Wire money from Bank of America through online banking, mobile app, or in person at a branch
Bank of America lets you send money by wire in three ways: through your online account, through the mobile app, or by walking into a branch and asking a teller. Online and mobile are fastest — you can initiate a wire in minutes, though it takes one to two business days to arrive at the receiving bank. In-person wires at a branch work the same way but add a trip. All three routes require the same information about where the money is going: the recipient's bank name, account number, routing number, and the amount.
Wires are not reversible once sent, so double-check the account and routing numbers before you confirm. Bank of America charges a fee for outgoing domestic wires (currently $15 for online and mobile, $20 at a branch, though these amounts vary by account type) and higher fees for international wires. The money leaves your account immediately when you send it, even though it may take a day or two to show up on the other end.
Key Takeaways
- Online and mobile wires take one to two business days to arrive and cost $15 per domestic wire; branch wires cost $20 and take the same time.
- You need the recipient's bank name, account number, routing number, and the exact amount before you start.
- Wires cannot be stopped or reversed after you send them, so verify all details before confirming.
- International wires cost more and may take three to five business days, depending on the receiving country and bank.
- Money leaves your Bank of America account immediately when you send a wire, even if it has not yet arrived at the destination.
Sending a wire through Bank of America online banking
Log into your Bank of America online account and look for "Transfer Money" or "Wire Funds" in the main menu — the exact label depends on your account type. Click it and select "Wire Funds" if given a choice between wire and other transfer types. Bank of America will ask you whether the wire is domestic (within the United States) or international, because the process and fees differ.
For a domestic wire, enter the recipient's name, bank name, account number, and nine-digit routing number. Bank of America will verify the routing number as you type. Enter the amount and a description of what the money is for (this appears on your statement, not on the recipient's). Review all details carefully — routing numbers and account numbers are easy to transpose, and a mistake means the money goes to the wrong place. Click "Confirm" and Bank of America will ask you to verify through your security method (text message, security key, or other option you have set up). Once you confirm, the wire is sent and cannot be stopped.
You will see a confirmation number on screen and in your email. Save this number in case you need to track the wire or contact Bank of America about it later. The money leaves your account the same day, but the receiving bank may not post it for one to two business days.
Sending a wire through the Bank of America mobile app
Open the Bank of America mobile app and tap "Transfer" at the bottom of the screen. Select "Wire Funds" from the menu. The app walks you through the same steps as online banking: choose domestic or international, enter recipient details, enter the amount, and confirm through your security method.
The mobile app is faster if you are on the go, but the same rules apply — you cannot undo a wire after you send it, and the fee is the same ($15 for domestic). If you have sent a wire to this recipient before, the app may save their details and let you select them from a list, which speeds up repeat transfers. Check the saved information carefully before you use it, because a typo from a previous wire will repeat.
Sending a wire in person at a Bank of America branch
Walk into any Bank of America branch during business hours and tell a teller you want to send a wire. Bring a photo ID and the recipient's banking information: their name, bank name, account number, and routing number. The teller will fill out a wire form with you, verify the details, and process the wire on the spot.
In-person wires cost $20 instead of $15, and they take the same one to two business days to arrive as online or mobile wires. The advantage is that a teller can answer questions about routing numbers or help if you are unsure whether you have the right account number. The disadvantage is that you have to go to the branch during their hours. If you are sending a large amount or an international wire, some branches may ask additional questions about the source of the money or the purpose of the transfer, as required by federal law.
International wires and higher fees
Sending money outside the United States costs more and takes longer. Bank of America charges a flat fee for the wire itself (currently $45 for most countries, though some countries cost more) plus a fee for currency conversion if the receiving bank uses a different currency. The receiving bank may also charge a fee on their end, which comes out of the amount the recipient gets.
International wires typically take three to five business days, depending on the receiving country and whether the receiving bank is a direct correspondent of Bank of America or requires an intermediary bank. You will need the recipient's International Bank Account Number (IBAN) or SWIFT code instead of a routing number. Bank of America's online banking and mobile app both have fields for international wires and will guide you through entering this information.
Before you send an international wire, ask the recipient what information their bank needs and whether they know the exact fees their bank will charge. Some banks charge a flat fee; others charge a percentage of the amount received. Knowing this in advance prevents surprises when the money arrives.
What happens if you send money to the wrong account
If you realize you entered the wrong account number or routing number after you send the wire, contact Bank of America immediately by phone or in person at a branch. A wire cannot be recalled once it has left Bank of America's system, but if you catch it within a few hours, Bank of America may be able to stop it before it reaches the receiving bank.
If the wire has already arrived at the receiving bank, you will need to contact that bank and ask them to reverse the transaction or return the funds. This is not may provide — the receiving bank is not required to reverse a wire, and if the account holder has already withdrawn the money, recovery becomes much harder. In some cases, you may need to file a dispute or contact law enforcement if the money was sent to a fraudulent account.
This is why verifying the account number and routing number before you send is critical. Ask the recipient to confirm these numbers in writing, or look them up yourself on the receiving bank's website if you are unsure.
Wire transfer timing and when the money arrives
Bank of America processes domestic wires the same day you send them if you send before the cutoff time, which is usually 2 p.m. Eastern Time on business days. Wires sent after 2 p.m. or on weekends or holidays are processed the next business day. The receiving bank then has one to two business days to post the money to the recipient's account, depending on their own processing schedule.
This means a wire sent on a Monday morning may arrive by Tuesday afternoon, but a wire sent on Friday afternoon may not arrive until the following Tuesday. International wires take longer because they pass through multiple banks and may involve currency conversion, adding two to three extra days.
Bank of America shows the wire as "pending" in your account until it clears. Once it clears, the money is gone from your account and you cannot reverse it. The receiving bank will show it as "pending" on their end until they post it, which is when the recipient can use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a wire after I send it?
Not reliably. If you catch the error within minutes and contact Bank of America immediately by phone, they may be able to stop it before it leaves their system. Once it reaches the receiving bank, cancellation is not possible — you would have to ask the receiving bank to reverse it, which they are not required to do. This is why wires are used for large, time-sensitive transfers where you are certain of the details.
What if the wire does not arrive after two business days?
Contact Bank of America with your confirmation number and ask them to trace the wire. They can check whether it left their system and where it went. If it is stuck at an intermediary bank (common with international wires), Bank of America can contact that bank on your behalf. If it arrived at the receiving bank but has not been posted to the account, ask the recipient to contact their bank.
Do I need to tell the recipient I am sending a wire?
Yes. The recipient needs to know a wire is coming so they can watch for it and know which account it is going to. Wires do not have a sender's name attached in most cases, so the recipient may not know where the money came from without you telling them. This also prevents confusion if the wire arrives under a slightly different name than expected.
Are there limits on how much I can wire?
Bank of America sets daily and monthly wire limits that vary by account type and your account history. Check your online banking settings or call Bank of America to find out your limit. If you need to send more than your limit, you can request a temporary increase, though this may take a day or two to process.
What is the difference between a wire and an ACH transfer?
A wire is faster (one to two days) but costs a fee and cannot be reversed. An ACH transfer is slower (three to five days) but is free and can be reversed within a certain window. Use a wire when you need the money to arrive quickly and you are certain of the details. Use ACH for routine bills and transfers where speed is not critical.