What happens when you wire money at Bank of America

When you wire money through Bank of America, you are sending funds directly from your account to another account at any bank in the United States or abroad. The money leaves your account the same day you initiate the wire, and it arrives at the receiving bank within one to two business days for domestic transfers, or three to five business days for international ones. Bank of America charges a fee for this service — currently $15 for domestic wires and $45 for international wires, though these amounts can change.

The wire process is permanent. Once the money leaves your account, you cannot cancel it unless the receiving bank has not yet processed it, which is rare. This is why banks ask you to verify the recipient's account number and routing number before sending — a typo means your money goes to the wrong place, and recovering it is difficult and slow.

You have three ways to send a wire through Bank of America: in person at a branch, by phone, or through your online account. Each route takes a different amount of time and requires different information from you.

Key Takeaways

  • Domestic wires cost $15 and arrive within one to two business days; international wires cost $45 and take three to five business days.
  • You need the recipient's full name, account number, and routing number (or SWIFT code for international transfers) before you start.
  • Wires sent before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day usually leave your account the same day; after 2 p.m., they process the next business day.
  • Once a wire is sent, you cannot cancel it unless the receiving bank has not yet credited the account, which is uncommon.
  • Bank of America's online wire tool is the fastest route if you have the recipient's information ready; phone and branch visits take longer because a person must enter the details.

Wiring money through your Bank of America online account

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

If the recipient is new, enter their full legal name, account number, and routing number (for domestic) or SWIFT code and bank address (for international). Bank of America will show you a confirmation screen with all the details. Read it carefully — this is your final note to catch a typo. Once you confirm, the wire is submitted when ready if it is before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on a weekday; otherwise it queues for the next business day.

You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Save both. If something goes wrong, you will need the confirmation number to contact Bank of America and trace the wire.

Wiring money by phone or at a branch

Call Bank of America's wire transfer line at 1-800-869-3557 to send a wire by phone. A representative will ask you to verify your identity, confirm the account you are sending from, and provide the recipient's information. The call typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. You will receive a confirmation number at the end.

At a branch, bring a photo ID and the recipient's information. A teller will enter the wire details into the system while you watch. This route is slower than online or phone — you have to travel to the branch and wait for an available teller — but it is useful if you are unsure about the recipient's details and want to ask questions before sending.

Both phone and branch wires submitted before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day leave your account the same day. After 2 p.m. or on weekends and holidays, they process the next business day.

Information you need before you start

For a domestic wire, you need the recipient's full name exactly as it appears on their 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 from that bank, or ask the recipient directly.

For an international wire, you need the recipient's full name, their account number, the bank's SWIFT code (an eight or eleven-character code that identifies banks worldwide), and the bank's address. Some countries also require an IBAN (International Bank Account Number) instead of or in addition to the account number. Ask the recipient for all of this information before you initiate the wire.

Do not guess at account numbers or routing numbers. A single digit wrong sends your money to the wrong account, and you will have to contact that bank to ask them to return it — a process that can take weeks or fail entirely if the account holder refuses.

Timing and cutoff times

Bank of America processes domestic wires submitted before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on business days the same day. The receiving bank usually credits the account by the next business day, though some smaller banks take longer. Wires submitted after 2 p.m. or on weekends, holidays, or non-business days process the next business day.

International wires have a longer timeline. Bank of America sends them the same day if submitted before 2 p.m. Eastern Time, but they pass through multiple banks and currency exchanges before reaching the recipient. Most arrive within three to five business days, but some take longer depending on the destination country and the receiving bank's processing speed.

If you need the money to arrive by a specific date, send it at least one business day earlier than that date for domestic transfers, or at least five business days earlier for international ones. This gives you a buffer if the receiving bank is slow or if a holiday falls in between.

Fees and what they cover

Bank of America charges $15 for each domestic wire and $45 for each international wire. These fees are deducted from your account when the wire is processed, not when you initiate it. Some Bank of America account types, such as certain premium checking accounts, may waive wire fees — check your account agreement or call the bank to confirm.

The fee covers Bank of America's processing and transmission of the wire. It does not cover fees that the receiving bank may charge. Some banks charge their own fee to receive a wire, which they deduct from the amount the recipient gets. Ask the recipient whether their bank charges a receiving fee before you send, so they know how much will actually arrive.

What to do if something goes wrong

If you realize you made a mistake when ready after sending a wire — within minutes — call Bank of America at 1-800-869-3557 and provide your confirmation number. If the wire has not yet been processed by the receiving bank, Bank of America may be able to stop it. This is rare, because wires process quickly, but it is worth trying.

If the wire has already been processed and sent to the wrong account, you will need to contact the receiving bank directly and ask them to return the funds. Provide them with the wire confirmation number, the amount, and the date sent. The receiving bank is not required to return the money, especially if the account holder has already spent it. This is why verification before sending is critical.

If the wire was sent to the correct account but the recipient says they did not receive it, ask them to check with their bank. The wire may be pending, or it may have arrived under a slightly different name or reference number. If the receiving bank confirms they never got it, contact Bank of America with your confirmation number and ask them to trace the wire. This process can take several weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a wire after I send it?

Only if you contact Bank of America when ready and the receiving bank has not yet processed it. This is uncommon because wires move quickly. Call 1-800-869-3557 right away with your confirmation number. If the receiving bank has already credited the account, the wire cannot be cancelled, and you will have to ask the receiving bank to return the funds.

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

A wire is faster and more expensive. It leaves your account the same day and arrives within one to two business days for domestic transfers. An ACH transfer is slower and cheaper — it takes three to five business days and costs nothing or a small fee. Use a wire when you need money to arrive quickly; use ACH for routine payments where timing is flexible.

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

Yes. Give them the wire confirmation number and the amount so they can watch for it to arrive. If they do not see it within the expected timeframe, they can contact their bank with the confirmation number to trace it. This also prevents confusion if they are expecting money from multiple sources.

What happens if I wire money to the wrong account number?

The money goes to that account at the receiving bank. You will have to contact that bank and ask them to return it, but they are not required to do so. This is why you must verify the account number with the recipient before sending. If the money goes to an active account at the same bank, recovery is more likely than if it goes to a closed or dormant account.

Are there limits on how much I can wire?

Bank of America does not publish a single wire limit that applies to all customers. Limits depend on your account type, your history with the bank, and whether the wire is domestic or international. Call 1-800-869-3557 or log into your account to see your limit, or ask a teller at a branch.