Wire money from Bank of America through online banking, mobile app, or by visiting a branch
Bank of America lets you send wire transfers in three ways: through your online banking portal, through the mobile app, or by walking into a branch and asking a teller. Online and mobile are fastest — you can initiate a wire in minutes and it usually leaves your account the same business day if sent before the cutoff time (typically 2 p.m. Eastern). Wires sent after that window or on weekends process the next business day. You will need the recipient's bank name, routing number, account number, and full name. For international wires, you may also need a SWIFT code or IBAN.
The cost varies by wire type. Domestic wires (money staying within the United States) cost $15 to $30 depending on whether you are a standard customer or a premium account holder. International wires cost more — typically $45 to $50 — because they move through multiple banks and currency exchanges. Some Bank of America accounts waive wire fees; check your account terms or call 1-800-869-3557 to confirm what you pay.
Key Takeaways
- Domestic wires from Bank of America cost $15 to $30 and usually leave the same business day if sent before 2 p.m. Eastern.
- You need the recipient's bank name, routing number, account number, and full name; international wires also require a SWIFT code or IBAN.
- Online banking and the mobile app are faster than visiting a branch, and both show you the wire before you confirm it.
- Once a wire leaves your account, it cannot be stopped or reversed, so double-check the recipient details before you send.
- International wires take longer — typically three to five business days — because they pass through correspondent banks in other countries.
Wire money online through Bank of America's website
Log into your Bank of America online banking account and look for "Transfer Money" or "Wire Funds" in the main menu. Select the account you want to send from, then choose "Wire Transfer" and pick whether it is domestic or international. Enter the recipient's bank name and routing number (for domestic) or SWIFT code (for international), then the recipient's account number and full name exactly as it appears at their bank.
Bank of America will show you a summary of the wire before you confirm — amount, recipient name, bank, and fee. Review it carefully. Once you hit "Confirm" or "Send," the wire is locked in. You cannot cancel it after that point. If you spot an error, stop and start over with the correct information.
The wire will leave your account immediately and show as pending. Domestic wires usually arrive within one business day; international wires take three to five business days depending on the receiving bank's processing speed.
Wire money through the Bank of America mobile app
Open the Bank of America app, tap "Transfer Money," then select "Wire Transfer." Choose your sending account and whether the wire is domestic or international. Enter the recipient's details the same way you would online — bank name, routing number (or SWIFT code), account number, and full name.
The app shows the same confirmation screen as online banking. Review the amount and recipient information before you tap "Confirm." Once confirmed, the wire is sent and cannot be reversed. If you need to send money to someone you have wired to before, the app may save their details so you do not have to re-enter them each time.
Wire money in person at a Bank of America branch
Walk into any Bank of America branch with your ID and ask to send a wire transfer. A teller will ask you for the recipient's bank name, routing number, account number, and full name. For international wires, they will also ask for the SWIFT code or IBAN. You will need to provide the amount you want to send.
The teller will print out the wire details and ask you to review and sign. This is your last chance to catch an error — once you sign, the wire is sent. The teller will give you a confirmation number and receipt. Keep the receipt; it shows the wire amount, recipient, and the date it was sent. If something goes wrong, you will need this number to trace the wire.
Wires sent in person follow the same timeline as online wires — domestic wires leave the same business day if sent before the branch cutoff, and international wires take three to five business days.
What happens if a wire goes to the wrong account
Once a wire leaves Bank of America, it is in the hands of the receiving bank. If you sent it to the wrong account number or the wrong bank, the receiving bank may reject it and send it back to you — but this is not may provide. Some banks hold rejected wires for a period before returning them, which can take weeks.
If you realize you made a mistake immediately after sending, call Bank of America at 1-800-869-3557 and ask them to attempt a recall. They can contact the receiving bank and ask them to return the funds, but the receiving bank is not required to comply. If the receiving bank has already released the money to the recipient, it is gone from a banking perspective. Your only option then is to contact the recipient directly and ask them to send it back, or pursue the matter through your bank's fraud or error department.
This is why reviewing the wire details before you confirm is critical — it is the only point where you can stop the transaction.
Wire transfer fees and limits at Bank of America
Domestic wires cost $15 for standard checking accounts and $0 for some premium accounts like Preferred Rewards members. International wires cost $45 to $50 depending on your account type. Some accounts waive fees entirely; check your account agreement or call the number on the back of your debit card to confirm.
Bank of America does not publish a maximum wire amount, but they do monitor for unusual activity. If you try to wire an amount significantly larger than your normal pattern, the bank may flag it for review or ask you to verify the transaction by phone. This is a fraud prevention measure and can delay the wire by a few hours.
There is no minimum wire amount, so you can send as little as $1, though the fee makes small wires expensive relative to the amount sent.
International wires and currency exchange
When you send money internationally, Bank of America converts your dollars to the recipient's currency at their exchange rate. This rate is not the same as the mid-market rate you see online — banks add a markup, typically 1 to 3 percent. The exact rate depends on the currency pair and current market conditions.
Bank of America will show you the exchange rate and the amount the recipient will receive in their local currency before you confirm the wire. If the rate looks high, you can cancel and try again later, though rates fluctuate constantly and waiting may not help.
International wires also pass through one or more correspondent banks — banks in other countries that process the transfer on behalf of Bank of America. Each correspondent bank may take a small fee from the amount, which reduces what the recipient gets. Ask the recipient's bank whether they charge incoming wire fees; if they do, the recipient will receive less than you sent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a wire after I send it?
No. Once you confirm a wire in online banking, the app, or with a teller, it is sent and cannot be stopped. You can attempt to ask Bank of America to recall it from the receiving bank, but the receiving bank is not required to comply. If the money has already been released to the recipient, it is gone.
How long does a domestic wire take?
Domestic wires usually arrive within one business day if sent before 2 p.m. Eastern on a business day. Wires sent after 2 p.m. or on weekends process the next business day. The receiving bank may take an additional day to post the funds to the recipient's account, so allow two business days total.
What is the difference between a wire and an ACH transfer?
A wire is fast and irreversible — it leaves your account the same day and cannot be recalled. An ACH transfer is slower (typically three to five business days) but cheaper or free, and can be reversed within a window if there is an error. Use a wire when speed matters or when the recipient needs the money urgently. Use ACH for routine payments where cost matters more than speed.
Do I need the recipient's name to match their account exactly?
Yes. The recipient's name must match what is registered at their bank. If you wire to "John Smith" but the account is registered as "John Michael Smith," the receiving bank may reject the wire or hold it for review. Ask the recipient for their full legal name as it appears on their account before you send.
What if the wire is rejected by the receiving bank?
The receiving bank will send it back to Bank of America, which will credit it back to your account. This can take one to three weeks depending on the reason for rejection. You will see the wire reappear as a credit in your account. Once it is back, you can correct the error and send it again.