Wire money from Bank of America through online banking, mobile app, or by visiting a branch
Bank of America lets you send wire transfers in three ways: through your online account, through the mobile app, or in person at a branch. Online and mobile are fastest — you can initiate a wire in minutes if you have the recipient's bank details. In-person wires take longer because you have to wait for an available banker, but some people prefer it for large amounts or if they want to confirm details face-to-face.
Wire transfers are not reversible once they leave your account, so you need the recipient's correct information before you start. Bank of America charges a fee for outgoing domestic wires (typically $15 to $30, depending on your account type) and higher fees for international wires. The money usually arrives the same business day for domestic transfers, or within one to three business days for international ones.
Key Takeaways
- Domestic wires from Bank of America cost $15 to $30 and arrive the same business day if sent before the cutoff time, usually 2 p.m. Eastern.
- International wires cost more and take one to three business days, and you will need the recipient's SWIFT code and IBAN or account number.
- You can send a wire online, through the mobile app, or at a branch, but you cannot cancel or reverse it after it leaves your account.
- Bank of America requires the recipient's full name, bank name, routing number (for domestic), and account number before you can send.
How to wire money online through Bank of America
Log into your Bank of America online account and go to the Transfers section. Select "Wire Transfer" and choose whether it is domestic or international. Enter the recipient's information: their full name, the bank name, the routing number (for domestic transfers), and their account number. Bank of America will show you the fee and the expected delivery date before you confirm.
Review all details carefully — the recipient's name must match their bank account exactly, and the routing and account numbers must be correct. Once you submit, the wire is sent and cannot be stopped. If you make a mistake, the money may be sent to the wrong account or rejected by the receiving bank, and recovering it is difficult and slow.
The cutoff time for same-day delivery is usually 2 p.m. Eastern time on business days. Wires sent after that time or on weekends and holidays will process the next business day.
How to wire money through the Bank of America mobile app
Open the Bank of America mobile app, tap "Transfer Money," and select "Wire Transfer." Choose domestic or international, then enter the recipient's details the same way you would online. The app shows the fee and delivery estimate before you confirm. You can save frequent recipients so you do not have to re-enter their information each time.
The mobile app uses the same cutoff times and fees as online banking. If you have set up fingerprint or face recognition on your phone, the app will ask you to authenticate before sending the wire. This adds a security step but does not slow down the process.
Wiring money in person at a Bank of America branch
Visit any Bank of America branch with your ID and the recipient's banking information. Tell the banker you want to send a wire transfer. They will ask for the recipient's full name, bank name, routing number (domestic) or SWIFT code (international), and account number. The banker will enter the information, show you the fee and delivery date, and ask you to sign the wire authorization form.
In-person wires take longer because you have to wait for a banker to be available, but some people choose this method for large amounts or if they want to verify details with someone before sending. The fee is the same whether you wire online or in person.
What information you need before you wire
For a domestic wire, you need the recipient's full name, their bank name, their routing number, and their account number. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the bank. You can find it on the recipient's checks, or they can look it up on their bank's website or call their bank directly.
For an international wire, you need the recipient's full name, their bank name, their SWIFT code (an eight or eleven-character code that identifies banks worldwide), and their IBAN or account number. Some countries require an IBAN (International Bank Account Number) instead of or in addition to the account number. Ask the recipient for all of this information before you start the wire.
Do not rely on the recipient to spell their name or provide numbers over the phone if you can avoid it — ask them to send it in writing or email so you can copy it exactly. A single wrong digit in the account number or a misspelled name can send the money to the wrong place.
Wire transfer fees and delivery times
Bank of America charges $15 for domestic wires from most checking and savings accounts, though some premium accounts may have lower fees or a limited number of free wires per month. International wires cost more — typically $45 to $50 depending on the destination country and whether you know the recipient's SWIFT code.
Domestic wires sent before 2 p.m. Eastern time on a business day arrive the same day. Wires sent after 2 p.m. or on weekends and holidays process the next business day. International wires take one to three business days depending on the destination country and the receiving bank's processing speed. Bank of America does not control how fast the receiving bank processes the wire once it arrives.
The fee is deducted from your Bank of America account at the time you send the wire, even if the recipient does not receive the money for several days.
What to do if a wire transfer goes wrong
If you realize you made a mistake immediately after sending, call Bank of America right away. If the wire has not left their system yet, they may be able to stop it. Once it has left, stopping it becomes much harder and may not be possible.
If the money was sent to the wrong account or the recipient never received it, contact Bank of America and provide the wire confirmation number (you get this when you send the wire). Bank of America can trace the wire and see where it went. If it went to another U.S. bank, that bank may be able to recover it, but this process is slow and not always successful. If it went to the wrong international account, recovery is even more difficult.
Keep your wire confirmation number and all details about the transfer. If you need to dispute the wire or file a claim, you will need this information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a wire transfer after I send it?
Not reliably. If you catch the mistake within minutes and call Bank of America immediately, they may be able to stop it before it leaves their system. Once it has been sent to the receiving bank, cancellation is very difficult and may not be possible. This is why you must verify all details before you confirm.
What is the difference between a wire transfer and an ACH transfer?
A wire transfer is faster and more expensive — it usually arrives the same day and costs $15 to $30. An ACH transfer is slower and cheaper — it takes one to three business days and often costs nothing. Use a wire when speed matters; use ACH for routine bills or transfers that are not urgent.
Do I need to tell the recipient I am sending a wire?
Yes. Give them the wire details in advance so they know to expect it and can confirm their bank information is correct. If they do not know a wire is coming, they may not recognize the deposit or may think it is fraud.
What happens if I enter the wrong routing number?
The wire may go to the wrong bank or be rejected. If it is rejected, the money returns to your Bank of America account within a few business days. If it goes to the wrong bank, recovery depends on whether that bank can identify and return the funds — this is slow and not may provide.
Can I wire money from a savings account or only from checking?
You can wire from either a checking or savings account at Bank of America. The fee and delivery time are the same regardless of account type.