First Bank does not currently offer Zelle to its customers

If you bank with First Bank and want to send money to another person using their phone number or email address, Zelle is not available through your First Bank account. First Bank has not joined the Zelle network, which means you cannot initiate Zelle transfers from a First Bank checking or savings account.

This matters because Zelle is one of the most common ways people move money between banks without fees. If you have friends or family at other banks who use Zelle, you will need a different method to send them money directly from First Bank.

The situation can be confusing because Zelle is owned by Early Warning Services, a company backed by major U.S. banks. Many people assume all banks offer it. First Bank is not among the participating institutions, though the network continues to add banks over time.

Key Takeaways

  • First Bank does not offer Zelle transfers, so you cannot send money using someone's phone number or email address through your First Bank account.
  • Zelle is available through hundreds of other banks and credit unions, so the person receiving your money may still be able to use Zelle if they bank elsewhere.
  • First Bank customers can move money to other people using wire transfers, ACH transfers through bill pay, or external transfer services like PayPal or Venmo.
  • If you need to send money to someone with a Zelle-enabled bank, you can ask them to initiate the transfer from their bank instead, which works even if your bank is not on the network.

What Zelle actually does and why banks choose to offer it

Zelle is a real-time payment network that lets you send money to another person using only their phone number or email address. The money moves directly from one bank account to another, usually within minutes, and there are no fees charged by Zelle itself.

Banks offer Zelle because it keeps customers from leaving to use third-party apps like Venmo or PayPal. When you can send money directly from your bank account without switching apps, you stay in your bank's ecosystem. For customers, the appeal is speed and the fact that the money goes straight to a bank account rather than sitting in a digital wallet.

Zelle is run by Early Warning Services, which is owned by a consortium of large banks including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, and others. However, ownership by those banks does not mean every bank in the country participates. Banks choose whether to join, and First Bank has not.

Other ways First Bank customers can send money to individuals

First Bank offers bill pay, which lets you send money to another person by setting them up as a payee. You enter their name and mailing address, and First Bank mails them a check. This is free but takes five to seven business days, making it too slow for most peer-to-peer situations.

You can also initiate an ACH transfer (Automated Clearing House) if you know the other person's bank account number and routing number. ACH transfers are free and take one to two business days. This works well if you are sending money to someone you know well and have their banking details.

Wire transfers are another option. First Bank can send a domestic wire transfer, which arrives the same day or next business day. Wire transfers typically cost $15 to $25 and require you to provide the recipient's full banking information. They are more expensive than ACH but faster and more reliable for larger amounts or time-sensitive situations.

Outside of First Bank's own services, you can use third-party apps like Venmo, PayPal, Square Cash, or Google Pay. These apps let you link your First Bank account and send money using a phone number or username. The money may take one to three business days to reach the recipient's bank account, depending on the app and the receiving bank.

When the other person has Zelle at their bank

If the person you want to send money to banks at an institution that offers Zelle—such as Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, or most credit unions—they can initiate the transfer from their side instead. Zelle works both directions: the sender does not have to be at a Zelle bank for the receiver to send them money.

This is a practical workaround. You can ask the other person to request the money from you through their Zelle app, or you can give them your phone number or email address and ask them to send you money, which you can then return through another method if needed. It is not ideal, but it solves the problem when you need to move money quickly.

The limitation is that this only works if the other person has Zelle. If both of you are at banks without Zelle, you will need to use one of the other methods listed above.

How to check if a bank offers Zelle

You can visit the official Zelle website and use their bank search tool to see whether a specific bank or credit union participates. The search is straightforward: enter the name of the bank, and the site will tell you whether Zelle is available.

You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask directly. First Bank's customer service can confirm that Zelle is not available and can walk you through the alternative methods for sending money.

If you are considering switching banks partly because you want Zelle access, the search tool will help you identify which banks in your area offer it. Many regional and national banks do, so you have options if peer-to-peer speed is important to you.

Why some banks still do not offer Zelle

Banks choose not to offer Zelle for different reasons. Some smaller banks and credit unions have decided to invest in their own payment networks or partner with competing services instead. Others may have technical or operational constraints that make integration difficult.

First Bank has not publicly stated why it does not offer Zelle. The decision may reflect the bank's size, its technology infrastructure, or a strategic choice to focus resources elsewhere. What matters for you is that the decision is unlikely to change quickly—banks do not typically add Zelle overnight.

This does not mean First Bank is behind the times in other ways. The bank may offer other digital payment features or have different strengths. But for Zelle specifically, you will need to use an alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive money through Zelle if I bank with First Bank?

No. Because First Bank does not participate in the Zelle network, you cannot receive Zelle transfers at a First Bank account. If someone tries to send you money through Zelle using your phone number or email, the transfer will fail. You would need to provide them with an alternative method, such as your bank account details for an ACH transfer or a third-party app you both use.

If I move my money to a different bank, will I be able to use Zelle?

Possibly, but not all banks offer Zelle. Before switching banks, check the Zelle website or call the bank to confirm Zelle is available. Most large national banks and many credit unions do offer it, but some regional banks do not. Make sure Zelle is actually available at your new bank before you open an account based on that assumption.

Is there a fee to use Zelle at banks that offer it?

Zelle itself does not charge a fee. However, some banks may charge a fee for using Zelle, though most do not. If you switch to a bank that offers Zelle, ask whether there is a fee before you start using it. The fee, if any, would be charged by the bank, not by Zelle.

What is the fastest way to send money from First Bank right now?

A domestic wire transfer is the fastest option, arriving the same day or next business day. It costs $15 to $25 and requires the recipient's full banking information. If you want free and nearly as fast, use a third-party app like Venmo or PayPal linked to your First Bank account, which typically takes one to three business days.

Can I use Venmo or PayPal instead of Zelle?

Yes. Both apps let you link your First Bank account and send money using a phone number or username. The main difference is that Venmo and PayPal keep the money in a digital wallet temporarily before it moves to a bank account, whereas Zelle sends it directly to a bank account. For most people, the difference does not matter, and Venmo or PayPal work just as well.