Bank of America offers three main ways to wire money: online through your account, by phone with a representative, or in person at a branch

The fastest route for most people is the online wire transfer tool in your Bank of America account. You log in, select "Transfer Money," choose "Wire Transfer," enter the recipient's bank details, and confirm. The money typically leaves your account the same day if you send it before the bank's cutoff time, usually 2 p.m. Eastern on weekdays.

If you do not have online access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call Bank of America's wire transfer line at 1-800-869-3557 and a representative will walk you through the details they need. You can also walk into any Bank of America branch with your ID and ask a teller to send a wire. All three methods cost the same: $15 for a domestic wire (within the United States) and $45 for an international wire.

Key Takeaways

  • Domestic wires cost $15 and typically arrive the same day if sent before 2 p.m. Eastern on a weekday; international wires cost $45 and take one to three business days.
  • You will need the recipient's full name, bank account number, and routing number for a domestic wire, or their SWIFT code and IBAN for an international wire.
  • Online wires through your Bank of America account are the fastest method and do not require a phone call or branch visit.
  • If you send a wire after the cutoff time or on a weekend, it will process on the next business day.

What information you need before you start

For a domestic wire, you need the recipient's full name exactly 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. You can find it on a check, ask the recipient directly, or search the Federal Reserve's routing number database online.

For an international wire, the process is more detailed. You need the recipient's full name, their account number, the SWIFT code of their bank (an eight or eleven-character code that identifies banks worldwide), and their IBAN (International Bank Account Number, which varies in length by country). Some countries also require the recipient's address. Ask the person receiving the money to provide all of this information—it is faster than trying to look it up yourself.

Sending a wire online through your Bank of America account

Log into your Bank of America account on the website or mobile app. Select "Transfer Money" from the main menu, then choose "Wire Transfer." The system will ask whether the wire is domestic or international and whether the recipient is a new payee or someone you have wired to before.

If the recipient is new, enter their full name, account number, and routing number (for domestic) or SWIFT code and IBAN (for international). Review the details carefully—wires cannot be reversed once they leave your account. Confirm the amount, check that your account will have enough funds, and submit. Bank of America will show you a confirmation number when ready. Save this number in case you need to track the wire later.

The money will leave your account the same business day if you send it before 2 p.m. Eastern. If you send it after 2 p.m. or on a weekend or holiday, it will process the next business day. International wires typically arrive within one to three business days, depending on the recipient's bank.

Sending a wire by phone or at a branch

Call 1-800-869-3557 to reach Bank of America's wire transfer team. Have the recipient's information ready and your account number. A representative will confirm the details with you, process the wire, and give you a confirmation number. This method takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

To send a wire in person, go to any Bank of America branch with your ID and a form of payment (debit card or account access). Tell the teller you want to send a wire transfer and provide the recipient's information. The teller will fill out the wire form, you will sign it, and the wire will process the same day if you arrive before the branch closes and before the 2 p.m. cutoff.

What happens after you send the wire

The money leaves your Bank of America account when ready after the wire is processed. You cannot cancel or reverse a wire once it has been sent, so if you made a mistake with the recipient's account number or routing number, the money may go to the wrong account or be rejected by the receiving bank.

If the wire is rejected, the receiving bank will send it back to Bank of America, which will credit it back to your account. This return typically takes three to five business days. If the money went to the wrong account because you provided incorrect information, you will need to contact that bank and ask them to return the funds—Bank of America cannot retrieve money sent to the wrong recipient.

The recipient's bank will notify them when the wire arrives. For domestic wires, this is usually the same day or next business day. For international wires, it depends on the receiving country's banking system, but one to three business days is standard.

Fees and limits on wire transfers

Bank of America charges $15 for each domestic wire and $45 for each international wire. These fees are deducted from your account at the time the wire is sent. There is no limit on how much money you can wire in a single transfer, but Bank of America may flag unusually large transfers for fraud review, which can delay processing by a day.

If you send multiple wires in a short period, the bank may contact you to confirm the transfers are legitimate. This is a standard fraud prevention step and does not mean anything is wrong—just answer their questions and the wires will go through.

When a wire transfer might not work

If your Bank of America account is new, frozen, or flagged for fraud, you will not be able to send a wire. The bank may require you to visit a branch in person or call to verify your identity before allowing wire transfers.

If you do not have enough money in your account to cover the wire plus the fee, the transfer will be rejected. Make sure your account balance is higher than the amount you want to send plus $15 (or $45 for international).

If the recipient's bank information is incomplete or incorrect, the wire may be rejected or delayed. Double-check the routing number and account number before you submit—a single wrong digit can send the money to the wrong place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a wire after I send it?

No. Once a wire leaves Bank of America, it cannot be stopped or reversed. If you made a mistake, contact Bank of America when ready with your confirmation number—they may be able to reach the receiving bank and ask them to hold the funds, but this only works if you catch it within a few hours. If the money was sent to the wrong account, you will need to contact that bank directly and ask them to return it.

How long does a wire take to arrive?

Domestic wires typically arrive the same day or next business day. International wires usually take one to three business days. The exact timing depends on the receiving bank's processing speed and whether the wire was sent before the 2 p.m. cutoff on a weekday. Wires sent after 2 p.m. or on weekends process the next business day.

What is the difference between a wire transfer and an ACH transfer?

A wire transfer is faster and more expensive ($15 domestic, $45 international) and cannot be reversed. An ACH transfer is slower (three to five business days) but cheaper or free and can be reversed within a certain window. Bank of America offers both options in the "Transfer Money" menu—choose based on how quickly you need the money to arrive.

Do I need to tell the recipient I am sending a wire?

Yes. Give the recipient a heads-up so they know to expect the money and can watch for it. Provide them with your confirmation number in case their bank asks where the money came from. This also prevents confusion if the wire is delayed or if there is a problem with the account information.

What if the wire is rejected?

If the receiving bank rejects the wire because the account number or routing number is wrong, the money will be returned to your Bank of America account within three to five business days. You will see a credit back to your account and a notification explaining why it was rejected. Contact the recipient to get the correct information and try again.