The fastest way depends on where your money is now
If you're moving money from another bank into Bank of America, you have four main routes: wire transfer (fastest, costs money), ACH transfer (free, takes 1–3 business days), mobile check deposit (if you have a paper check), or in-person cash deposit (if you have cash and a nearby branch). Which one makes sense depends on how much money you're moving, how quickly you need it, and what form it's in right now.
Wire transfers arrive the same day but cost $15 to $30. ACH transfers are free but slower. If you're moving your entire account balance, ACH is usually the right choice unless you need the money urgently. If you're depositing a check or cash, you can skip the other bank entirely and go straight to Bank of America.
Key Takeaways
- Wire transfers move money the same business day but cost $15 to $30; ACH transfers are free but take 1–3 business days.
- To start an ACH transfer, log into your Bank of America account, select "Transfer Money," and enter your other bank's routing number and your account number there.
- Your other bank may also initiate the transfer on their end, which sometimes clears faster than waiting for Bank of America to pull the money.
- Wire transfers require you to provide Bank of America with your other bank's name, your account number there, and the routing number—all of which must match exactly.
- If you have a paper check or cash, deposit it directly at a Bank of America branch or through the mobile app instead of transferring from another bank.
Setting up an ACH transfer from another bank
Log into your Bank of America account online or through the mobile app. Go to "Transfer Money" or "Transfers & Payments" (the exact name varies by app version). Select "Transfer from another bank" or "External transfer." Bank of America will ask for your other bank's routing number and your account number at that bank.
Enter the amount you want to move and the date you want it to happen. Bank of America will then send an ACH request to your other bank. The money usually arrives within 1–3 business days, though some banks process it faster. You can check the status in your Bank of America account under recent transfers.
If you're not sure of your routing number, you can find it on a check from that bank (it's the nine-digit number on the left side of the bottom), or call the bank and ask. Make sure the number is correct—a wrong routing number will send your money to the wrong place and delay everything.
Initiating a wire transfer for same-day delivery
Wire transfers cost money but move the same business day. To send a wire, call Bank of America at the number on the back of your card or visit a branch in person. You'll need to provide the name of your other bank, your account number there, and the routing number. Bank of America will also ask for the account holder's name (yours) to confirm it matches.
The fee is typically $15 to $30 depending on whether you're sending money domestically or internationally. Once you authorize the wire, Bank of America sends it immediately. Your other bank should receive it by the end of the business day. If you send it after 2 p.m. on a Friday, it may not arrive until Monday.
Double-check all the details before you confirm—routing numbers, account numbers, and names must match exactly, or the wire will be rejected or sent to the wrong account. If something goes wrong, contact Bank of America right away; they can sometimes recall a wire, but not always.
Using your other bank to push money to Bank of America
You don't have to wait for Bank of America to pull the money. Your current bank can push it to Bank of America instead. Log into your other bank's website or app, find the "Transfer Money" or "Send Money" section, and select "Transfer to another bank." Enter Bank of America's routing number (021000021 for most Bank of America accounts) and your Bank of America account number.
This is an ACH transfer too, so it takes 1–3 business days. The advantage is that you control the timing from your current bank's side, and some banks process outgoing transfers faster than incoming ones. If you're in a hurry, ask your current bank whether they offer next-day ACH or same-day ACH; some do, though it may cost extra or require a higher account tier.
Depositing checks and cash directly
If you have a paper check from your other bank, don't transfer it—deposit it. Open the Bank of America mobile app, go to "Deposit a Check," take a photo of the front and back of the check, and submit it. The check usually clears within 1–2 business days. You can also walk into any Bank of America branch and hand the check to a teller.
If you have cash, take it to a Bank of America branch and deposit it directly. Cash deposits show up in your account immediately or within one business day, depending on the time of day and the branch's processing schedule. There's no fee for either method.
What to do if a transfer is delayed or doesn't arrive
ACH transfers usually take 1–3 business days. If it's been longer than that, log into your Bank of America account and check the transfer status. If it shows "pending," wait another business day. If it shows "failed" or "rejected," the most common reasons are a wrong routing number, a wrong account number, or a mismatch between the account holder's name and the name on file at your other bank.
Call Bank of America at the number on the back of your card and have them check the transfer details. If the routing number or account number was wrong, you'll need to start a new transfer with the correct information. If the transfer was rejected by your other bank, they can tell you why—sometimes it's because the account is closed or frozen, or because the bank flagged it as suspicious.
Wire transfers that don't arrive the same day should be investigated immediately. Call Bank of America and ask them to trace the wire. Provide the confirmation number you received when you sent it. They can contact the receiving bank and find out whether the wire arrived and where it went.
Fees and limits on transfers
ACH transfers from Bank of America are free. Wire transfers cost $15 to $30 depending on whether they're domestic or international. Bank of America does not charge a fee to receive an ACH transfer or wire transfer from another bank.
There is no daily limit on how much you can transfer via ACH or wire, but your other bank may have limits on how much you can send out in a single day. Check with them before you try to move a large amount. Some banks also limit the number of external transfers you can make per month, though Bank of America does not.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to transfer money from another bank to Bank of America?
ACH transfers take 1–3 business days. Wire transfers arrive the same business day if you send them before 2 p.m. Check deposits and cash deposits show up within 1–2 business days or immediately, depending on the time and method.
What's Bank of America's routing number?
The routing number for most Bank of America accounts is 021000021. If you're not sure, log into your Bank of America account online and look for the routing number in the account details section, or call the number on the back of your card.
Can I transfer money from a savings account at another bank?
Yes. ACH and wire transfers work the same way whether the money is in a checking or savings account. Just make sure you enter the correct account number for the account you're transferring from.
What happens if I enter the wrong routing number?
The transfer will be sent to the wrong bank. Contact Bank of America immediately and ask them to recall it. They can sometimes stop it before it clears, but not always. If it goes through, the other bank may return it, which takes another 1–3 business days.
Do I need to set up anything in advance to transfer money from another bank?
No. You can transfer money the first time you try. Bank of America will ask for your other bank's routing number and your account number there, and you provide them at the time of the transfer. Some banks require you to verify a small deposit first, but Bank of America does not.