The main ways to send money from Bank of America

Bank of America offers four main paths to move money out of your account: wire transfers, ACH transfers (which move money between bank accounts), bill pay (which sends money to a biller on your behalf), and Zelle (which transfers money directly to another person's bank account). Which one you use depends on where the money is going, how fast you need it to arrive, and whether you are sending to a person or a business.

Wire transfers are the fastest but cost money and are hardest to reverse. ACH transfers are free and work between most U.S. banks but take one to three business days. Bill pay is free and works for any business with a mailing address, but the slowest route. Zelle is free and when ready but only works if both people have accounts at banks that support it.

You can start any of these transfers from the Bank of America website, the mobile app, or by calling 1-800-432-1000. The steps are slightly different for each method, and the timing and fees vary.

Key Takeaways

  • Wire transfers move money the same day but cost $15 to $30 and cannot be reversed once sent.
  • ACH transfers are free and work between most U.S. bank accounts but take one to three business days to arrive.
  • Bill pay is free and works for any business, but mail delivery means it takes five to ten business days.
  • Zelle transfers money when ready between people at participating banks and costs nothing, but both accounts must be enrolled.
  • You can set up any transfer from your Bank of America account online, through the app, or by phone.

Wire transfers: fastest, but not reversible

A wire transfer moves money directly from your Bank of America account to another bank account on the same day. Bank of America charges $15 for a domestic wire (money staying in the U.S.) and $45 for an international wire (money going outside the U.S.). The money usually arrives within hours, sometimes the same day.

To send a wire, you need the recipient's full name, bank name, account number, and routing number. If the money is going to another country, you also need the recipient's address and sometimes a SWIFT code (an international bank identifier). You can send a wire from the Bank of America website under "Transfer & Pay," from the mobile app, or by calling the wire desk at 1-800-869-3557.

The critical thing about wires: once sent, they cannot be reversed. If you send money to the wrong account or the wrong person, Bank of America can try to recall it, but the receiving bank is not required to return it. This is why wires are best for transfers you are certain about — paying a known vendor, sending money to someone you trust, or moving your own money between accounts you own.

ACH transfers: free and reliable, but slower

An ACH transfer (Automated Clearing House) moves money between U.S. bank accounts through the Federal Reserve's clearing system. It is free, works with nearly every U.S. bank, and is reversible if something goes wrong. The tradeoff is timing: ACH transfers take one to three business days to arrive, depending on when you send them and the receiving bank's processing schedule.

To send an ACH transfer from Bank of America, you need the recipient's account number and routing number. You can set this up from the website under "Transfer & Pay" by selecting "Transfer to another bank," or from the mobile app. Bank of America processes ACH transfers on business days only, so a transfer sent on Friday evening will not start moving until Monday.

ACH transfers have a daily limit. Bank of America typically allows up to $10,000 per ACH transfer, though this can vary by account type and your history with the bank. If you need to send more, you can split it across multiple days or call 1-800-432-1000 to ask about raising your limit.

Bill pay: free but slow, works for any business

Bill pay is Bank of America's system for sending money to a business or person by check. You tell Bank of America who to pay, how much, and when, and the bank mails a check on your behalf. This is free and works for any business with a mailing address — you do not need their bank account number.

The downside is speed. Bill pay checks typically take five to ten business days to arrive after you schedule the payment, depending on mail delivery. If a bill is due soon, bill pay is usually too slow. You can set up bill pay from the Bank of America website under "Bill Pay," from the mobile app, or by phone.

Bill pay is useful for one-time payments to small businesses, landlords, or contractors who do not have online payment systems. It is also useful if you do not have the recipient's bank details but have their mailing address.

Zelle: when ready transfers between people, if both banks support it

Zelle is a real-time payment system that moves money when ready between people at participating banks. Bank of America customers can use Zelle to send money to anyone with a bank account at another Zelle-participating bank. The transfer is free and usually arrives within minutes.

To send money via Zelle, you need the recipient's email address or phone number (not their account number). You can send Zelle transfers from the Bank of America website or mobile app by selecting "Send Money" and choosing Zelle. The recipient must also have Zelle set up at their bank, or they will receive a notification to enroll before they can receive the money.

Zelle works well for splitting rent with roommates, paying friends back, or sending money to family. The daily limit is typically $500 to $2,000 per transaction, depending on your bank and account history. Not all banks support Zelle — smaller regional banks and some credit unions do not — so check whether the recipient's bank is on the Zelle network before you try to send.

Setting up a transfer from your Bank of America account

The steps are similar across all transfer types. Log into your Bank of America account online or open the mobile app. Look for "Transfer & Pay" or "Send Money" in the main menu. Select the type of transfer you want to make (wire, ACH, bill pay, or Zelle). Enter the recipient's information — this varies by transfer type but usually includes name and account details. Enter the amount and the date you want the transfer to happen. Review the details and confirm.

Bank of America will show you any fees before you confirm. Once you confirm, the transfer is scheduled. You can cancel most transfers before they process — usually up until the end of the business day — but wires cannot be cancelled once they leave your account.

If you prefer not to use the website or app, you can call 1-800-432-1000 to speak with a representative who can process the transfer for you over the phone. This takes longer but works if you do not have online access or prefer to verify the details by voice.

Limits, timing, and what can go wrong

Each transfer type has different limits and timing. Wire transfers have no daily limit but cost money and are irreversible. ACH transfers are free but limited to around $10,000 per transfer and take one to three days. Bill pay is free and unlimited but takes five to ten days. Zelle is when ready and free but limited to $500 to $2,000 per transaction and only works between Zelle-participating banks.

The most common problem is sending money to the wrong account. With wires, this is nearly impossible to fix. With ACH transfers, you can contact Bank of America and ask them to try to recall the money, but the receiving bank is not required to return it. With bill pay, a mailed check can be stopped if you catch the mistake before it is mailed, but after that it is in the mail system.

Another common issue is the recipient's bank rejecting the transfer because the account number or routing number is wrong. Bank of America will usually return the money to your account within a few business days, but this delays the payment. Always double-check account numbers and routing numbers before you send.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money from Bank of America to another bank account I own?

Yes. If both accounts are in your name, use an ACH transfer (free, one to three days) or a wire transfer (faster but costs $15). You need the routing number and account number of the other bank. ACH is usually the better choice because it is free and reversible if something goes wrong.

What is the difference between a routing number and an account number?

A routing number identifies the bank itself — it is the same for all customers of that bank. An account number identifies your specific account at that bank. You need both to send an ACH transfer or wire. You can find both on a check, on your bank's website, or by calling the bank.

How long does a wire transfer actually take?

A domestic wire usually arrives the same day if you send it before the bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. Eastern). If you send it after the cutoff or on a weekend, it will process the next business day. International wires take one to three business days depending on the receiving country and bank.

Can I cancel a transfer after I send it?

ACH transfers and bill pay can usually be cancelled if you catch them before they process — typically by the end of the business day. Wires cannot be cancelled once they leave your account. Call 1-800-432-1000 when ready if you need to stop a transfer.

What if the transfer fails or the money does not arrive?

Contact Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 with the transfer confirmation number. If the receiving bank rejected the transfer, Bank of America will return the money to your account within a few business days. If the money went to the wrong account, Bank of America can try to recall it, but recovery is not may provide.