Wire transfers from Bank of America: the basic steps
To send a wire transfer from Bank of America, log into your online banking account, select "Transfer Money," then choose "Wire Transfer" from the menu. You will need the recipient's full name, bank name, routing number, and account number. Bank of America will show you the wire fee (typically $15 for domestic wires, $45 for international) before you confirm. The transfer processes the same business day if sent before the cutoff time, usually 2 p.m. Eastern Time on weekdays.
If you prefer not to use online banking, you can walk into any Bank of America branch and ask a teller to send a wire. Bring a photo ID and have the recipient's banking details ready. The teller will fill out the wire form with you and take payment from your account on the spot. This method takes the same amount of time as online but gives you a paper receipt immediately.
You can also call Bank of America's wire transfer line at 1-800-869-3557 to send a wire by phone. A representative will ask for the recipient's information and your account details, then process the transfer. Phone wires carry the same fees and timeline as online or in-branch transfers.
Key Takeaways
- Domestic wire transfers from Bank of America cost $15 and arrive the same business day if sent before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on a weekday.
- You need the recipient's full name, their bank name, routing number, and account number to complete a wire transfer.
- International wire transfers cost $45 and may take one to three business days depending on the destination country and receiving bank.
- You can send a wire online, at a branch, or by phone; all three methods charge the same fee and have the same delivery timeline.
What information you need before you start
Gather the recipient's banking details before you begin the wire transfer. You will need their full legal name exactly as it appears on their bank account—misspellings or nicknames can delay or reject the transfer. Ask the recipient to confirm their name with you in writing if possible.
Next, get the name of their bank and the routing number. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the bank. If the recipient is in the United States, you can find the routing number on the American Bankers Association website or ask the recipient's bank directly. For international wires, you will need the SWIFT code instead of a routing number; the SWIFT code identifies the bank internationally.
Finally, collect the recipient's account number. This is the number of the specific account at their bank where the money will land. Do not confuse it with a debit card number or any other account identifier. Ask the recipient to double-check this number with you before you send the wire.
Domestic versus international wire transfers
A domestic wire transfer stays within the United States. It uses the recipient's routing number and account number, costs $15, and arrives the same business day if you send it before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on a weekday. If you send it after 2 p.m. or on a weekend, it will process the next business day.
An international wire transfer goes to a bank outside the United States. It costs $45 and takes one to three business days to arrive, depending on the receiving country and the receiving bank's processing speed. You will need the recipient's SWIFT code instead of a routing number. Some countries also require an IBAN (International Bank Account Number), which is a longer code that identifies the specific account internationally. Ask the recipient for both the SWIFT code and IBAN if they are outside the US.
International wires may also be subject to currency conversion if the recipient's account is in a different currency. Bank of America will show you the exchange rate before you confirm the transfer. The recipient may also face fees from their own bank for receiving an international wire; those fees come out of the amount they receive, not from what you send.
Wire transfer cutoff times and processing delays
Bank of America processes domestic wire transfers sent before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on business days the same day. A wire sent at 1:45 p.m. on a Tuesday will arrive at the recipient's bank by end of business that same day. A wire sent at 2:15 p.m. or later will not process until the next business day.
Weekends and federal holidays do not count as business days. A wire sent on Saturday or Sunday will not process until Monday. If Monday is a federal holiday, it will not process until Tuesday. Bank of America's website shows the current cutoff time when you initiate a wire, so you will know exactly when your wire will arrive.
Once Bank of America sends the wire, the receiving bank controls how quickly it appears in the recipient's account. Most banks post domestic wires within hours of receipt, but some may hold the funds for one business day as part of their internal process. If the recipient does not see the money by the next business day, ask them to contact their bank to confirm receipt.
Fees and what they cover
Bank of America charges $15 for each domestic wire transfer and $45 for each international wire transfer. These are one-time fees charged when you send the wire. The fee is deducted from your Bank of America account at the time of transfer.
The fee covers Bank of America's processing of the wire only. It does not cover fees that the receiving bank may charge. Some banks charge their customers a fee to receive a wire transfer; that fee comes out of the amount the recipient gets. Ask the recipient whether their bank charges an incoming wire fee so they know what to expect.
If you need to cancel a wire transfer after you have sent it, contact Bank of America immediately. Domestic wires can sometimes be stopped if caught within a few minutes of sending, but international wires are much harder to recall once they leave Bank of America's system. There may be a cancellation fee, and you may not recover the original wire fee.
What to do if a wire transfer goes wrong
If the recipient says they did not receive the money after one business day, contact Bank of America right away. Call 1-800-869-3557 or visit your local branch with your wire confirmation number. Bank of America can trace the wire and confirm whether it arrived at the receiving bank.
If the wire arrived at the receiving bank but the recipient's account was not credited, the problem is on the receiving bank's side. Ask the recipient to contact their bank with the wire details. The receiving bank may have rejected the wire due to a name mismatch, a closed account, or a system error. The receiving bank can tell the recipient what happened and whether the money will be returned.
If Bank of America confirms the wire never left their system, ask whether it can be resent to the correct account. If the wire was sent to the wrong bank or account number due to an error on your part, Bank of America may not be able to recover it. Some receiving banks will return wires sent to incorrect accounts, but others will not. This is why confirming all details before sending is critical.
Alternatives to wire transfers
Wire transfers are fast but expensive and hard to reverse. If you have time and want to save money, consider other options. A bank transfer or ACH transfer moves money between accounts at different banks for free or for a small fee ($1 to $3). It takes one to three business days instead of the same day. Bank of America offers free ACH transfers through online banking.
If the recipient is also a Bank of America customer, you can use Zelle, Bank of America's peer-to-peer payment service. Zelle transfers money between Bank of America accounts and accounts at other banks instantly or within minutes, with no fee. You need the recipient's email address or phone number, not their routing and account numbers. Zelle works best for smaller amounts and transfers between people you know.
For very large transfers or transfers to countries where wire is the only option, wire transfer is still the best choice despite the cost. But for routine payments to friends, family, or small vendors, ACH or Zelle may be faster and cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a wire transfer from a savings account or only from checking?
You can send a wire from either a checking or savings account at Bank of America. The process is the same regardless of account type. The fee and processing time do not change based on which account you use.
What happens if I send a wire to the wrong account number by mistake?
Once a wire leaves Bank of America, it is very difficult to recover. The money goes to the account number you provided, even if it belongs to the wrong person or bank. Contact Bank of America immediately with your wire confirmation number. They can attempt to recall the wire, but success depends on whether the receiving bank has already credited the account. If the money was credited, the receiving bank may refuse to return it without the account holder's consent.
Do I need to tell the recipient I am sending a wire, or will they see it automatically?
Tell the recipient before you send the wire so they know to expect it and can watch for it in their account. Wire transfers do not come with a notification from the sending bank; the recipient only sees the money appear in their account. If they are not expecting it, they may think it is fraud or a mistake.
How long does an international wire transfer actually take?
Bank of America sends international wires the same day if sent before 2 p.m. Eastern Time, but the receiving bank may take one to three business days to process it. The timeline depends on the destination country, the receiving bank's processing speed, and whether the wire passes through intermediary banks. Ask the recipient's bank how long incoming international wires typically take.
Can I set up a recurring wire transfer, or do I have to send each one manually?
Bank of America does not offer automatic recurring wire transfers through online banking. You must initiate each wire manually. If you need to send regular wires to the same recipient, consider setting up a standing ACH transfer instead, which can repeat automatically each month at no cost.