Wire transfer timing at Bank of America

A domestic wire transfer from Bank of America typically arrives the same business day if you send it before the cutoff time, which is usually 2 p.m. Eastern Time on weekdays. If you send after 2 p.m. or on a weekend or holiday, the transfer moves to the next business day. The receiving bank then processes it on their end, which usually takes a few hours but can occasionally take until the next business day depending on their systems.

International wire transfers take longer. Bank of America sends them the same business day if submitted before cutoff, but they travel through correspondent banks in other countries, which adds 1 to 4 business days depending on the destination country and the receiving bank's processing speed. Some countries with fewer banking connections can take up to a week.

The time shown in your Bank of America account as "sent" or "pending" is not the same as arrival time. Your bank has sent the instruction, but the money has not yet landed in the recipient's account. You cannot see real-time confirmation that the receiving bank has accepted it.

Key Takeaways

  • Domestic wires sent before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day usually arrive the same day, but the receiving bank may take a few additional hours to post the funds.
  • Wires sent after 2 p.m., on weekends, or on federal holidays move to the next business day at Bank of America.
  • International wires take 1 to 4 business days after Bank of America sends them, depending on the destination country and intermediary banks involved.
  • Bank of America's cutoff times vary slightly by account type and whether you are sending through online banking, mobile app, or in person at a branch.

Domestic wire transfer timeline and cutoff times

When you initiate a domestic wire through Bank of America online, on the mobile app, or at a branch, the bank processes it in batches throughout the business day. The 2 p.m. Eastern Time cutoff applies to most online and mobile submissions. Wires submitted in person at a branch may have a slightly different cutoff depending on the branch's local time zone and closing time.

After Bank of America sends your wire, it enters the Federal Reserve's wire system (Fedwire for most domestic transfers). The receiving bank pulls the transfer from Fedwire and posts it to the recipient's account. This posting step usually happens within a few hours, but some banks batch their postings and may not show the funds until the next morning, even though the wire arrived the previous afternoon.

If you send a wire on Friday at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, it typically arrives at the receiving bank the same day. If you send it at 3 p.m. Friday, it does not go out until Monday, and the recipient may not see it until Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning depending on their bank's processing schedule.

International wire transfer timeline and routing

Bank of America sends international wires the same business day if you submit before cutoff, but the transfer then moves through a chain of correspondent banks. A wire to the United Kingdom might go from Bank of America to a correspondent bank in New York, then to a correspondent bank in London, then to the recipient's bank. Each step takes a few hours to a full business day.

The destination country matters significantly. Wires to major financial centers like Canada, the United Kingdom, and Western Europe typically take 1 to 2 business days after Bank of America sends them. Wires to countries with less developed banking infrastructure or fewer direct connections can take 3 to 4 business days or longer. Bank of America cannot control the speed of correspondent banks or the receiving bank's processing time.

You will need the recipient's SWIFT code (also called BIC code) and their International Bank Account Number (IBAN) or account number, depending on the country. Bank of America provides a lookup tool on their website to find SWIFT codes, but you can also ask the recipient's bank directly.

What affects wire transfer speed at Bank of America

The most common delay is submitting a wire after the cutoff time. Many people assume a wire sent at 5 p.m. will go out that day, but it will not. The second most common delay is sending on a day Bank of America considers a holiday — this includes federal holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but also some banking-specific holidays that may not be obvious.

Incomplete or incorrect information also stops a wire. If the recipient's account number does not match their name in the receiving bank's system, or if you provide a SWIFT code for the wrong branch, the receiving bank may reject the wire and send it back. This rejection and re-sending can add 1 to 3 business days.

Bank of America's fraud detection system can also hold a wire for review, especially if the amount is large, the recipient is new, or the destination is a country flagged for higher risk. This review usually takes a few hours but can take up to a business day. The bank will contact you if this happens, but you may not know it is happening until you follow up.

How to check the status of your wire transfer

Log into your Bank of America account online or on the mobile app and look for the transaction in your recent activity. The status will show as "sent," "pending," or "delivered." "Sent" means Bank of America has released it into the wire system. "Pending" usually means the same thing — the terminology varies by account type. "Delivered" means the receiving bank has confirmed receipt, though this does not always mean the funds are visible to the recipient yet.

If your wire shows as sent or pending but the recipient has not received it after the expected time, call Bank of America's wire transfer support line. Have your confirmation number, the recipient's bank name, and the recipient's account number ready. Bank of America can check whether the receiving bank has accepted the wire and, if not, where it is stuck.

If a wire is rejected, Bank of America will typically return the funds to your account within 1 to 3 business days. You will see a credit in your account with a reference to the original wire. You can then resend with corrected information.

Differences between wire transfers and other Bank of America transfer methods

Bank of America also offers ACH transfers, which are slower but cheaper. An ACH transfer typically takes 1 to 3 business days and costs nothing or a small fee. A wire transfer costs $15 to $20 for domestic transfers and $45 to $50 for international transfers, depending on your account type. Wire transfers are faster because they move through a different system (Fedwire or SWIFT) rather than the ACH network.

Zelle, Bank of America's peer-to-peer transfer service, is when ready for transfers between enrolled Bank of America customers and many other banks, but it has a daily limit (usually $2,000 to $5,000 depending on your account) and only works between individuals, not to business accounts. If you need to send money to a business or send more than the Zelle limit, a wire transfer is necessary.

Same-day ACH is available for some transfers and arrives the same business day, but it is not available for all receiving banks and has lower limits than wire transfers. Check with Bank of America about whether your recipient's bank supports same-day ACH before choosing it over a wire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a wire transfer after I send it?

If you cancel before Bank of America releases the wire into the system, the transfer will not go out and the funds stay in your account. Once the wire has been sent (usually within minutes of submission), you cannot cancel it. You would need to contact the receiving bank and ask them to return the funds, which they may or may not do. Call Bank of America when ready if you need to cancel.

Why does my wire show as sent but the recipient still hasn't received it?

The receiving bank may be processing it in batches and has not posted it to the recipient's account yet, even though they have received it from the wire system. This is normal and usually resolves within a few hours. If more than a business day has passed, ask the recipient to contact their bank to confirm the wire arrived on their end.

Do I need to do anything special to send a wire to a different country?

You need the recipient's SWIFT code and either their IBAN or account number, depending on the country. Bank of America's website has a SWIFT code lookup tool. Some countries also require additional information like the recipient's address or a reference code. Bank of America will tell you what is required when you start the wire.

What happens if I send a wire on a weekend?

Bank of America does not process wires on weekends or federal holidays. Your wire will be queued and sent on the next business day. If you send it Sunday evening, it goes out Monday morning and typically arrives Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning depending on the receiving bank.

Is there a limit to how much I can wire from Bank of America?

Daily and monthly wire limits vary by account type and your account history. New accounts typically have lower limits. Check your account settings or call Bank of America to find out your current limit. You can request a higher limit, and Bank of America will review your account and may approve an increase.