bank of America vs Capital One — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Largest U.S. bank by assets with 4,300+ branches and comprehensive financial services.
Traditional bank offering credit cards, auto loans, personal loans, savings accounts, and mortgages with 195 million customers.
Physical Branch Network. Primary Business Model. Checking Account Monthly Fee. Savings Account APY (as of 2026). Credit Card Approval Rate. Total Assets Under Management. Investment & Wealth Management Services
Choose Bank of America if you need comprehensive banking services, in-person branch support, investment accounts, and wealth management under one roof. Choose Capital One if you prioritize higher savings yields, easier credit card approval, no monthly fees, and prefer digital-first banking without maintaining minimum balances.
Bank of America: 3,800 | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: 165+ | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: 165+ full financial centers | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: Bank of America Premium Rewards (1.5x points) | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: $30 billion client interactions | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: Advanced AI-personalized solutions | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: Standard rewards catalog (5-7 categories) | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: 63 markets | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: Comprehensive wealth management focus | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: Highly rated with AI integration | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: Varies by account type ($500-$10,000) | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: Competitive with digital strengths | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: BofA: $3.6T | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: 4,300 branches | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: 16,000+ ATMs | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: 38 million users | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: 3.5% preferred categories | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: $500-$2,500 | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: $7.3 billion | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: $2.9 trillion | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: $35 per transaction | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: 6.49% | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: 4.10% | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: 3.8/5 (J.D. Power 2024) | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: $2,935 billion | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: $0 per trade | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: 800+ funds | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: 4,200+ branches | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: 4.3 stars | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: $0 for brokerage | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: $3.2 trillion | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: $3.45 trillion | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: 4,250 | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: $500 | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: 724 points | Capital One: N/A
Major Regulatory Enforcement Actions (2020-2025)
Bank of America: 3 actions | Capital One: N/A
Average APY on Savings (High-Yield Savings)
Bank of America: 4.35% APY | Capital One: N/A
Bank of America: 0.01% - 0.04% | Capital One: 4.70%
Bank of America: 4,300+ | Capital One: 1,800+
Bank of America: 15,000+ | Capital One: 39,000+ (Allpoint)
Bank of America: 4.7/5 | Capital One: 4.8/5
Bank of America: $12 (waivable) | Capital One: $0
Bank of America: 0.01% | Capital One: 4.60%
Bank of America: ~50% | Capital One: ~70%
Bank of America: $3,400 billion | Capital One: $507 billion
Bank of America: Merrill Edge + full advisory | Capital One: None
Customer Satisfaction Score (J.D. Power 2025)
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 10+ airlines and partners
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 2.5% (2026)
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 1 (uniform)
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: Variable transfer rates
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: Basic
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 2x flat
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 4.05%
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 1,000+ partner locations
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 3.99% - 8.99%
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 3.2/5
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 620+
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 21.99% - 35.99%
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 1-3 business days
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: $50,000
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 20+ cards
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 0% - 1%
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 20+ million
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 7.99%
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 5.5%
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 35.99%
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 3+ (loans, cards, deposits)
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 1.5% (Quicksilver)
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 5% (rotating categories)
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 99%+ (Visa/Mastercard network)
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: None (entry/mid-tier)
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 8.99%
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 29.99%
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 0% - 8%
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 2-3 business days
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: Varies by product (up to $100k+ for auto loans)
Bank of America: N/A | Capital One: 195 million customers
How to choose between Bank of America and Capital One
Bank of America vs Capital One — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Bank of America vs Capital One. Contains 92 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Bank of America vs Capital One — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Bank of America vs Capital One.
Capital One is significantly better for savers. Their high-yield savings account offers 4.60% APY compared to Bank of America's 0.01%, meaning on a $10,000 balance you'd earn $460/year with Capital One vs $1 with BofA. However, Capital One charges no monthly fees, while BofA charges $12/month unless you maintain a $1,500 minimum balance.
Can I get approved with fair or poor credit?
Capital One specializes in approving customers with fair to poor credit, with an approval rate around 70%. Bank of America has stricter underwriting with approximately 50% approval rates and typically requires better credit profiles. If you're rebuilding credit, Capital One is the more accessible option.
Which bank is better for investment and wealth management?
Bank of America is far superior for investors. It offers Merrill Edge brokerage, investment advisory services, wealth management accounts, and integrated banking. Capital One has no investment platform or brokerage services, making it purely a consumer bank for deposits and credit products.
What if I need to visit a physical branch?
Bank of America has 4,300+ branches nationwide, providing easy in-person access for most Americans. Capital One operates only ~500 branches and is primarily digital. If you frequently need in-person banking, BofA's network advantage is substantial.
Capital One offers slightly more competitive auto loan rates (4.74% - 9.74% APR) compared to Bank of America (5.24% - 9.99% APR). However, both rates depend heavily on credit score and loan term. Capital One's advantage comes from its specialization in credit products across all credit profiles.
How to Choose Between Bank of America and Capital One
Physical Branch Network: Bank of America has 4,300+ branches nationwide, while Capital One has ~500 branches.
Primary Business Model: Bank of America has Full-service retail & investment banking, while Capital One has Digital-first consumer banking (credit cards, auto loans).
Checking Account Monthly Fee: Bank of America has $12 (waived with $1,500 minimum balance), while Capital One has $0 (no monthly fee).
Consider: Savings Account APY (as of 2026)
Savings Account APY (as of 2026): Bank of America has 0.01% standard savings, while Capital One has 4.60% high-yield savings.
Credit Card Approval Rate: Bank of America has ~50% (mixed credit profiles), while Capital One has ~70% (specializes in fair/poor credit).
Total Assets Under Management: Bank of America has $3.4 trillion, while Capital One has $507 billion.
Consider: Investment & Wealth Management Services
Investment & Wealth Management Services: Bank of America has Full suite (Merrill Edge, advisory, brokerage), while Capital One has Limited (no investment platform).