Wire money through Bank of America online, by phone, or in person
Bank of America lets you send money by wire transfer through online banking, by calling their wire transfer line, or by visiting a branch in person. The method you choose depends on how quickly you need to send the money and whether you have the recipient's banking details ready. Online wires are fastest if you've already set up the recipient; phone and branch wires take longer but work if you're sending to someone new.
Wire transfers move money the same business day if you send before the cutoff time, which is usually 2 p.m. Eastern time on weekdays. Wires sent after that time or on weekends process the next business day. 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.
Key Takeaways
- Domestic wires through Bank of America cost $15 to $30 and arrive the same business day if sent before 2 p.m. Eastern time on a weekday.
- You need the recipient's full name, routing number, account number, and bank name to send a wire; international wires also require a SWIFT code.
- Online banking is fastest for wires to recipients you've already sent to; new recipients require verification that can add time.
- International wires take one to three business days and cost $45 or more, depending on the destination country and whether the bank uses a correspondent network.
Sending a domestic wire online through Bank of America
Log into your Bank of America online account and go to the Transfers section. Select "Wire Money" and choose whether you're sending to a recipient you've wired to before or a new recipient. If the person is already in your recipient list, you can enter the amount and send the wire immediately; it will process the same business day if sent before 2 p.m. Eastern time.
For a new recipient, you'll need to enter their full name, routing number, account number, and the name of their bank. Bank of America will verify this information before the wire leaves your account. Verification can take a few hours to a full business day, so the wire may not send until the next day even if you submit it before the cutoff. Once verified, the money typically arrives in the recipient's account within hours.
Bank of America charges $15 for online domestic wires if you have a Preferred Rewards membership or a premium account; standard checking accounts pay $30. The fee is deducted from your account when the wire is sent.
Sending a wire by phone or at a branch
Call Bank of America's wire transfer line at 1-800-869-3557 to send a wire by phone. Have the recipient's full name, routing number, account number, and bank name ready. The representative will verify your identity, confirm the wire details, and process the transfer. Phone wires are subject to the same 2 p.m. cutoff for same-day processing and the same fees as online wires.
You can also visit a Bank of America branch in person to send a wire. Bring a valid ID and have the recipient's banking information available. Branch staff will fill out the wire form with you, verify the details, and process the transfer on the spot. In-person wires may take longer than online or phone wires because the branch has to enter the information into the system, but they're useful if you don't have online access or prefer to speak with someone face-to-face.
International wire transfers from Bank of America
International wires require additional information beyond what a domestic wire needs. You'll need the recipient's SWIFT code (also called a BIC code), which identifies their bank internationally. Some countries also require an IBAN (International Bank Account Number) instead of or in addition to an account number. Bank of America's online banking system will prompt you for these details when you select an international wire.
International wires take one to three business days to arrive, depending on the destination country and whether Bank of America has a direct relationship with the recipient's bank. If the banks don't have a direct connection, the wire travels through a correspondent bank, which adds time and may add fees. Bank of America charges $45 or more for outgoing international wires; some destinations cost significantly more. You'll see the exact fee before you confirm the wire.
The recipient may also pay a fee on their end when the wire arrives, depending on their bank's policies. If you're sending money internationally, ask the recipient what their bank charges so you can factor that into the total cost.
What information you need to send a wire
| Wire Type | Information Needed |
|---|---|
| Domestic (U.S.) | Recipient's full name, routing number, account number, bank name |
| International | Recipient's full name, account number or IBAN, SWIFT code, bank name, recipient's address |
If you're missing any of this information, the wire cannot be sent. Ask the recipient to provide their bank's routing number and account number, or have them log into their own online banking to find it. For international wires, the recipient's bank can provide the SWIFT code and IBAN if the recipient doesn't know them.
Double-check all details before submitting the wire, especially the account number and routing number. A mistake in either field can send your money to the wrong account, and recovery is difficult once the wire has been processed.
Canceling or stopping a wire after it's sent
Once a wire leaves Bank of America's system, it cannot be stopped or canceled. Domestic wires typically arrive within hours, so there's a narrow window to act if you realize you made a mistake. If you catch the error before the wire has been sent (while it's still pending), you can cancel it through online banking or by calling the wire transfer line immediately.
If the wire has already arrived at the recipient's bank, you'll need to contact the recipient directly and ask them to return the money. If they refuse or you can't reach them, you may need to file a dispute with Bank of America or pursue legal action. This is why it's critical to double-check the recipient's account number and routing number before confirming any wire.
Wire transfer fees and account types
Bank of America's wire transfer fees vary by account type. Preferred Rewards members and customers with premium accounts like Platinum or Diamond pay $15 for domestic wires. Standard checking account holders pay $30. International wires cost $45 or more depending on the destination.
Some Bank of America accounts include a limited number of free wires per month or per year. Check your account terms or call customer service at 1-800-869-3557 to see if your account includes any wire transfer benefits. If you send wires regularly, the cost difference between account types may justify upgrading to a Preferred Rewards membership.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Bank of America wire transfer take?
Domestic wires arrive the same business day if sent before 2 p.m. Eastern time on a weekday; wires sent after that time or on weekends process the next business day. International wires take one to three business days depending on the destination country and whether the banks have a direct relationship.
Can I send a wire transfer on a weekend?
You can submit a wire on a weekend through online banking, but it won't process until the next business day. Phone and branch wires are not available on weekends. If you need to send money urgently on a weekend, consider using a different payment method like a same-day ACH transfer or a peer payment app.
What happens if I enter the wrong account number?
If the account number doesn't match any account at the recipient's bank, the wire will be rejected and returned to your Bank of America account within one to three business days. If the account number matches a different person's account, the money will go to that person instead, and recovery is difficult. Always verify the account number with the recipient before sending.
Do I need a Bank of America account to receive a wire transfer?
No. The recipient can have an account at any U.S. bank. You only need to know their routing number and account number, which work with any bank in the country. International recipients need to have an account at a bank that can receive international wire transfers.
Is there a limit on how much I can wire?
Bank of America sets daily and monthly wire transfer limits that vary by account type and account history. New accounts typically have lower limits than established accounts. Log into your online banking or call 1-800-869-3557 to find out your specific limit. If you need to wire more than your limit, you may be able to request a temporary increase.