What It Costs to Transfer Money Between Banks
External transfers are free at some banks, and cost from $3 to $10 at others. Here are the specifics for ACH transfers at 18 top banks.
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When you transfer money between banks — called an external transfer — there can be fees and it might take days. These transfers are processed through the Automated Clearing House electronic network, much like other ACH transfers such as bill payments and direct deposit.
While transfers between accounts at the same bank can be instant, you generally must wait for bank-to-bank transfers to process before funds get delivered. Some banks and credit unions don’t charge for external transfers, but others assess a small fee, typically $10 or less. And this applies only to online transfers. We’ll talk about staff-assisted transfers at the end of the article.
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External transfer fees by financial institution
The table below lists transfer data for some of the country’s largest financial institutions, including Chase’s external account transfer fee and Bank of America’s transfer fee. Skip ahead to read more about external transfers.
Financial institution (Click on the bank name to read review) | Cost (both directions unless specified) | Approximate delivery times* |
---|---|---|
$0 | 1-2 business days | |
$0 | 3 business days | |
$0 | 1-3 business days; longer for transfers initiated at the bank where the funds should arrive | |
To or from Axos account: $0 To Axos account (next day): $0 From Axos account (next day): $7 | 3 business days; option for next-day delivery | |
To Bank of America account: $0 From Bank of America account (3 business days): $3 From Bank of America account (next day): $10 | 3 business days; option for next-day delivery | |
To Bank5 Connect account: $0 From Bank5 Connect account (standard delivery): $0 From Bank5 Connect account (next day): $3 | Up to 3 business days; option for next-day delivery | |
$0 | 2-3 business days | |
$0 | 2-3 business days; option for free next-day delivery | |
$0 | 2 business days | |
$0 | 2 business days | |
$0 | 3 business days; option for free next-day delivery | |
$0 | Up to 4 business days | |
To and from a Navy Federal account: $0 Same-day bill pay: $5 | 1-2 business days; option for same-day bill pay service | |
$0 | 3 business days | |
$0 | Up to 3 business days | |
$0 | 1-3 business days | |
To U.S. Bank account: $0 From U.S. Bank account: Up to $3 | 3 business days; option for free next-day delivery (incoming transfers only) | |
$0 | To Wells Fargo account: 3 business days From Wells Fargo account: 2 business days |
*These are typical total outgoing and incoming transfer times when initiated through online banking, according to each financial institution’s disclosures and general policies. Delays can occur due to holding periods, sending after daily cutoff times, initial service setup and other reasons. This list includes only personal accounts, not business accounts.
» MORE: Learn the basics of ACH transfers
How to transfer money more quickly
ACH transfers usually take a few business days to process, and nearly every financial institution has a cutoff time for transfer requests. Respecting these will help your money arrive on time. If you submit a transfer request after the cutoff — around the end of the business day — it generally won’t be processed until the next business day.
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Some banks offer next-day delivery, usually for an extra cost.”
Weekends and bank holidays don’t count as business days. If you initiate a transfer request at 11 p.m. on the Friday before a three-day holiday weekend, the money might not reach its destination until the following Thursday.
Some banks offer next-day delivery, usually for an extra cost. Even then, “next day” usually means “next business day,” not “next calendar day.” But rules implemented in March 2018 make it possible for most ACH payments, including payroll and account-to-account transfers, to be processed the same day they’re requested.
Transfer money between banks without fees
Person-to-person transfer service Zelle can work for external transfers between accounts you own. And, unless one of your banks tacks on its own Zelle fee, it’s free.
If you're looking at fees beyond ACH transfers, consider online banks such as these three, which have free checking accounts:
ACH transfer vs. wire transfer
ACH transfers are cheaper than wire transfers, which typically cost about $25 to send and $15 to receive. You might pay more than $40 to transfer internationally. There’s a reason for the higher fees: Whereas ACH transfers may take days, wire transfers may be completed in minutes or hours.
» MORE: Learn the basics of wire transfers
Staff-assisted vs. online banking transfer
If you call a customer service representative or visit a branch to request a bank transfer, your financial institution might charge you — even if online transfers are free. For example, PNC Bank doesn’t charge for online transfers, but you’ll pay $3 for each staff-assisted transfer.
Before you make a transfer, make sure you know your financial institution’s policies. Read our article on how to avoid checking fees to lower your costs and keep more money in your account.
METHODOLOGY
We looked at more than 30 financial institutions: the largest U.S. banks based on assets, debit card volume and internet search traffic; the nation’s largest credit unions with broad-based membership requirements; and other notable and/or emerging players in the industry.