Best VPNs for Bank of America in 2024: How to access BofA abroad

While you’re traveling, it may be inevitable that you need to access your Bank of America online banking at some point during your trip. And, because you’re away from home, you could be forced to use public Wi-Fi to do so. Disclosing personal information over such networks is not recommended, but in the case of online banking, it might be necessary. That’s why a VPN is an important tool to have; so you can access your Bank of America accounts securely from anywhere.

Even if you’re just using Wi-Fi for browsing, we recommend protecting yourself by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This encrypts your traffic and tunnels it through an intermediary server in your preferred location. As such, nobody can snoop on your online activities — not even your ISP. What’s more, VPNs provide other perks, such as access to geo-locked content, including your streaming libraries.

We’ll soon get into the details of the best Bank of America VPNs, but if you’re short of time, here’s a quick summary.

The best VPNs for Bank of America:

1. NordVPN: Our top choice VPN for Bank of America. Speedy VPN with powerful unblocking. Has the highest levels of encryption available and servers worldwide. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for banking.
2. Surfshark: Great budget VPN for Bank of America. Highly versatile with a strong focus on security. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
3. ExpressVPN: Vast server network, including plenty of servers in the US, perfect for Bank of America. Fast provider that delivers on security and privacy.
4. CyberGhost: Beginner-friendly provider with almost 1,500 reliable servers in the US. Scores well on privacy and security. Up to seven simultaneous connections.
5. IPVanish: Extremely quick and security-conscious. Protect all of your devices at once. Works with Bank of America as well as Netflix US.
6. PrivateVPN: Smaller up-and-coming network that withstood all of our Bank of America and streaming service tests. Impressive speeds and dependable.
7. Private Internet Access: Securely access Bank of America thanks to servers in dozens of US cities. No-logs VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections.

Finding the best VPNs that work with Bank of America

There are hundreds of VPN providers on the market, but they don’t all provide the same level of service or offer the features that you need. In fact, not all VPNs work with Bank of America as it and some other institutions, such as Wells Fargo, block traffic from certain VPN servers. Even trying to access the main Bank of America site through some VPN servers might result in an error message:

“This site can’t be reached. www.bankofamerica.com took too long to respond.”

Some VPN providers still enable access to the Bank of America website, but you also need to look at factors such as speed and security. So with that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best VPNs for Bank of America based on the following criteria:

• Has plenty of servers that reliably access Bank of America from anywhere
• Offers a large selection of server locations (particularly in the US)
• Provides fast and unthrottled connections
• Uses strong encryption along with other robust security measures
• Has prompt and knowledgeable customer support
• Maintains a no-logs policy

This is just a starting point, but you can read more about what we look for in the VPNs we recommend in our methodology section further below.

Best VPNs for Bank of America: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Bank of America.

The best VPNs to access Bank of America abroad

At Comparitech, we’re committed to bringing you the most helpful and accurate VPN information possible. To do this, we use each VPN personally and put them through rigorous real-world testing to ensure they’re up to our standards and yours. Let’s take a look at the ones that impressed us.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for accessing Bank of America from anywhere:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2024

NordVPN is our top recommendation for accessing Bank of America abroad. It operates over 5,500 servers in 60+ countries, making it one of the largest providers around. Not all servers will allow access to the main Bank of America site, but the 24/7 support team keeps an up-to-date list of servers that will work. NordVPN also offers fast speeds and access to streaming platforms, including US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime.

A high level of security is provided in the form of 256-bit AES military-grade encryption coupled with perfect forward secrecy. Automatic wifi protection means you’ll never have to worry about unsecured networks. A kill switch and DNS leak protection are included, and NordVPN operates a no-logs policy that has been independently audited. An additional bonus with NordVPN is you can enjoy up to six simultaneous connections.

NordVPN’s desktop apps are available for Windows, Linux, and MacOS, plus there are Android and iOS apps for mobile devices. You’ll also find an app for Amazon Fire TV as well as Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browser extensions. Use with routers requires manual setup, however.

BEST VPN TO ACCESS BANK OF AMERICA ABROAD:NordVPN is our first choice. It’s fast and a great option for accessing geo-restricted sites and content. Connect up to six devices simultaneously. Strict no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free deal.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a budget-friendly, privacy-first service with over 3,000 servers in 100 countries, including the US. This VPN is more than fast enough for most purposes and has no problems accessing the Bank of America website. In fact, it even has the ability to access notoriously difficult services like Netflix securely (it works with over 30 Netflix libraries). Further, Surfshark doesn’t restrict the number of devices you can connect at once.

This VPN includes all sorts of security features. To begin with, there’s 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. These keep your internet traffic hidden from snoopers, while Surfshark’s no-logs policy ensures your online activities can’t be traced back to you. For extra security, Surfshark offers MultiHop servers. Support staff are on hand around the clock over live chat.

Surfshark users can install apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Fire TV. Chrome and Firefox extensions are available. It’s also possible to manually configure Surfshark for use with some wireless routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark puts your privacy first and comes packed with powerful security tools. It’s speedy too, with some of the strongest unblocking abilities around. Best of all, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands and operates a more than ample network of 3,000+ servers spanning 100+ countries. As with most VPN providers, it can’t guarantee that all servers will work with Bank of America all of the time. But when we tested this service, we found that it was simple to find a US server that worked, and we had no issues with Europe and Asia locations.

Another ExpressVPN perk, while you’re traveling is its ability to securely access sites like US Netflix and Disney Plus. It offers top-notch security, which of course, is especially important when abroad. ExpressVPN uses 256-bit encryption and perfect forward secrecy and includes DNS leak protection and a kill switch. You won’t have to worry about any information leaks with this provider, as it doesn’t keep identifying logs.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge extensions are also offered, as is custom firmware for quick and easy setup with wifi routers.

SECURITY FOCUSED:ExpressVPN is fast and secure. Great for accessing geo-restricted content and services. Top privacy features and keeps no logs. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost gives you access to a growing number of servers, currently over 10,000 in 90+ countries, including around 1,500 in the US. While testing its services, we had no issues accessing the Bank of America site using multiple servers in the US, Europe, and Asia. When it comes to accessing geo-locked content from abroad, CyberGhost places a heavy focus on ensuring it can provide secure access to sites like Netflix US, regardless of your geographical location.

Another strong player on the security and privacy front, CyberGhost uses 256-bit AES encryption and perfect forward secrecy and comes with a built-in kill switch and DNS leak protection. With the option to have up to seven simultaneous connections with one plan, you won’t have to worry about switching devices. It even offers a Windows security suite with antivirus as well as 24-hour live chat support.

CyberGhost apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Linux, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. It also has Chrome and Firefox extensions. You can manually configure a connection with compatible routers too.

BEGINNERS' CHOICE:CyberGhost is easy to set up. Works well for accessing the Bank of America website. Good option if you’re looking for a fast, reliable connection and an easy-to-use interface. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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5. IPVanish

IPVanish is a US-based provider with more than 2,000 servers in over 60 countries. The US servers we tested with Bank of America worked fine, but if there are issues,  you can contact customer support 24/7 via live chat for a specific country server. With IPVanish, you can expect very fast server speeds for streaming. Indeed, it’s very popular with Kodi users and torrenters.

This VPN lets you secure an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, so you’ll be covered for travel. IPVanish performs well on the security front with 256-bit encryption and perfect forward secrecy. This privacy-focused provider has a strict zero-logs policy with no traffic or connection logs kept. A kill switch and DNS leak protection work to further secure your IP address.

To use IPVanish, download apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. You’ll need to manually set up any VPN connection with Linux or a router.

PRIVATE SERVICE:IPVanish is a secure and private VPN that offers a solid network of servers. Enables access to Bank of America and has good privacy and security. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a Sweden-based provider with a relatively small network but strong performance. We had no issues accessing Bank of America with any of the servers we tested. PrivateVPN boasts some very fast speeds and enables secure access to sites like Netflix, HBO, and Hulu. A basic plan enables you to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously.

You’ll be happy from a security and privacy standpoint with PrivateVPN, which holds true to its name. It uses strong encryption along with perfect forward secrecy. This is again supported by a kill switch (which cuts the internet connection if the VPN connection is lost) and DNS leak protection. A strict no-logs policy, with no traffic or connection logs, adds an extra layer of protection.

PrivateVPN’s apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Fire TV. It can also be manually set up to work with Linux and compatible wireless routers.

GREAT FOR SPEED:PrivateVPN is consistently reliable. Good for general-purpose use and streaming. Privacy protection with a strict no-logs policy. Offers free remote help and installation. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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7. Private Internet Access

 

Private Internet Access has servers in over 80 countries. What’s particularly impressive is that it has servers in dozens of US cities. This makes it that much easier to access websites and services from the US, Bank of America included. PIA is highly suitable for streaming and torrenting because it doesn’t throttle your bandwidth. Indeed, it’s one of the few VPN services that works with Netflix US.

While PIA is quick and easy to set up and use, live chat and email support is available 24 hours a day. Connecting to a PIA server ensures your data is 256-bit AES encrypted. You can also expect DNS leak protection and a kill switch. This is a no-logs service, and one of its standout features is that it lets you connect an unlimited number of devices at the same time (most VPNs allow up to five or six).

Private Internet Access has apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. Browser extensions can be downloaded for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. To use PIA with a compatible wifi router, a connection needs to be configured manually.

TRUE NO-LOGS POLICY:Private Internet Access provides servers in dozens of US cities for securely accessing Bank of America. Uses encryption to protect your data. Unlimited devices per account and a no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

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How to use a VPN for Bank of America remote access

Once you’ve chosen a VPN provider from the list above, it’s easy to access Bank of America from anywhere in the world. We’ll walk you through the simple steps below.

Here’s how to access Bank of America from abroad:

1. Sign up for your choice of VPN provider. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Download and install the desktop app, following the on-screen instructions.
3. After logging in, choose a server located in the US. This will give you a US IP address.
4. Try logging into your Bank of America account, you should now be able to complete transactions as if you were still in the US.
5. Having problems? Try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies and reloading your browser.

Methodology: How we found the best VPNs for Bank of America

There’s no such thing as too much caution where online banking is concerned. However, it pays to think carefully about which VPN you’d like to use since there can be a huge difference in the security offering of rival services. Below, you’ll find the key areas we looked at when choosing the best VPNs for Bank of America and why each is so important:

• Security: Whether you’re looking to use the Bank of America app on hotel Wi-Fi, a public hotspot, or anywhere else, you need to know that your data can’t be seen by snoopers. Most banks will already encrypt this, but to be extra safe, we look for VPNs with 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch.
• Privacy: It’s no use encrypting your traffic if your activities can be traced back to you in other ways (such as by contacting the sites you visit and asking for logs). That’s why we strongly favor VPNs with proven no-logs policies and those that accept anonymous payment methods.
• Server locations: Trying to log into your banking app abroad can see your account temporarily locked in a mistaken attempt to protect you from fraud. However, if you use a server in your home country, you should be able to avoid this and save a call to customer support. As such, it’s important to have a server presence in lots of countries. This, of course, includes servers in the US.
• Connection stability: Slow speeds or an inconsistent connection can lead to failed payments or, worse, having your payment processed multiple times. Don’t worry: we’ve speed-tested dozens of VPNs and only recommended those with impressive speeds.
• Devices: For total flexibility, you need to be able to use your VPN on any and all of your devices. So we look for providers that support major operating systems like Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS at a minimum. But we also like them to work with other platforms like Amazon Fire TV, Linux, and Wi-Fi routers. We also like providers that offer browser extensions.
• Ease of use: Whether you’re accessing Bank of America or streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video or Disney+, you want a VPN that makes this quick and convenient. This means a VPN with beginner-friendly apps as well as quality customer support via live chat and email.
• Value for money: Last but not least, we expect a VPN to offer all of the above while remaining affordable. When there are so many VPNs on the market, you can always find a good deal. For example, we offer discount coupons for the best VPNs for Bank of America in this post.

Believe it or not, this is only the first step in our testing. To find out more, check out our full explanation of how we test VPNs at Comparitech.

Why banks block VPNs

It’s not entirely clear why some banks block VPNs, and it’s difficult to get a straight answer from the banks themselves. The practice seems counter-intuitive because by using a VPN, you are actually helping to reduce the chance of cybercrimes such as fraud and identity theft.

However, there are a couple of theories as to why BofA and other banks block traffic from VPN servers:

• One is that banks use your IP address to detect potential fraud. So, VPNs could be perceived to compromise the effectiveness of this technique.
• Another thought is that VPNs might be used by criminals to carry out cybercrimes more anonymously. Banks may take the stance that it is, therefore, better to block all VPN traffic than to risk some criminals getting through.
• Finally, since it’s often certain servers that are blocked, it could be the case that individual IP addresses have been flagged for misuse by criminals, effectively blocking all traffic from those addresses.

While the reasons behind the practice may not be clear or make total sense, the fact is that banks do this, and it’s incredibly frustrating for customers who need access to their accounts while traveling.

Tips for accessing BofA from abroad

Using one of the VPNs listed above should ensure you can access BofA from abroad safely. But here are some additional tips to ensure smooth sailing.

Don’t forgo the VPN

A VPN offers increased privacy and security, which is especially important while you’re traveling. If you’re accessing your BofA account while abroad, chances are you’re connected to a public Wi-Fi network, such as at a hotel or cafe. These are prime spots for hackers to get their hands on your information, so it’s important you protect yourself with a VPN.

Some less-reputable VPN providers will actually advise you to simply turn off the app when you access a particular site that is being blocked. They likely do this because they can’t or aren’t willing to address the problem and don’t want you to switch to another provider. However, this should be a last resort as you will no longer be protected.

Connect to a US server if possible

Based on our testing and from what we’ve learned from various VPN providers, connecting through a US server should give you the best chance of accessing the BofA site. On the other hand, there are theories that banks might block you based on you having logged in from a location that’s far from where your card was last used. So, in this case, it might actually be better to try logging in using a server that’s geographically close to you.

We had mixed results. In some cases, US servers represented the best options. Other times, it was the US servers being blocked. Undoubtedly, there could be a bit of trial and error involved in finding a server that works.

Let Bank of America know you’re traveling

If you’re going to be using a non-US server while traveling (or at home, for that matter), you could give BofA a heads-up before you go. This doesn’t stop the bank from blocking VPN IP addresses that it would normally, but it may prevent your account from being flagged by the fraud squad.

Don’t change server locations frequently

Banks have various measures in place to try to prevent fraud. If you’re connecting from Thailand one minute and Germany the next, this is probably going to raise some red flags. Consequences might include a frozen account and blocked cards, which isn’t ideal anytime, but especially while traveling. If you’re signing into your account from abroad, try to at least connect from a similar location each time.

Accessing Bank of America from abroad: FAQs