The fastest way depends on which banks you use and how soon you need the money there

Moving money between banks usually takes one to three business days, though some methods are faster. The speed depends on whether both banks are connected to the same system, whether you're moving money within the same day or can wait, and how much you're moving. Most people use either a wire transfer (fastest but costs money), an ACH transfer (slower but free), or straightforward logging into their new bank and pulling the money over themselves.

The simplest route for most people is to log into your new bank's website or app, find the option to link an outside account, and let the bank pull the money for you. This works because banks are set up to do this automatically. If that doesn't work or you need the money faster, you have other options — but each one has a different cost and timeline.

Key Takeaways

  • ACH transfers are free and take one to three business days, and most banks let you start one from your new bank's website without calling anyone.
  • Wire transfers move money the same day but cost between $15 and $30, and you usually need to call your bank or go in person to set one up.
  • Linking your accounts at your new bank is often the easiest method — the bank handles the connection and pulls the money automatically.
  • Business days don't include weekends or federal holidays, so a transfer you start on Friday won't arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday.
  • You'll need your routing number and account number from the bank you're sending money from, which you can find on a check or by logging in.

ACH transfers: the free option that takes a few days

An ACH transfer is the most common way to move money between banks. ACH stands for Automated Clearing House — it's a system that connects most banks in the United States. The transfer is free, but it takes one to three business days because the banks process these transfers in batches overnight.

To start an ACH transfer, log into your new bank's website or app and look for a button that says "Link Account," "Add External Account," or "Transfer Money." The bank will ask you for the routing number and account number of the bank you're sending money from. You can find both on a check, or by logging into your old bank and looking at your account details. Once you enter those numbers, the bank usually sends two small deposits (a few cents each) to your old account to verify you own it. You'll see those deposits in your old bank account within a day or two, and then you enter the amounts to confirm the link. After that, you can transfer money whenever you want.

If you prefer not to link accounts, you can also start a transfer from your old bank. Log in, find "Send Money" or "Transfer," and enter your new bank's routing number and your account number there. This takes the same amount of time but requires you to do the work from the sending side instead of the receiving side.

Wire transfers: same-day money that costs money

A wire transfer moves money the same business day, usually within a few hours. The catch is that it costs money — typically between $15 and $30 per transfer, depending on your bank. Wire transfers are useful when you need money urgently, like if you're closing on a house or need to cover an unexpected bill before your next paycheck.

To send a wire transfer, you usually have to call your bank or go into a branch in person. The bank will ask for the routing number and account number of the bank receiving the money, and they'll confirm the amount and the recipient's name. Some banks let you set up wire transfers online, but most still require a phone call or in-person visit for security reasons — banks want to make sure it's really you sending the money, since wire transfers can't be reversed once they're sent.

Wire transfers are final. Once the money leaves your account, you can't get it back if you made a mistake or changed your mind. For this reason, always double-check the routing number and account number before you confirm the transfer. If you send money to the wrong account, you'll have to contact the receiving bank and ask them to return it, and there's no may provide they will.

Linking accounts at your new bank: the easiest method

Most banks now let you link an outside account directly through their website or app, and then transfer money back and forth whenever you want. This is often the easiest method because you only have to do the setup once, and after that you can move money with a few clicks.

The process is straightforward: log into your new bank, find the option to link an external account, and enter the routing number and account number from your old bank. The bank will send two small test deposits to your old account (usually within a day). Once those deposits show up, you log back in and confirm the amounts. After that, the link is permanent, and you can transfer money between the accounts whenever you want — usually for free, using ACH transfers.

Some banks limit how much you can transfer per day or per month when you first link an account, but these limits usually increase after a few weeks. If you need to move a large amount of money, check your bank's transfer limits before you start, or call and ask if they can raise the limit temporarily.

What happens on weekends and holidays

Banks process transfers on business days only — Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. If you start a transfer on Friday afternoon, it won't actually process until Monday, and it won't arrive at the other bank until Tuesday or Wednesday. If you start one on a holiday, it won't process until the next business day.

This matters most for ACH transfers, which take one to three business days anyway. A transfer that takes "two business days" might actually take four or five calendar days if it crosses a weekend. Wire transfers also follow this rule — if you send a wire on Friday, it goes out the same day, but if you send one on Saturday, it won't go out until Monday.

Finding your routing number and account number

You'll need both pieces of information to transfer money. Your account number is unique to you and identifies which account at the bank is yours. Your routing number identifies the bank itself — all branches of the same bank share the same routing number.

The easiest place to find both is on a check. The routing number is the first set of numbers on the bottom left, and the account number is the second set. You can also find both by logging into your bank's website or app — usually under "Account Details" or "Account Information." If you can't find them online, call your bank's customer service number (on the back of your debit card) and ask. They'll give you both numbers over the phone.

Make sure you have the right routing number for the branch you use. Some large banks have different routing numbers for different regions, so if you're moving money to a branch in a different state, double-check that you're using the correct one. Your bank's website usually has a tool to look up the routing number by branch location.

Transferring large amounts of money

If you're moving a large sum — say, more than $10,000 — your bank may ask questions about where the money came from. This is normal and required by federal law. Banks have to report large transfers and ask customers to confirm the source of the funds. This doesn't mean anything is wrong; it's just a standard check.

Large transfers may also trigger temporary holds on the money while the bank verifies the transaction. This is more common with wire transfers than with ACH transfers. If your bank puts a hold on the money, ask how long it will last — it's usually a few business days. You can also ask your bank in advance if they have limits on how much you can transfer in a single day, and whether they can raise those limits for a planned large transfer.

What to do if the transfer doesn't arrive

ACH transfers usually arrive within one to three business days. If it's been longer than that, log into both your old and new bank accounts and check the transaction history. Look for the transfer in your old bank (it should show as "sent" or "pending") and check whether it appears in your new bank yet.

If the transfer shows as sent from your old bank but hasn't arrived at your new bank after three business days, contact your new bank's customer service. Give them the date you sent it, the amount, and the routing number of the sending bank. They can trace the transfer and find out where it is. If it's truly lost, the banks can work together to recover it or resend it.

If you sent a wire transfer and it hasn't arrived the same day, call your bank when ready. Wire transfers should arrive within hours, and if it hasn't shown up by the end of the business day, something went wrong. Your bank can check the status and either resend it or investigate what happened.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money between banks on a weekend?

You can start the transfer on a weekend through your bank's website or app, but it won't actually process until the next business day (Monday). Wire transfers sent on weekends won't go out until Monday either. ACH transfers started on a weekend will be processed Monday and arrive by Wednesday at the earliest.

What's the difference between a routing number and an account number?

The routing number identifies the bank itself — all customers at the same bank branch share the same routing number. The account number is unique to you and identifies which specific account at that bank is yours. You need both to transfer money.

Do I have to pay for every transfer between banks?

ACH transfers are free. Wire transfers cost money, usually $15 to $30. Once you link an account at your new bank, transfers between linked accounts are almost always free. Some banks charge for transfers if you exceed a certain number per month, but most allow several free transfers.

What if I made a mistake and sent money to the wrong account?

For ACH transfers, contact your bank when ready and ask them to recall the transfer — they can sometimes stop it if it hasn't processed yet. For wire transfers, call your bank right away, but know that wire transfers usually can't be reversed once they're sent. You'll have to contact the receiving bank and ask them to return the money.

How long does it take to link a new account before I can transfer money?

Once you enter the account information, your bank sends two small test deposits to the old account, which usually arrive within one business day. You then confirm those amounts, which takes a few minutes. After that, you can transfer money when ready, though the actual transfer still takes one to three business days to arrive.