Wire a payment from BB&T by phone, online, or in person
BB&T (now part of Truist Financial Corporation) lets you send wire transfers through three channels: their online banking portal, their mobile app, or by calling their wire transfer line. The fastest route for most people is online banking if you have the recipient's bank details ready. Phone and in-person wires at a branch take longer but work if you need help or don't have internet access.
Wire transfers from BB&T typically leave your account the same business day if you initiate before the cutoff time—usually 2 p.m. Eastern Time for domestic wires. International wires have an earlier cutoff, often 12 p.m. Eastern. If you miss the cutoff, your wire goes out the next business day. BB&T charges a fee for outgoing domestic wires (usually $15 to $25) and higher fees for international wires; check your account or call to confirm current rates.
Key Takeaways
- Online banking and the Truist mobile app are the fastest ways to send a wire if you have the recipient's routing number, account number, and bank name.
- Domestic wires sent before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day leave the same day; international wires have an earlier cutoff and take longer to arrive.
- You will pay a wire fee ($15 to $25 for domestic, more for international), and the money leaves your account immediately once the wire is sent.
- If you do not have online access or need help, call BB&T's wire transfer line or visit a branch in person with your ID and the recipient's banking information.
Sending a wire through online banking or the mobile app
Log into your Truist online banking account or open the Truist mobile app and look for "Wire Transfer" or "Send Money" in the menu. You will need the recipient's full name, their bank's routing number, their account number, and the amount you want to send. Some banks also ask for the recipient's address. Enter all details carefully—wire transfers cannot be reversed once sent, and a wrong account number means the money goes to the wrong person.
After you enter the information, review the summary screen to confirm the amount, recipient name, and receiving bank. The system will show you the wire fee before you approve. Once you confirm, the wire is submitted. You should receive a confirmation number immediately. Save this number—you will need it if you ever have to track the wire or dispute it later.
The money leaves your BB&T account right away, but it may take one to three business days to reach the recipient's bank, depending on whether the wire is domestic or international and how their bank processes incoming transfers.
Wiring money by phone
Call Truist's wire transfer line at the number on the back of your debit card or on your account statement. Have your account number, PIN or password, and the recipient's information ready before you call. You will need to provide the recipient's full name, their bank's routing number, their account number, the amount, and the reason for the wire (optional but helpful for your records).
The representative will read back all the details to confirm before processing. Ask for a confirmation number and write it down. The wire fee will be deducted from your account along with the transfer amount. Phone wires typically take the same amount of time as online wires to reach the recipient, but calling takes longer on your end—expect 10 to 20 minutes if the line is busy.
Wiring money in person at a BB&T or Truist branch
Visit any BB&T or Truist branch with your ID and the recipient's banking information. A teller can initiate the wire for you. Bring the recipient's full name, their bank's routing number, their account number, and the amount you want to send. If you do not have the routing number, the teller can look it up if you know the recipient's bank name and state.
In-person wires follow the same timeline as online and phone wires—they leave the same business day if sent before the cutoff time. The fee is the same as online ($15 to $25 for domestic wires). This method is useful if you are not comfortable with online banking or if you need the teller to help you verify the recipient's bank details.
What happens if the wire goes to the wrong account
Wire transfers are nearly impossible to reverse once they leave your bank. If you realize you sent money to the wrong account number, contact BB&T immediately—the same day if possible. Provide your confirmation number and explain the error. BB&T can attempt to contact the receiving bank and ask them to return the funds, but the receiving bank is not required to comply, especially if the money has already been moved or withdrawn.
If the receiving bank refuses to return the money, your only option is to pursue a civil claim against the recipient or file a police report if you believe fraud occurred. This is why double-checking the account number before you confirm is critical. Many wire fraud cases start with a typo that sends money to a legitimate account holder who has no obligation to return it.
Wire transfer fees and timing at BB&T
BB&T charges an outgoing wire fee for each transfer you send. Domestic wire fees are typically $15 to $25, and international wire fees are higher—often $35 to $50 or more depending on the destination country. Some accounts (like premium or business accounts) may have different rates. Check your fee schedule or call to confirm the exact amount before you send.
Domestic wires sent before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day (Monday through Friday) leave your account the same day and usually arrive at the recipient's bank within one business day. International wires have an earlier cutoff (often 12 p.m. Eastern) and take three to five business days to arrive, depending on the destination country and whether the receiving bank is part of the SWIFT network. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days, so a wire sent on Friday afternoon may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a wire transfer after I send it?
Not reliably. Once a wire leaves BB&T, it is in the banking system and cannot be stopped. Contact BB&T immediately with your confirmation number and ask them to attempt a recall, but the receiving bank has no obligation to return the money. If the money has already been withdrawn or transferred, recovery is extremely difficult. This is why verifying the account number before you confirm is so important.
What if I do not know the recipient's routing number?
Ask the recipient for it, or look it up using the Federal Reserve's routing number database or the recipient's bank website. You can also call the recipient's bank directly and provide the account number—they will give you the routing number. If you are using a BB&T teller in person, they can look it up for you if you know the bank name and state.
How long does a wire transfer take to show up in the recipient's account?
Domestic wires usually arrive within one business day after they leave BB&T. International wires take three to five business days depending on the destination country and the receiving bank's processing speed. The money leaves your BB&T account immediately, but the recipient may not see it for several days. If more than five business days have passed for a domestic wire, contact BB&T with your confirmation number to trace the transfer.
Do I need to tell my bank I am sending a large wire?
You do not have to, but BB&T may flag unusually large transfers for fraud prevention. If your wire is declined or delayed, it may be because of a security hold. Call BB&T to confirm the transfer is legitimate, and they can release it. For very large amounts, calling ahead can speed up the process.
What is the difference between a wire transfer and an ACH transfer?
Wire transfers leave your account the same day and arrive within one to five business days, but they cost $15 to $50 and cannot be reversed. ACH transfers are free or cost $1 to $3, but they take three to five business days to leave your account and another one to three days to arrive. Use a wire for urgent or large transfers; use ACH for routine bills and transfers where timing is flexible.