Huntington Bank does not offer Zelle
Huntington Bank does not participate in Zelle, the peer-to-peer payment network owned by Early Warning Services. If you bank with Huntington and want to send money to someone else's bank account using a phone number or email address, Zelle is not an option through your Huntington account.
This matters because Zelle is one of the most common ways to move money between people at different banks. If you're used to sending money that way at another bank, you'll need to use a different method through Huntington.
Key Takeaways
- Huntington Bank does not support Zelle transfers, so you cannot send money through that network using your Huntington account.
- Huntington offers its own peer-to-peer payment service called Huntington Pay, which works similarly to Zelle but only between Huntington customers.
- You can still receive money from someone who uses Zelle at their bank, but you cannot initiate Zelle transfers yourself from Huntington.
- For sending money to people at other banks, you can use wire transfers, ACH transfers, or external payment apps like Venmo or PayPal.
What Huntington offers instead of Zelle
Huntington Bank's alternative to Zelle is Huntington Pay, which lets you send money to other Huntington customers using their phone number or email address. The transfer happens within Huntington's system, so both people need to be Huntington customers for it to work. Transfers typically arrive within minutes.
If the person you want to send money to banks elsewhere, Huntington Pay won't work. In that case, you'll need to use a different method entirely.
How to send money from Huntington to other banks
You have several options depending on how fast you need the money to arrive and whether you know the recipient's bank details.
ACH transfers are the slowest but most direct method. You can set up a transfer through Huntington's online banking or mobile app by entering the recipient's routing number, account number, and bank name. ACH transfers typically take one to three business days and are free. This works for any U.S. bank account.
Wire transfers are faster but cost money. Huntington charges a fee (the amount varies by account type) and the money usually arrives the same business day or next business day. You'll need the recipient's full name, bank name, routing number, and account number. Wire transfers are best for larger amounts or time-sensitive payments.
Third-party payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, Square Cash, or Google Pay work if both you and the recipient have accounts on the same app. You link your Huntington account to the app and send money that way. Speed and fees vary by app.
Can you receive Zelle payments at Huntington?
Yes. If someone at another bank sends you money through Zelle, it will arrive in your Huntington account. You don't need to do anything special to receive it—your account is set up to accept incoming transfers. The sender initiates the payment from their bank, and Zelle routes it to you.
Receiving Zelle payments is free, and they typically arrive within minutes to a few hours.
Why Huntington doesn't use Zelle
Zelle is owned by Early Warning Services, a company created by a group of large banks. Not all banks choose to join. Huntington decided to build its own peer-to-peer system (Huntington Pay) instead of paying to participate in Zelle. This is a business decision—some banks prefer to own their payment infrastructure rather than share it.
This doesn't mean Huntington's system is worse or better than Zelle; it's just different. The trade-off is that Huntington Pay only works between Huntington customers, whereas Zelle works across many banks.
Comparing your options for sending money from Huntington
| Method | Speed | Cost | Who can receive it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington Pay | Minutes | Free | Other Huntington customers only |
| ACH transfer | 1–3 business days | Free | Any U.S. bank account |
| Wire transfer | Same day or next business day | Fee (varies) | Any U.S. bank account |
| Venmo/PayPal/other apps | Minutes to 1 business day | Free or fee (varies by app) | Anyone with an account on that app |
| Zelle (receiving only) | Minutes to hours | Free | You receive from Zelle users at other banks |
Frequently Asked Questions
If I move to another bank that has Zelle, can I use it there?
Yes. Zelle is available at most large banks and many credit unions. When you open an account at a bank that participates in Zelle, you can use it to send money to anyone at another Zelle-participating bank. Your new bank will show you how to set it up in their app or online banking.
Can I use Zelle through a third-party app if I bank with Huntington?
No. Zelle is only available through participating banks' own apps and websites. You cannot access Zelle through a separate Zelle app or through another bank's app if your own bank doesn't participate.
What if someone sends me money through Zelle but I bank with Huntington?
The money will still arrive in your Huntington account. The sender's bank handles the Zelle side; your bank (Huntington) receives the incoming transfer. You don't need a Zelle account to receive money.
Is Huntington Pay as safe as Zelle?
Both use encryption and fraud protection. Huntington Pay is limited to Huntington customers, which is actually a safety feature—you can only send money to people you can verify are Huntington customers. Zelle's broader network means more people can use it, but also more potential for fraud if you send money to the wrong person.
Can I set up recurring payments with Huntington Pay?
Huntington Pay is designed for one-time transfers. For recurring payments to the same person or business, set up an automatic ACH transfer through Huntington's bill pay or transfer service instead.