Wire transfers from Bank of America: the basic steps

You can send a wire transfer from Bank of America through online banking, the mobile app, or by visiting a branch in person. The fastest route is usually online or mobile if you have the recipient's banking details ready. You'll need the recipient's full name, bank name, account number, and routing number — or their SWIFT code if the transfer is international.

Bank of America charges a fee for wire transfers: typically $15 for domestic transfers and $45 for international ones, though these amounts can vary by account type. The fee comes out of your account at the time you send the transfer. Domestic wires usually arrive the same business day if sent before the cutoff time (normally 2 p.m. Eastern), while international wires take one to three business days depending on the receiving bank.

Key Takeaways

  • Domestic wire transfers through Bank of America cost $15 and arrive the same business day if sent before 2 p.m. Eastern on a weekday.
  • International wire transfers cost $45 and require either the recipient's SWIFT code or their full banking details, taking one to three business days to arrive.
  • You can initiate a wire through online banking, the mobile app, or in person at a branch, but you cannot cancel a wire after it has been sent.
  • Have the recipient's full name, account number, and routing number (or SWIFT code for international) ready before you start, because the transfer cannot be edited once submitted.

Sending a domestic wire transfer online or through the mobile app

Log into your Bank of America online banking account or open the mobile app and navigate to the Transfers section. Select "Wire Transfer" and choose the account you want to send from. Enter the recipient's full name exactly as it appears on their bank account, their account number, their bank's routing number, and the amount you want to send.

Review all the details carefully — especially the account number and routing number, because a mistake here means the money goes to the wrong place and recovery is difficult. Once you confirm, Bank of America will show you the $15 fee and ask you to authorize the transfer. The wire will process when ready if it's before 2 p.m. Eastern on a business day; otherwise it queues for the next business day.

You will receive a confirmation number. Write this down or take a screenshot — you'll need it if you ever need to contact Bank of America about the transfer. The confirmation does not mean the money has arrived at the recipient's bank, only that Bank of America has sent it.

Sending an international wire transfer

International wires follow the same process as domestic ones, but you'll need additional information. Instead of a routing number, you need the recipient's bank's SWIFT code (also called a BIC code), which is an eight or eleven-character code that identifies banks worldwide. You may also need an IBAN (International Bank Account Number) depending on the country.

Bank of America charges $45 for international wires. The receiving bank may charge an additional fee on their end, which comes out of the amount the recipient receives — so if you send $1,000, the recipient might get $950 or less depending on their bank's fees. Ask the recipient what their bank charges before you send, so they're not surprised by a smaller deposit.

International wires take longer because they pass through multiple banks. Most arrive within one to three business days, but some countries' banking systems are slower. If the wire hasn't arrived after three business days, contact Bank of America with your confirmation number and they can check the status with the receiving bank.

Sending a wire transfer in person at a Bank of America branch

You can walk into any Bank of America branch and ask a teller to send a wire transfer for you. Bring a photo ID and have the recipient's information ready. The teller will fill out the wire transfer form with you, verify the details, and process the transfer on the spot. You'll pay the same $15 or $45 fee depending on whether it's domestic or international.

This method is useful if you don't have online banking set up, if you're uncomfortable entering the information yourself, or if you want to hand over cash and have the teller verify everything before it goes through. The teller can also answer questions about SWIFT codes or routing numbers on the spot. The transfer processes the same way as an online wire — same day if before 2 p.m. Eastern on a business day, otherwise the next business day.

What you cannot do once a wire transfer is sent

Once Bank of America has sent a wire transfer, you cannot cancel it, stop it, or change where it goes. This is the biggest difference between a wire and other payment methods like checks or ACH transfers. If you realize you made a mistake — wrong account number, wrong amount, wrong recipient — the money is already gone and recovery is uncertain.

If the wire went to the wrong account, you have to contact that bank and ask them to reverse it, which they may or may not do depending on their policies. If the wire went to a scammer, the money is almost certainly lost. For this reason, always double-check the account number and routing number before you authorize the transfer, and never send a wire to someone you don't know or trust.

Wire transfer fees and timing by account type

Bank of America's standard wire transfer fees are $15 domestic and $45 international. Some premium accounts like Preferred Rewards may offer reduced fees or a certain number of free wires per month — check your account details or call 800-432-1000 to confirm what your account includes.

Timing depends on when you send the wire and what day of the week it is. Wires sent before 2 p.m. Eastern on a weekday (Monday through Friday) process the same business day. Wires sent after 2 p.m. Eastern, on weekends, or on federal holidays queue for the next business day. Bank of America does not process wires on weekends or federal holidays, so a wire sent on Friday afternoon won't leave until Monday morning.

What to do if a wire transfer goes wrong

If the recipient says they never received the money, contact Bank of America when ready with your confirmation number. Bank of America can check the status of the wire with the receiving bank and tell you whether it arrived. If it arrived but the recipient's bank hasn't credited their account yet, it's usually a processing delay — most banks credit wires within one business day of receipt.

If the wire was sent to the wrong bank or account number, contact that bank directly and explain the situation. Ask them to reverse the transfer or return the funds. Some banks will do this quickly; others require the account holder's permission or won't reverse wires at all. If the receiving bank refuses to help, contact Bank of America again and ask whether they can pursue it further — they have relationships with other banks that may help.

If you suspect fraud or that you were scammed into sending the wire, report it to Bank of America and to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov. The sooner you report it, the better the chance of recovery, though recovery is not may provide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a wire transfer on the weekend?

No. Bank of America does not process wire transfers on Saturdays, Sundays, or federal holidays. A wire sent on Friday evening or over the weekend will queue and process on the next business day, usually Monday morning.

What's the difference between a wire transfer and an ACH transfer?

A wire transfer is faster and irreversible — it leaves your account when ready and arrives the same day or next day, but you cannot cancel it once sent. An ACH transfer is slower (three to five business days) but cheaper (often free) and can be canceled before it settles. Use a wire when speed matters and you trust the recipient; use ACH for routine payments where cost matters more than speed.

Do I need to tell the recipient I'm sending a wire?

Yes. Let them know the amount, the date you're sending it, and approximately when it will arrive. This way they know to expect it and can check their account. If it doesn't arrive on time, they can contact their bank to investigate.

What if I don't know the recipient's routing number?

Ask the recipient for it, or ask them what bank they use and look up the routing number on that bank's website. Bank of America's website has a routing number lookup tool. Never guess or use a number you're not sure about — a wrong routing number sends the money to the wrong bank.

Can someone else send a wire from my Bank of America account?

Only if they have access to your online banking login or if they're an authorized user on your account. If someone sends a wire without your permission, report it to Bank of America when ready as fraud. Change your password and enable additional security features like two-factor authentication.