Bank of America offers three main ways to send money: wire transfer, Zelle, and bill pay
A wire transfer moves money directly from your Bank of America account to another bank account, usually within one business day. Zelle is faster—often within minutes—but only works between people who both have accounts at participating banks. Bill pay lets you send money to a person or business by mailing a check from your account, which takes longer but costs nothing.
The method you choose depends on who you're sending to, how fast you need it to arrive, and whether you want to pay a fee. Wire transfers cost money and require specific account details. Zelle is free but limited to people and smaller amounts. Bill pay is free but slowest.
Key Takeaways
- Wire transfers require the recipient's bank name, account number, and routing number, and typically arrive within one business day for a fee of $15 to $30.
- Zelle transfers are free and arrive within minutes, but both sender and receiver must have accounts at banks that support Zelle, and there are daily and monthly limits.
- Bill pay sends money by check and takes 5 to 10 business days but costs nothing and works to any address in the United States.
- You can start any transfer through the Bank of America mobile app, online banking, or by visiting a branch in person.
How to send a wire transfer through Bank of America
Log into your Bank of America account online or through the mobile app and look for "Wire Transfer" or "Send Money" in the menu. Select the account you want to send from, then enter the recipient's bank name, routing number, account number, and account holder name. Bank of America will ask you to confirm all details before processing.
Wire transfers from Bank of America cost $15 for domestic transfers (within the United States) and $45 for international transfers. The money usually arrives the next business day for domestic wires. If you send the wire before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on a weekday, it typically processes the same day; after that, it processes the next business day.
You can also send a wire in person at any Bank of America branch. Bring a photo ID and the recipient's banking information. Some branches may charge a small fee for in-person service, though the base wire fee remains the same.
Using Zelle for faster, free transfers
Zelle is a payment network that Bank of America customers can use to send money to other people at no cost. The recipient must have an account at a bank that participates in Zelle—most major banks do, but not all. You can check whether a bank supports Zelle on the Zelle website.
To send money through Zelle, open your Bank of America app or online banking and find the Zelle option. Enter the recipient's email address or phone number (the one linked to their bank account), the amount, and a note if you want. The recipient gets a notification and the money usually arrives within minutes, though it can take up to one business day.
Bank of America sets daily and monthly limits on Zelle transfers. As of now, the limit is typically $2,000 per transaction and $20,000 per month, though these limits can vary. Contact Bank of America to confirm your specific limits, as they may differ based on your account type and history.
Sending money by bill pay
Bill pay lets you send money to almost anyone in the United States by having Bank of America mail a check from your account. This is free and works even if the recipient doesn't have a bank account. The trade-off is speed: checks typically arrive 5 to 10 business days after you send them.
To use bill pay, log into your Bank of America account and select "Bill Pay" or "Send Money." Enter the recipient's name and mailing address, the amount, and the date you want the check mailed. You can schedule payments in advance or send them when ready. Bank of America will deduct the money from your account right away, even though the check takes time to arrive.
Bill pay works for paying people, businesses, utilities, or anyone with a mailing address. There are no limits on how much you can send, and you won't pay any fees. If a check gets lost or the recipient never cashes it, you can contact Bank of America to stop payment and resend the money.
What information you need for each method
| Transfer Method | Information Needed | Cost | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wire Transfer | Recipient's bank name, routing number, account number, account holder name | $15 domestic, $45 international | 1 business day |
| Zelle | Recipient's email or phone number linked to their bank account | Free | Minutes to 1 business day |
| Bill Pay | Recipient's name and mailing address | Free | 5 to 10 business days |
Limits and fees you should know about
Wire transfers have no set limit through Bank of America, but the bank may flag unusually large transfers for review. If you're sending more than $10,000, the bank is required by federal law to file a report—this is routine and does not mean anything is wrong. International wires may take longer and have additional requirements, such as the recipient's SWIFT code or IBAN.
Zelle has daily and monthly limits set by Bank of America, typically $2,000 per transaction and $20,000 per month. These limits exist to reduce fraud risk. If you need to send more, you'll need to use a wire transfer or bill pay instead. Some accounts have higher limits; contact Bank of America to ask about yours.
Bill pay has no stated limit, but Bank of America may review very large checks. There are no fees for bill pay, and you can send as many checks as you want in a month. The only cost is the time it takes for the check to arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a wire transfer after I send it?
It depends on timing. If you cancel before the wire leaves Bank of America—usually within a few hours of sending—the bank can stop it. Once the wire reaches the recipient's bank, it cannot be reversed without the recipient's cooperation. Contact Bank of America when ready if you need to cancel; the sooner you call, the better your chances.
What happens if I enter the wrong account number for a wire transfer?
The wire may go to the wrong account or be rejected by the receiving bank. Bank of America asks you to confirm all details before processing, so double-check the routing number and account number. If the wire goes to the wrong place, contact Bank of America right away—they can sometimes recover the money, but it is not may provide.
Why did my Zelle transfer fail?
The most common reasons are that the recipient's bank does not support Zelle, the email or phone number does not match their bank account, or you have hit your daily or monthly limit. Ask the recipient to confirm their email or phone number is correct in their bank's system. If their bank does not support Zelle, use a wire transfer or bill pay instead.
Is there a limit on how much I can send by bill pay?
Bank of America does not publish a hard limit for bill pay, but very large checks may be reviewed before mailing. For most people, bill pay works for any amount. If you are sending a large check and it does not go through, contact Bank of America to ask about limits on your account.
Can I send money internationally through Bank of America?
Yes, but only by wire transfer. International wires cost $45 and may take 2 to 5 business days depending on the destination country and the receiving bank. You will need the recipient's SWIFT code or IBAN in addition to their account number. Zelle and bill pay only work within the United States.