What Bank of America charges for wire transfers

Bank of America charges $15 for domestic wire transfers sent through its online banking platform or at a branch. International wire transfers cost $45. These are the standard fees as of now, though Bank of America can change them without notice — check your account or call 1-800-432-1000 to confirm the current rate before you send.

The fee applies whether you initiate the wire yourself online or ask a teller to send it. Some accounts waive wire fees entirely. If you have a Bank of America Preferred Rewards membership or certain premium checking accounts, you may not pay the standard fee — your account terms will spell out what applies to you.

Wire fees are separate from any fees the receiving bank might charge. If the recipient's bank assesses a fee to receive the wire, that comes out of the money that arrives on their end, not from what you send.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America charges $15 for domestic wires and $45 for international wires sent online or at a branch.
  • Some account types, including Preferred Rewards memberships, may waive wire fees entirely — check your account details.
  • The receiving bank may also charge a fee to accept the wire, which reduces the amount the recipient sees.
  • Once a wire is sent, Bank of America cannot recall it, so confirm the recipient's details before you authorize the transfer.

How to send a wire through Bank of America

Log into your Bank of America online account, select the account you want to send from, and look for the wire transfer option under "Transfer & Pay." You'll enter the recipient's name, bank routing number, and account number. For international wires, you'll also need the recipient's bank's SWIFT code and sometimes their address.

Bank of America will show you the fee and the exact amount the recipient will receive before you confirm. Review this carefully — if the numbers don't match what you expect, stop and call the bank. Once you authorize the wire, it typically leaves your account within hours on a business day, though it may take one to three business days to reach the recipient's bank.

If you prefer to send in person, visit a branch with your account information and the recipient's banking details. A teller can initiate the wire for you, though the fee remains the same.

When Bank of America may delay or block a wire

Bank of America screens outgoing wires for fraud and compliance reasons. If the transfer looks unusual — a much larger amount than you normally send, a new recipient, or a destination flagged for sanctions — the bank may hold the wire for review. This can add one to two business days to the process.

You may be asked to confirm the wire by phone or to provide documentation of why you're sending the money. Answer promptly; delays cost you nothing extra, but they do postpone when the recipient gets the funds. If the bank ultimately blocks the wire, the money stays in your account and you can try again or use a different method.

Alternatives to Bank of America wire transfers

If the $15 domestic fee feels high or you need a faster route, consider other options. ACH transfers (Automated Clearing House) are free through Bank of America and take one to three business days. They work for most domestic transfers under $25,000 and are safer than wires because they can be reversed if something goes wrong.

Peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle are free for most transfers and arrive within minutes to a few hours, though they have daily limits and work best for smaller amounts between individuals. For large international transfers, services like Wise (formerly TransferWise) often charge less than banks and offer better exchange rates, though they take one to four business days.

If you're sending money to another Bank of America account, use the internal transfer option — it's free and instant. Check whether the recipient banks with Bank of America before you pay a wire fee.

What information you need to send a wire

For a domestic wire, you need the recipient's full name, their bank's routing number (a nine-digit code), and their account number. You should also know the name of the bank itself to double-check you have the right routing number.

For an international wire, you need all of the above plus the recipient's bank's SWIFT code (usually eight to eleven characters), and sometimes the recipient's address or the bank's address. Ask the recipient to provide this information directly rather than guessing — a wrong routing number or SWIFT code can send your money to the wrong place, and recovering it is difficult and slow.

Bank of America's wire form will ask you to confirm all details before you submit. Take the time to verify every number and name; typos in account numbers or routing numbers are the most common reason wires go astray.

Wire fees for different Bank of America account types

Standard checking and savings accounts pay the full $15 domestic and $45 international fee. Bank of America Preferred Rewards members may have fees waived depending on their tier — Gold tier members get one free domestic wire per month, and Platinum and Platinum Honors members get unlimited free domestic wires. International wires usually still carry a fee even for premium members, though this varies.

Some business accounts and wealth management accounts also waive wire fees. If you hold multiple accounts or have a Preferred Rewards membership, log into your account or call the bank to confirm what applies to you before you send.

What happens after you send a wire

Once Bank of America processes your wire, you'll see it leave your account immediately or within a few hours. The $15 or $45 fee appears as a separate charge on your statement. The recipient's bank receives the wire within one to three business days, depending on the receiving bank's processing speed and whether it's a weekend or holiday.

You can check the status of your wire by logging into your account or calling Bank of America. Keep your confirmation number — if the recipient says they didn't get the money, you'll need it to investigate. Bank of America can trace the wire and confirm whether it reached the receiving bank, though they cannot reverse it once it's been accepted by the recipient's bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my wire fee back if I change my mind?

No. Once you authorize a wire, the fee is charged to your account. If you cancel the wire before it's sent, the fee may still apply depending on how far along the process is. Call Bank of America immediately if you want to cancel — the sooner you act, the better your chances of stopping it.

What if the wire goes to the wrong account?

Contact Bank of America right away with your confirmation number. The bank can try to recover the funds, but success depends on whether the receiving bank will cooperate. If the recipient's bank has already released the money, recovery is unlikely. This is why confirming the routing number and account number before you send is critical.

Do I pay the wire fee if the transfer fails?

Usually not. If Bank of America rejects the wire before it leaves your account, the fee should not be charged. If the wire is sent but rejected by the receiving bank and returned to you, you may see the fee charged. Check your statement or call the bank to confirm.

Is there a limit on how much I can wire?

Bank of America does not publish a single wire limit — it depends on your account type, history, and the bank's fraud review. Domestic wires of $10,000 or more may trigger additional scrutiny. Call the bank before sending a large wire to confirm there are no holds on your account.

How do I know if my wire arrived?

Ask the recipient to confirm they received it. You can also call Bank of America with your confirmation number and they can tell you whether the wire reached the receiving bank. The receiving bank may hold the funds for one to two business days before making them available to the recipient.