Wire transfers to Bank of America arrive in one to two business days, and you can send them from another bank, a wire service, or in person at a Bank of America branch
A wire transfer moves money directly from one bank account to another through the Federal Reserve's wire network. To send money to a Bank of America account, you need the recipient's full name, account number, and routing number — and you initiate the transfer from your own bank or a wire service, not from Bank of America itself. The receiving account holder does not need to do anything; the money lands in their account automatically once the transfer clears.
Wire transfers are faster and more secure than checks or ACH transfers, but they cost money and cannot be reversed once sent. Most banks charge $15 to $30 to send a domestic wire, and some charge a fee to receive one as well. If you are sending money to someone you do not know well, or if the amount is large, confirm the account details by phone before you wire — wiring to the wrong account is nearly impossible to recover from.
Key Takeaways
- You initiate a wire transfer from your own bank or a wire service; the recipient's Bank of America account receives the money automatically within one to two business days.
- You will need the recipient's full name, Bank of America account number, and routing number (021000021 for most Bank of America accounts).
- Domestic wires typically cost $15 to $30 and cannot be reversed, so verify the account details before you send.
- Bank of America branches can send wires in person, and online banking portals let you send wires from home if your bank offers that service.
How to send a wire from your bank's online platform
Most banks let you send a domestic wire through their website or mobile app. Log into your account, look for "Send Money," "Wire Transfer," or "Payments," and select the option to send a wire. You will be asked to enter the recipient's name, account number, and routing number. For Bank of America, the routing number is 021000021 for most accounts, but confirm this with the recipient or check their deposit slip — some Bank of America accounts in different states or for different account types use different routing numbers.
Enter the amount you want to send and review all details before you confirm. Your bank will show you the wire fee at this point. Once you submit, the wire is sent the same business day if you send it before your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 or 3 p.m. Eastern). If you send it after hours or on a weekend, it will go out the next business day. Bank of America will receive the wire and deposit it into the recipient's account within one business day, though it often arrives the same day.
Sending a wire in person at a Bank of America branch
Walk into any Bank of America branch with your ID and cash or a debit card. Tell the teller you want to send a domestic wire transfer. Provide the recipient's full name, account number, routing number, and the amount. The teller will fill out a wire form, show you the fee, and process the transfer. You will receive a receipt with a confirmation number and the wire reference number — keep this in case you need to track the wire later.
In-person wires are processed the same day if you arrive before the branch closes, and they follow the same one- to two-business-day timeline to reach the recipient's account. This method works well if you do not have online banking set up or if you prefer to hand over cash and get a paper receipt.
Using a wire service like Western Union or MoneyGram
If you do not have a bank account or prefer not to wire from your bank, you can use a wire service. Western Union and MoneyGram have locations at grocery stores, pharmacies, and standalone offices. You walk in with cash or a debit card, tell the agent you want to send money to a bank account, and provide the recipient's name, Bank of America account number, routing number, and the amount.
Wire services charge more than banks — typically $15 to $50 depending on the amount — and the money may take an extra business day to arrive because it goes through the wire service's bank first. However, wire services do not require you to have a bank account, and some let you send money without an ID if you are under a certain amount. Ask the agent about their fees and timeline before you pay.
What information you need from the recipient
Before you wire anything, get these details in writing from the person receiving the money:
- Full legal name (exactly as it appears on the Bank of America account)
- Bank of America account number (usually 10 digits)
- Bank of America routing number (021000021 for most accounts, but confirm)
- The amount you are sending
If any detail is wrong — especially the account number or routing number — the wire will go to the wrong account and you will have almost no way to recover it. Call the recipient and read back the details before you send. If they gave you a deposit slip or bank statement, use those as your source of truth rather than relying on memory or a text message.
What happens if the wire goes to the wrong account
Once a wire is sent, it is nearly impossible to reverse. Your bank can file a trace to try to recover the money, but this only works if the receiving bank cooperates — and they are not required to. The process takes weeks and often fails. If the money went to the wrong account at Bank of America, contact Bank of America's fraud department immediately with your wire confirmation number and ask them to attempt a recovery. They may be able to contact the account holder and ask them to return the funds, but there is no may provide.
This is why confirming the account details by phone before you wire is so important. A few minutes of verification can save you from losing money that you cannot get back.
Wire transfer timing and when the money arrives
Domestic wires sent before your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 or 3 p.m. Eastern on a business day) are processed the same day. Bank of America receives the wire the next business day and deposits it into the recipient's account. In practice, many wires arrive the same day they are sent, especially if both banks process them early in the day. Wires sent after hours, on weekends, or on federal holidays are processed the next business day.
Once the money is in the recipient's Bank of America account, it is available immediately — there is no hold. If you need the money to arrive by a specific date, send it at least one business day early to account for processing delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wire money to a Bank of America savings account?
Yes. Wire transfers work the same way for savings accounts as they do for checking accounts. You use the same routing number (021000021) and the account number from the savings account. The money arrives in the savings account and is available immediately.
What is the maximum amount I can wire?
Most banks allow domestic wires up to $100,000 or more per day, but limits vary by bank and account type. Check with your bank about your specific limit. If you need to send more, you may be able to split it into multiple wires or contact your bank to request a higher limit.
Do I need the recipient's permission to wire them money?
No. You can wire money to anyone's account as long as you have their account number and routing number. The recipient does not need to do anything — the money appears in their account automatically. However, if you are sending a large amount or to someone you do not know well, it is a good idea to tell them first so they are not surprised.
Can I cancel a wire transfer after I send it?
Not usually. Once a wire is sent and processed by your bank, it cannot be stopped. If you realize you made a mistake immediately after sending it, call your bank right away and ask them to attempt a recall, but this rarely works. This is why reviewing all details before you confirm is so important.
Will Bank of America charge a fee to receive a wire?
Bank of America may charge the recipient a fee to receive a wire, typically $10 to $15, though this varies by account type. The recipient should check with their branch or online banking to see what their incoming wire fee is. Some accounts do not charge an incoming wire fee at all.