Bank of America's wire transfer options and how they work

Bank of America offers three ways to send money by wire: through your online banking portal, by phone with a representative, or in person at a branch. Online wiring is fastest and available 24/7 for most transfers. Phone and branch wires take longer but may be necessary if you do not have online access or need to wire cash you are depositing at the same time.

A wire transfer moves money directly from your Bank of America account to another bank account, usually within one business day. The receiving bank needs specific information: the recipient's full name, account number, routing number, and the bank's name and address. Bank of America charges a fee for outgoing domestic wires (typically $15 for online, $20 by phone) and higher fees for international wires, which vary by destination country.

Once you send a wire, you cannot cancel it if the receiving bank has already processed it. This is why entering the recipient's details correctly matters — a wrong account number or routing number can send money to the wrong person or bank, and recovery is difficult. Bank of America will not reverse a wire on your request alone if the receiving institution has accepted it.

Key Takeaways

  • Online wiring through Bank of America's website or mobile app is available around the clock and costs $15 for domestic transfers.
  • You need the recipient's full name, account number, routing number, and their bank's name and address to complete a wire.
  • Domestic wires typically arrive within one business day; international wires take longer and cost more depending on the destination country.
  • Once a wire is sent and processed by the receiving bank, Bank of America cannot reverse it, so verify all details before confirming.

Sending a wire through Bank of America online

Log into your Bank of America account on the website or mobile app and look for "Transfer Money" or "Wire Funds" in the main menu. Select "Wire Funds" and choose whether you are sending a domestic wire (within the United States) or an international wire. The system will ask you to enter or select the recipient's bank account details.

If you have wired to this recipient before, their information may already be saved. If not, you will enter the recipient's full name, their account number, their bank's routing number, and their bank's name and address. For international wires, you may also need the recipient's address and the bank's SWIFT code. Enter the amount you want to send and review all details carefully before submitting.

Bank of America will show you the fee ($15 for domestic online wires) and the total amount that will leave your account. After you confirm, the wire is sent when ready. You will receive a confirmation number. Keep this number in case you need to track the wire or contact Bank of America about it later.

Wiring money by phone or at a branch

Call Bank of America's customer service line or visit a local branch to send a wire if you prefer not to use online banking. A representative will ask for the same information: the recipient's name, account number, routing number, and bank details. Phone wires cost $20 for domestic transfers, and branch wires may cost the same or vary depending on your account type.

Branch wires have one advantage: if you are depositing cash and want to wire it when ready, a teller can process both transactions together. Online banking does not allow you to wire cash directly — the money must already be in your Bank of America account. If you are sending a large amount and want to deposit cash first, going to a branch may be simpler.

Phone wires take longer to process than online wires because a representative must enter your information manually. Allow an extra business day for phone-initiated wires to reach the receiving bank. Ask the representative for a confirmation number and write it down.

International wire transfers from Bank of America

International wires cost more than domestic wires and take longer to arrive. Bank of America's international wire fee varies by destination country and typically ranges from $35 to $45 for outgoing transfers. The receiving bank may also charge a fee, which is deducted from the amount the recipient receives.

You will need additional information for an international wire: the recipient's full address, their bank's SWIFT code (an eight or eleven-character code that identifies banks worldwide), and sometimes an IBAN (International Bank Account Number) if the destination country uses one. Bank of America's online system will prompt you for these details when you select an international wire.

International wires typically take three to five business days to arrive, depending on the destination country and whether the receiving bank needs to route the money through a correspondent bank. Some countries have slower banking systems or additional security checks that extend this timeline. Bank of America will provide an estimated delivery date when you initiate the wire.

What information you need before you start

Gather the recipient's details before you log in or call. You need their full legal name (as it appears on their bank account), their account number, and their bank's routing number. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the bank in the United States. You can find it on a check from that bank, or ask the recipient to provide it.

For the bank itself, you need its name and mailing address. This is usually the main branch address, not a local branch. If you are unsure, ask the recipient or call their bank directly. Entering the wrong routing number or account number is the most common mistake in wire transfers, so double-check these numbers against a check, a bank statement, or confirmation from the recipient.

For international wires, also collect the recipient's address and their bank's SWIFT code. The SWIFT code is usually available on the bank's website or by calling the bank. Some countries also use an IBAN, which is longer than a routing number and includes the country code and account details in one string.

Wire transfer fees and limits

Bank of America charges $15 for domestic online wires and $20 for domestic wires sent by phone or branch. International wires cost $35 to $45 depending on the destination. These are outgoing wire fees — the fees Bank of America charges you to send money. The receiving bank may charge an incoming wire fee, which reduces the amount the recipient receives.

Bank of America does not publish a maximum wire amount on its website, but most banks limit individual wires to $10,000 or more per day for security reasons. If you need to send more, contact Bank of America directly to ask about your account's limit. Some account types have higher limits than others. Business accounts often have different limits than personal accounts.

Wire fees are charged to your Bank of America account at the time you send the wire. The fee is separate from the amount you are transferring, so if you want the recipient to receive $5,000, you will need $5,015 in your account (plus the $15 fee) for a domestic online wire.

Tracking a wire and what to do if something goes wrong

After you send a wire, Bank of America gives you a confirmation number. Save this number. You can use it to track the wire's status by logging into your account or calling customer service. The confirmation number is also useful if the wire does not arrive on time or if you need to contact the receiving bank.

If the wire does not arrive within the expected timeframe, contact Bank of America first. Provide your confirmation number and the recipient's bank details. Bank of America can check whether the wire was sent correctly and whether the receiving bank has received it. Sometimes wires are delayed because the receiving bank is processing them slowly, not because Bank of America made an error.

If you sent the wire to the wrong account number or routing number, contact Bank of America when ready. The sooner you report the error, the better the chance of recovery. However, if the receiving bank has already processed and released the money, Bank of America cannot reverse the wire. You would need to contact the receiving bank directly and ask them to return the funds, which they are not required to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Bank of America wire transfer take?

Domestic wires usually arrive within one business day. Wires sent after 5 p.m. Eastern Time or on weekends may not process until the next business day. International wires take three to five business days depending on the destination country and whether the receiving bank routes the money through a correspondent bank.

Can I cancel a wire after I send it?

If you cancel before the receiving bank processes it, Bank of America may be able to stop the wire. However, once the receiving bank has accepted the wire, it cannot be reversed. Contact Bank of America when ready with your confirmation number if you need to cancel. Do not wait — the faster you act, the better the chance of stopping it.

What happens if I enter the wrong account number?

The wire may go to a different account at the same bank, or it may be rejected by the receiving bank if the account number does not match the name you provided. Contact Bank of America right away with your confirmation number. If the money reached the wrong account, the receiving bank can attempt to recover it, but they are not required to return it.

Do I need a Bank of America debit card or checkbook to send a wire?

No. You only need access to your Bank of America account through online banking, a phone call, or a branch visit. The money comes from your account balance, not from a card or check. You must have enough money in the account to cover both the transfer amount and the wire fee.

Can I wire money from a savings account or only from checking?

You can wire from either a checking or savings account at Bank of America. The process is the same. The money is deducted from whichever account you select when you initiate the wire.