Does Bank of America Hire Felons?

Once out of prison, felons strive to get their lives back on track. The first step they need to take is sorting out their career. The sad part is that finding a job gets difficult.

Many organizations refrain from hiring felons based on their criminal history. While it does get frustrating, various organizations choose to hire felons and give them a second chance.

The key is not to get discouraged and figure out which organization is ready to give you a second chance at life.

In case you are wondering if Bank of America hires felons then this article will give you all the information you need.

Working For Bank Of America With A Felony Charge

While felons may refrain from applying at Bank of America, it is a great place to start. If you’re interested in finance and you have the right skill set to match then you may be able to get a job at Bank of America even with a felony conviction.

Bank of America does go through every application with a fine comb. After all, it is one of the largest banking institutes in the United States. It boasts over 136,000 employees. The bank has over 6,500 branches spread across 32 states.

They focus on three major sectors which include:

Bank of America is a fast-paced bank that strives to be the best in its class. The bank is rich in cultural diversity and believes in creating a safe workplace for its employees.

Job Opportunities At Bank Of America

Bank Of America has multiple positions that start right from a bank teller and can go up to a Corporate asset manager and everything in between. While entry-level positions at Bank Of America do not require too many special certifications, the higher positions do. If a felon chooses to revamp his life then getting such certification is the right step.

Generally, a felon should aim to apply for beginner level positions at Bank Of America. While the bank does hire felons, it is not that easy to get a job here. You must have a moral character certificate and strong references to get past. If you are keen on getting a job at Bank Of America, then it is important to be well informed about the procedures.

Hiring Process At Bank Of America

Bank Of America is a heavily regulated financial institution. The organization has to be very cautious while hiring employees. One mistake could mess up the reputation of the bank. This could result in heavy losses.

Bank Of America is one of those banks that does not ask you about your past criminal history. While they are not part of the Ban the Box initiative or the Fair Chances Business pledge, they assess a candidate based on their skillset.

1 Background Checks At Bank Of America

Background checks have become an integral procedure for most organizations. A background check is even more important in a banking scenario. Employees have to deal with valuable assets including money which is why the bank does not take its checks lightly.

Apart from verifying the identity, qualification, and credentials of a potential employee, they also check their criminal history. If during this check, for some reason, the bank sees a red flag they may reject an application.

2 Drug test

You should remember that after you pass a background check, you also need to pass a drug test. In most cases, this is a urine drug test. While this is conducted with your consent before getting hired, Bank Of America may also conduct random drug testing if they are suspicious of your behavior.

3 Credit Check

Bank Of America needs to ensure the financial stability of its employees. If your financials are in trouble, you may not get a job at Bank Of America.

4 Identity Verification

Your resume is thoroughly screened and every detail mentioned is cross-verified. If you plan on applying for a job at Bank Of America, do not mention any false information. This is because your application will get rejected if caught.

Felonies Banned At Bank Of America

There are certain entry-level jobs where felons are appointed. As a felon, you may want to refrain from applying for higher positions if your conviction was recent. Any job that involves security or financials requires somebody with a clean slate.

Any individual who has committed the following crimes cannot get a job at Bank Of America.

Individuals with misdemeanors may be able to get a job more easily. This however depends on the kind of crime. The decision is made on a case by case basis.

Type Of Jobs Felons Get At Bank Of America

Most of the jobs at Bank Of America involve handling money. The bank does not prefer hiring felons for these positions. If however your felony is older than seven years, or in some states ten years, you could be considered for the position.

This is also dependent on the kind of lifestyle you choose after your conviction. If you were able to clean up your act, study, and get good certifications, then there is no reason Bank Of America won’t hire you.

Integrity Plays A Huge Role In The Hiring Process At Bank Of America

According to section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, individuals who have committed criminal offenses that involve a breach of trust cannot work for financial institutions. You must however remember that in most states your felony charges get sealed after seven to ten years.

This means your criminal history will not come up in a background check and you are just as likely to get the job as any other candidate.

If your offense had nothing to do with cheating or forgery then Bank Of America may hire you even if your conviction is less than ten years old. You must however be able to impress the hiring manager at the time of the interview.

How To Apply?

Start small with Bank Of America instead of applying for higher positions. The bank usually has multiple vacancies so apply for as many as you deem fit. Lower-level jobs are not scrutinized as much as higher positions. This means the chances of bagging these jobs are higher.

Here is how to get started.

1 Create An Account – To apply for a job at Bank Of America, you need to visit the official website. You then need to click on the careers page to see the current vacancies. This is a free service and does not require any payment. The website is systematic and has all relevant information. This gives you a clear idea of whether or not you are fit to apply for the job.

2 Explore Opportunities – Once you are on the careers page check out the multiple job openings by using the search option. Always filter based on location. You must also remember to enter the keyword that is closest related to your job title or the one you wish to apply for. Once you find the right job, submit your application and wait to hear back.

Conclusion

Bank Of America offers many advantages to its employees. It is without a doubt one of the most lucrative employers out there. If you want to establish a career in the financial sector, it doesn’t get better than Bank Of America. When applying for the job take all necessary precautions. Do everything by the book so your chances of getting hired are high.