Sending money overseas is easier than ever with the Bank of America mobile app. Whether you’re transferring funds to family, friends, a business, or even your own foreign bank account, the process can be completed directly from your phone.
This guide explains how to complete a wire transfer from Bank of America, how to add an international recipient, what SWIFT and IBAN numbers mean, and how to avoid unnecessary fees.
Getting Started with a Wire Transfer from Bank of America
To begin, open the Bank of America app and tap Pay & Transfer at the bottom of the screen.
At the top of the next page, you’ll see three options:
- Pay Bills
- Zelle
- Wire
Select Wire, which supports both U.S. and international transfers.
On the wire transfer page, tap Start a Wire to begin. If you’ve sent money before, you’ll also see a list of recent recipients that can be used for faster transfers.
Bank of America also displays exchange rates and fees for several common destinations, allowing you to review costs before sending money.
How to Add an International Recipient
Before you can send an international wire transfer, you’ll need to add the recipient.
Tap Add New Recipient and choose the country where the recipient’s bank account is located. Popular destinations are listed automatically, but you can also search for any country using the search bar.
After selecting the destination country, you’ll be asked to choose the currency you want to send.
Choosing the Right Currency and Avoiding Fees
One of the most important parts of a wire transfer from Bank of America is selecting the correct currency.
In many cases, sending money in the recipient’s local currency comes with no separate transfer fee. However, sending U.S. dollars internationally may result in a flat fee, often around $45.
Why does this happen?
When you send money in a foreign currency, Bank of America handles the currency conversion and earns revenue through the exchange rate spread. Because of this, the bank may waive the separate transfer fee.
When sending U.S. dollars, the receiving bank must perform the conversion instead, which can trigger additional charges.
For most international transfers, sending money in the recipient’s local currency is often the more cost-effective option.
Select Account Type and Ownership
Next, you’ll be asked two questions:
What type of account are you sending to?
Choose:
- Personal
- Business
Select Personal for friends or family members and Business when paying a company or vendor.
Whose account is it?
Choose between:
- My account
- Someone else’s account
Many people use international transfers to move money between their own accounts in different countries, so either option is perfectly acceptable depending on your situation.
Enter Recipient Details Carefully
You’ll now enter the recipient’s information, including:
- First name
- Last name
- Optional nickname
- Street address
- City
- Postal code
Accuracy is critical when completing a wire transfer from Bank of America. The recipient’s name should match their bank records exactly. Even minor errors can delay processing or cause the transfer to be rejected.
How to Find and Enter SWIFT/BIC and IBAN Numbers
The next step requires the recipient’s banking information.
What Is a SWIFT or BIC Code?
A SWIFT code, sometimes called a BIC code, identifies the recipient’s bank.
Think of it as the bank’s international address. It tells the payment system exactly which financial institution should receive the funds.
SWIFT codes are typically 8 or 11 characters long.
What Is an IBAN?
IBAN stands for International Bank Account Number.
While the SWIFT code identifies the bank, the IBAN identifies the specific account within that bank.
A simple way to remember it is:
- SWIFT finds the bank
- IBAN finds the account
If you don’t have a SWIFT code, Bank of America provides a lookup tool that can help locate it using the bank’s name.
Verify Recipient Bank Information
After entering the SWIFT code, Bank of America will verify it automatically.
Once verified, you’ll see the recipient bank’s name and location. This serves as an important confirmation that the banking details are correct.
If the displayed bank doesn’t match the one you expected, stop and double-check the information before continuing.
Review and Save the Recipient
Before saving the recipient, you’ll see a complete summary that includes:
- Recipient name
- Address
- Bank name
- SWIFT code
- Account number or IBAN
Review everything carefully. International wire transfers can be difficult or impossible to reverse once processed.
If all information is correct, tap Add to save the recipient.
How to Select and Manage International Recipients
After saving the recipient, tap All Recipients to view your list.
International recipients are often identified with the flag of their country, making them easier to distinguish from domestic recipients.
Select the recipient to continue with your transfer.
How to Calculate Exchange Rates and Transfer Amounts
On the transfer screen, choose:
- The account the money will come from
- The amount you want to send
Bank of America displays:
- The amount you’re sending
- The currency being received
- The estimated exchange rate
- The amount the recipient will receive
This transparency helps you understand the true cost of the transfer before you send it.
If you selected the recipient’s local currency, you’ll typically see no separate transfer fee displayed.
Choose the Purpose of the Transfer
International wire transfers require a stated purpose for regulatory compliance.
Common options may include:
- Family support
- Goods and services
- Business payments
- Charitable donations
Simply select the option that best matches your reason for sending money.
Verify Your Identity
Before the transfer can be completed, Bank of America will typically verify your identity.
This often involves receiving a security code via text message or another authentication method.
This extra layer of security helps protect your account from fraud and unauthorized transfers.
How to Review and Send an International Wire
The final review screen displays all transfer details, including:
- Recipient information
- Sending account
- Transfer amount
- Exchange rate
- Destination bank
Take a final moment to verify every detail.
International wire transfers are generally final once submitted, so correcting mistakes afterward can be difficult.
If everything looks correct, confirm the transfer and submit it.
Final Thoughts
Completing a wire transfer from Bank of America may seem complicated the first time, but the process becomes much easier once you’ve done it once.
By understanding how to add recipients, use SWIFT and IBAN information, compare exchange rates, and choose the right currency, you can send money internationally with confidence. The next time you need to make a wire transfer from Bank of America, the entire process should take only a few minutes.
