Wire transfers at Bank of America move money out of your account the same day, but you need the recipient's bank details and cannot cancel once it leaves

A wire transfer is a direct electronic movement of money from your Bank of America account to another bank account, anywhere in the United States or abroad. The money leaves your account within hours and arrives at the receiving bank the same day (for domestic transfers) or within one to three business days (for international transfers). Once the wire is sent, you cannot reverse it — the recipient's bank has the money, and only they can return it.

Bank of America offers wire transfers through online banking, the mobile app, at a branch, or by phone. Each method works the same way: you provide the recipient's name, their bank account number, their bank's routing number (for domestic) or SWIFT code (for international), and the amount. Bank of America charges a fee — currently $15 for domestic wires and $45 for international wires, though these amounts can change.

Wire transfers are useful when you need money to move fast and the recipient needs it in their actual bank account, not a payment app. They are also the standard way to send money overseas, pay a down payment on a house, or settle a large transaction where a check would be too slow.

Key Takeaways

  • Domestic wire transfers leave your Bank of America account the same day and arrive at the receiving bank within hours; international wires take one to three business days.
  • You need the recipient's full name, account number, and their bank's routing number (domestic) or SWIFT code (international) before you start.
  • Bank of America charges $15 for domestic wires and $45 for international wires, deducted from your account at the time you send.
  • Once a wire transfer is sent, it cannot be stopped or reversed — confirm all details before you submit.
  • You can send a wire through online banking, the mobile app, at a branch, or by phone; online and the app are fastest.

Sending a domestic wire transfer online or through the mobile app

Log into your Bank of America online banking account or open the mobile app and navigate to the Transfers section. Select "Wire Transfer" or "Send Money," then choose "Domestic Wire" if the option appears. Enter 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 specific to each bank; you can find it on a check, ask the recipient, or search the Federal Reserve's routing number database online.

Enter the amount you want to send and a description of the transfer (for example, "rent payment" or "invoice 2024-001"). Review all details carefully — the recipient's name and account number especially — because you cannot change them after submission. Confirm the wire, and Bank of America will deduct the amount plus the $15 fee from your account. You will receive a confirmation number when ready; save this for your records.

Domestic wires sent before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day typically arrive at the receiving bank the same day. Wires sent after 2 p.m. or on weekends and holidays are processed the next business day.

Sending an international wire transfer

International wires require more information because the money crosses banking systems in different countries. Log into online banking or the app, select "Wire Transfer," and choose "International Wire." You will need the recipient's full name, their account number, and their bank's SWIFT code (an eight or eleven-character code that identifies banks internationally). Some banks also require an IBAN (International Bank Account Number), which is a longer account identifier used in Europe and some other regions.

Enter the country where the recipient's bank is located, the amount in U.S. dollars, and the purpose of the transfer. Bank of America will show you the exchange rate (if applicable) and the $45 wire fee. The recipient will receive the money in their local currency at the exchange rate Bank of America used on the day the wire was sent. International wires typically arrive within one to three business days, though some countries take longer.

Before you send, confirm with the recipient that you have the correct SWIFT code and account number — international wires are harder to reverse than domestic ones, and a wrong account number means the money may be sent to the wrong bank or lost in the system.

Sending a wire transfer at a Bank of America branch

Walk into any Bank of America branch with your account information and the recipient's details. Tell a teller you want to send a wire transfer. They will ask for the recipient's full name, account number, and routing number (domestic) or SWIFT code (international), plus the amount. The teller will enter this into the system, show you a confirmation screen, and ask you to verify the details before processing.

The teller will deduct the wire amount plus the fee from your account and give you a receipt with a confirmation number. This method is slower than online or the app — you have to travel to a branch and wait — but it can be useful if you are unsure about the recipient's information and want to ask questions in person, or if you do not have online banking set up.

Sending a wire transfer by phone

Call Bank of America's customer service number on the back of your debit or credit card. Tell the representative you want to send a wire transfer. They will verify your identity by asking for your account number, Social Security number, or other security information. Once verified, provide the recipient's full name, account number, routing number (domestic) or SWIFT code (international), and the amount.

The representative will repeat the details back to you and ask you to confirm before processing. They will deduct the wire amount and fee from your account and give you a confirmation number over the phone. Write this number down when ready. Phone wires are useful if you cannot access online banking or the app, but they are slower than self-service methods because you have to wait for a representative.

What happens after you send a wire transfer

Once Bank of America processes your wire, the money leaves your account and is sent to the receiving bank's system. For domestic wires, the receiving bank typically receives and deposits the money into the recipient's account the same day (if sent before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day). The recipient will see the deposit in their account within hours, though some banks take until the next business day to post it.

For international wires, the money travels through the SWIFT network and may pass through one or more intermediary banks before reaching the recipient's bank. This process takes one to three business days. The recipient's bank will convert the U.S. dollars to their local currency using their own exchange rate, which may differ slightly from the rate Bank of America showed you.

If the recipient does not see the money after the expected time, ask them to check their bank account and contact their bank's customer service. Provide them with the confirmation number Bank of America gave you. If the money was sent to the wrong account, the receiving bank may be able to recall it, but this is not may provide and can take weeks.

Fees, limits, and things that can go wrong

Bank of America charges $15 for each domestic wire and $45 for each international wire. These fees are deducted from your account when you send the wire. Some Bank of America accounts (such as certain premium checking accounts) may have lower fees or a limited number of free wires per month — check your account details or call customer service to confirm.

Bank of America does not publish a daily limit for wire transfers, but your account may have limits based on your account type, history, and balance. If you try to send a wire larger than your limit, the system will reject it. Call customer service to ask about your specific limit or to request a temporary increase.

Common mistakes include entering the wrong account number (the money goes to the wrong person), misspelling the recipient's name (some banks will reject the wire), or using an outdated or incorrect routing number or SWIFT code (the wire gets delayed or sent to the wrong bank). Always confirm the recipient's details with them directly before you send, especially for large amounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a wire transfer after I send it?

Not reliably. Once Bank of America sends a domestic wire, it is in the receiving bank's system within hours and cannot be recalled. For international wires, you have a slightly longer window (a few hours) to contact Bank of America and ask them to attempt a recall, but the receiving bank is not required to comply. The only way to get the money back is if the recipient agrees to return it.

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

A wire transfer moves money the same day (domestic) and costs $15 to $45. An ACH transfer takes three to five business days and is usually free. Use a wire when you need money to move fast; use ACH for routine payments like bills or payroll where speed does not matter.

Do I need the recipient's name to match their account exactly?

Yes, as closely as possible. If you send money to "John Smith" but the account is under "Jonathan Smith," some banks will reject the wire or delay it. Ask the recipient how their name appears on their account and enter it exactly that way.

What if I send a wire to the wrong bank by mistake?

Contact Bank of America when ready with your confirmation number. They can attempt to recall the wire, but once the receiving bank has processed it, recall is difficult. The receiving bank may be able to reverse the transaction if you contact them quickly, but this is not may provide.

How do I know if the wire arrived?

Ask the recipient to check their bank account. For domestic wires, the money should appear within hours of sending. For international wires, allow one to three business days. If the recipient does not see it after that time, ask them to contact their bank with your confirmation number.