Banner Bank does not offer Zelle

Banner Bank, a regional bank based in the Pacific Northwest, does not currently provide Zelle as a money-sending option through its online banking or mobile app. If you bank with Banner and want to send money to another person quickly, you will need to use a different method.

This is not unusual for smaller regional banks. Zelle is owned by Early Warning Services, a network operated by major national banks, and participation is optional. Many community banks and credit unions have chosen not to join, either because they built their own peer-to-peer systems or because the cost and integration work did not fit their priorities.

Key Takeaways

  • Banner Bank does not support Zelle transfers through its website or mobile app.
  • You can still send money from a Banner Bank account using wire transfers, ACH transfers to other banks, or third-party apps like PayPal or Venmo.
  • Wire transfers are fastest but cost money; ACH transfers are free but take one to three business days.
  • If the person you are sending to banks at a Zelle-participating bank, they can receive money from you through their own bank's Zelle interface if you provide your account details.

What you can use instead of Zelle at Banner Bank

Wire transfers are the fastest option. You can send money to another bank account the same day, often within hours. Banner charges a fee for outgoing domestic wires—typically $15 to $25 depending on the transfer type. You will need the recipient's bank name, account number, and routing number.

ACH transfers (Automated Clearing House) are free and work between any two U.S. banks, but they take one to three business days. You can set these up through Banner's online banking by entering the recipient's routing number and account number. This is the slowest option but costs nothing.

Third-party apps like PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, and Google Pay let you send money from your Banner Bank account to friends. These apps link to your bank account and handle the transfer behind the scenes. Speed and fees vary by app and by whether the recipient has an account with the same service.

How to send money if the recipient uses Zelle

If the person you want to send money to banks at a Zelle-participating bank—such as Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, or most major national banks—they can still receive your money through Zelle, even though Banner does not offer it.

Ask them to log into their own bank's app or website, find the Zelle section, and look for an option to receive money. They will provide you with their email address or phone number registered with Zelle. You can then send them money through a third-party app (PayPal, Venmo, etc.) or use a wire transfer, and they can deposit it into their Zelle account from their bank's side.

Alternatively, if you both have accounts with the same third-party app, you can send the money directly through that app without involving your bank at all.

Wire transfers: speed and cost

A wire transfer moves money the same business day, usually within a few hours. Banner processes outgoing wires during business hours, so a transfer sent before 2 p.m. Pacific time on a weekday will typically arrive by end of day. Wires sent after hours or on weekends will process the next business day.

The recipient needs to provide their bank's name, their account number, and their bank's routing number. You will enter this information into Banner's wire transfer form, along with the amount and any message you want to include. Double-check the routing number and account number before confirming—wire transfers cannot be reversed once sent.

Banner's wire transfer fee is not published on their website, so call 1-800-541-2684 or visit a branch to confirm the current charge before you send.

ACH transfers: free but slower

ACH transfers are the cheapest way to move money between banks because they are free. The trade-off is time: they take one to three business days, depending on when you initiate the transfer and how quickly the receiving bank processes it.

Set up an ACH transfer through Banner's online banking by logging in, navigating to transfers, and selecting "send to another bank." You will enter the recipient's bank routing number, account number, and account type (checking or savings). Banner will verify the account with a small test deposit, which may take a day or two. Once verified, you can send money anytime.

ACH transfers work between any two U.S. banks, so this method will work whether the recipient uses Zelle or not. There is no fee on Banner's side, though some banks charge a small fee to receive ACH transfers (this is rare).

Third-party apps linked to your Banner account

PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, and Google Pay all let you link your Banner Bank account and send money to friends. The speed depends on the app: Venmo and Square Cash typically transfer money within one to three business days, while PayPal can be faster if both people have PayPal accounts.

To use any of these apps, download the app, create an account, and link your Banner Bank account by providing your routing number and account number. The app will verify the account with small test deposits. Once linked, you can send money by entering the recipient's email, phone number, or username in the app.

Fees vary. Venmo and Square Cash are free for bank-to-bank transfers but charge a fee if you want instant transfer to a debit card. PayPal charges a fee for sending money to friends if you use a bank account (it is free if both people have PayPal accounts). Check each app's fee schedule before you send.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive money through Zelle if I bank with Banner?

No, Banner does not support Zelle, so you cannot receive money through Zelle using your Banner account. However, people can send you money through wire transfer, ACH transfer, or a third-party app like PayPal or Venmo, and you can receive it in your Banner account.

Is there a Banner Bank app that sends money to other people?

Banner's mobile app does not have a built-in peer-to-peer feature like Zelle. You can use the app to set up wire transfers or ACH transfers to other banks, or you can use third-party apps (PayPal, Venmo, etc.) linked to your Banner account to send money to friends.

What is the cheapest way to send money from Banner Bank?

ACH transfers are free and work to any U.S. bank account, but they take one to three business days. If you need the money to arrive faster, wire transfers cost $15 to $25 and arrive the same day. Third-party apps vary in cost depending on the service and whether you want instant transfer.

Do I need the recipient's bank account number to send them money?

For wire transfers and ACH transfers, yes—you need their account number and their bank's routing number. For third-party apps like Venmo or PayPal, you only need their email address or phone number, and the app handles the bank details behind the scenes.

Can Banner Bank add Zelle in the future?

It is possible, but Banner has not announced plans to do so. If you want Zelle access, you could ask Banner directly by calling 1-800-541-2684 or visiting a branch, or you could open a second account at a bank that does offer Zelle for peer-to-peer transfers.