Who Owns Bank of America?

Bank of America is one of the most recognized names in global finance, but who truly holds ownership of this financial powerhouse? Understanding the ownership structure provides insight into the bank’s governance, influence, and its role in the broader economy. In this post, we break down who owns Bank of America, highlighting key shareholders, institutional stakes, insider ownership, and the role of retail investors.

Essential Highlights

Bank of America is publicly traded: Ownership is distributed among institutional investors, individual insiders, and retail shareholders.
Major institutional shareholders: Berkshire Hathaway, Vanguard, and BlackRock are the top institutional owners.
Insider ownership matters: Executives like CEO Brian Moynihan hold significant individual stakes.
Institutional investors control about 71% of shares—the general public, insiders, and public companies also own considerable portions.
No single person controls Bank of America, and its corporate structure is overseen by a board with fiduciary responsibility to all shareholders.

Overview: What Is Bank of America?
Who Are the Major Shareholders?
Institutional Shareholders: The Big Players
Insider & Executive Ownership
Public & Retail Ownership
Corporate Structure and Subsidiaries
Why Ownership Structure Matters
Dig Deeper: Further Reading & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Overview: What Is Bank of America?

Bank of America is a leading U.S.-based bank holding company with a truly global footprint.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Bank of America Corporation is a Delaware corporation and holds the status of both a bank holding company and a financial holding company under U.S. law. The company offers a diversified range of banking and financial services, operating through four main business segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management, Global Banking, and Global Markets[3][6].

With assets surpassing $3.3 trillion and more than 213,000 employees worldwide as of 2025, Bank of America is central to the U.S. and international finance sectors[3].

Explore more about Bank of America’s background at Who Owns Bank of America.

Who Are the Major Shareholders?

Ownership of Bank of America is divided among institutional investors, executives and board members (insiders), and millions of retail and public investors.
No single individual or entity owns the company outright. Instead, it is publicly traded, and shareholding is constantly shifting due to stock market activity.

The largest blocks of shares are held by institutional investors, which include asset management firms, mutual funds, and holding companies. A significant portion is also owned by insiders—people at the top of the company’s management structure. The remainder is distributed among ordinary investors worldwide[1][8].

Institutional Shareholders: The Big Players

The majority of Bank of America’s shares are controlled by a handful of institutional investors.
These include:

Berkshire Hathaway: Led by Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway is the single largest institutional holder[1].
Vanguard Group: As one of the world’s largest asset management companies, Vanguard controls a substantial share.
BlackRock: Another giant in the asset management industry, BlackRock has a notable stake in Bank of America[1].

About 71% of Bank of America’s shares are held by institutional investors[1]. These entities wield considerable influence, often voting in board elections and major corporate decisions.

For an in-depth look at general ownership patterns in major companies, visit Who Owns.

Insider & Executive Ownership

Key executives and board members maintain substantial direct stakes in Bank of America stock, aligning their interests with shareholders.
Some notable insider shareholders include:

Brian T. Moynihan: CEO since 2010, Moynihan owned roughly 2.7 million shares as of 2024.
Matthew Koder: President of Global Corporate & Investment Banking, with approximately 548,000 shares.
Dean Athanasia: President of Regional Banking, holding about 443,000 shares[1].

Insider holdings generally account for about 10% of the company’s shares, reflecting both compensation and personal investment in the company’s success[8].

Public & Retail Ownership

Retail and public investors—everyday individuals and smaller firms—also collectively own a significant share.
While institutional and insider shareholders may dominate the headlines, ordinary investors form an important portion of the shareholder base. As of 2025:

Public companies and retail investors hold around 17.82% of Bank of America stock[8].

This broad ownership empowers millions of individual shareholders to participate in the company’s growth and value creation through dividends and stock appreciation.

Corporate Structure and Subsidiaries

Bank of America operates as a complex network of subsidiaries and affiliates, both in the U.S. and internationally.
The corporation’s primary banking activity is conducted through Bank of America, National Association (BANA). Other key subsidiaries focus on wealth management, investment banking, and international markets[2][3].

For a detailed view, Bank of America’s full corporate structure is available via its official investor relations page.

Why Ownership Structure Matters

Understanding who owns Bank of America helps explain how decisions are made and whose interests are represented at the highest level.
– Major institutional investors demand accountability and are active in corporate governance.
– Insider ownership aligns management and shareholder interests, incentivizing leadership to focus on long-term success.
– Broad public ownership allows widespread participation in company growth, democratizing wealth created by America’s financial giants.

Institutional control can shape the strategic direction of the bank, influence its response to market trends, and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.

Dig Deeper: Further Reading & Resources

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is the largest shareholder of Bank of America?
Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, is the largest institutional shareholder of Bank of America[1].

How much of Bank of America do institutional investors own?
Institutional investors control approximately 71% of Bank of America’s outstanding shares[1].

Do company executives own Bank of America stock?
Yes, executives such as CEO Brian Moynihan and other top leaders own substantial stakes in company shares, aligning their interests with shareholders[1][8].

Can ordinary investors own Bank of America stock?
Absolutely. Bank of America is a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC), so anyone can purchase shares through a brokerage account.

Does any single person control Bank of America?
No single person or entity controls Bank of America. Ownership is widely distributed among institutional investors, executives, and the public.

Where can I find up-to-date information on Bank of America’s shareholders and corporate structure?
You can visit the Bank of America Investor Relations page or Who Owns Bank of America for the latest details.

How does Bank of America’s ownership compare to other major banks?
Most large financial institutions have similar ownership structures, with a few institutional investors holding large stakes and public shareholders making up the rest. Compare specifics at Who Owns.

For more in-depth exploration of company ownership, visit WhoOwns.co.uk.

Who Owns Bank Of America