Published March 12, 2022
By:Kailey Hagen
Our Banking Expert
There's a lot to think about when opening a new bank account, like what features it offers and how you're going to access your cash. But just as important is knowing how to transfer money to another bank. There are a few ways you can go about this, and we'll talk about each of them below.
Jump To
On This Page
- How a bank transfer works
- Types of bank-to-bank transfer
- Things to keep in mind when transferring money between banks
- FAQs
How a bank transfer works
There are several ways to transfer your money from one bank account to another, whether the new account is at the same bank or a different one. Usually, all you have to do is tell the bank that currently has your money where you'd like it sent and it will move it for you. But to do this, you need to know two things: your routing number and your account number.
Routing number
Your routing number corresponds to the institution that's holding your money. You can often find your routing number by:
- Searching for it online
- Contacting the bank
- Finding it on your checks
TIP
Finding your routing number
If you have checks, you can find your routing number listed on the bottom of each check. It's usually the first number written there, and it's nine digits long.
Account number
Your account number identifies your personal account within that bank. This can be 10 or more digits long, depending on the bank.
You can find yours as the second number written on the bottom of your checks or you can contact your bank to ask. You may need to answer some personal questions to verify your identity before the bank will give you this information.
Types of bank-to-bank transfer
There are four ways you can transfer funds between banks. Here's a closer look at the pros and cons of each.
Electronic transfers
Electronic transfers are the simplest option for most people and they're free. All you need is:
- An online account with your current bank
- The routing and account numbers for your new bank account
When you do an electronic transfer to another account at the same bank, it's often instant. But when you transfer funds to another bank, it can take up to three business days.
Plus, many banks limit how much their customers can transfer per day or per month. Oftentimes, these limits are several thousand dollars, so they should be enough for most people. But those looking to transfer large sums at once may have to explore some other options.
Pros of electronic transfers
- Free
- Safe to use
Cons of electronic transfers
- May take a couple of days to transfer
- Not great for large single-day transfers
How to transfer money to another bank electronically
If you want to electronically transfer funds to another bank, follow these steps:
- Log into your online banking account at your current bank.
- Select the Transfer option. If you can't find this, reach out to your bank for assistance.
- Enter the routing and account number for your new bank account.
- Select how much you'd like to transfer.
- Confirm the transfer and wait for the funds to show up in your new account.
Wire transfers
Wire transfers are an alternative if you need to access your funds quickly or if you need to transfer large sums at once. These are similar to electronic transfers, but they happen much faster. Most domestic transfers can be processed on the same day.
TIP
Look for fees
Many banks charge fees for outgoing wire transfers and some charge for incoming wire transfers as well. Wire transfers can also be difficult to stop if you change your mind after you've initiated them.
Wire transfer pros
- Quick
- Secure
- Can transfer large sums at once
Wire transfer cons
- Fees
- Can be difficult to cancel
How to transfer money to another bank with a wire transfer
If you want to move funds via wire transfer, take these steps:
- Log in to your online banking account or mobile banking app.
- Choose Wire Transfer.
- Enter the routing number and account number for your new bank.
- Enter the amount you want to transfer.
- Confirm the transfer.
Zelle is a popular money transfer app used by many U.S. banks and credit unions. It doesn't have fees, and transfers between banks are often instant.
Learn more: Full Zelle Review
Check transfer
If you're not comfortable banking online, you may decide to move your funds via a check transfer. This is where you write a check from your current bank account and deposit that check into your new bank account. You need a checkbook to do this and your current account must offer check-writing capabilities.
Security is also a little more of a concern here because if you lose your check, there's a possibility that someone else could find it and use it to steal your money. Another issue for those depositing large checks is that you may only get access to a portion of your funds right away. It can take a few days for your bank to release all the funds to you.
Check transfer pros
- No fees
- Can transfer larger sums
Check transfer cons
- Security risk if you lose your check
- May not have access to all your funds right away
- Not available if your current account doesn't offer check-writing capabilities
How to transfer money to another bank with a check transfer
Here are the steps to transfer your money to another bank with a check:
- Fill out your check with your name and the amount you'd like to transfer.
- Sign and date the check.
- Take a photo of your check and remote deposit it using your new bank's mobile banking app.
- Or you can take it to your new bank's branch, fill out a deposit slip for your account number, and give this to a bank teller.
- Wait for the funds to show up in your new bank account.
Things to keep in mind when transferring money between banks
Here are a couple things to keep in mind when moving money between banks.
Always verify that you've entered your information correctly
Before you send money using any of the methods above, make sure you've entered all of your information correctly, especially your account number. If you accidentally transfer your funds to someone else, you may not be able to get them back.
If you do inadvertently send money to the wrong place, reach out to the bank to see if you can stop the transfer before it completes.
Watch out for excess withdrawal fees from savings accounts
When moving your money out of a savings account, you could face excess withdrawal fees if you make more than six withdrawals in a month. This is because of a federal law known as Regulation D that required this limitation on savings accounts.
TIP
Good to know
The government suspended Regulation D early in the COVID-19 pandemic and has yet to reinstate it. But many banks still charge fees for those who exceed six monthly withdrawals.
It's worth noting that not all withdrawals are created equal. The six monthly withdrawal rule usually only applies to "convenient" withdrawals, such as:
- Electronic transfers
- Check withdrawals
- Automatic bill pay
But withdrawing money at a bank branch or taking cash out at an ATM doesn't count toward these limits.
Learn more: What is Regulation D?
If you have any questions about transaction limits or what kind of fees you could face for moving money out of your savings account, reach out to your bank to ask.
FAQs
The best way to transfer your money depends on your needs and goals. For most people, electronic transfers are the way to go because they are safe and free.
Wire transfers can move your money quickly, but you'll usually pay a fee for this convenience. Some money transfer apps also allow for instant transfers, again at a cost.
Transferring your money electronically is usually pretty safe, assuming you've got the routing and account numbers correct.
Our Banking Expert
By:Kailey Hagen
Writer
Kailey Hagen has been writing about small businesses and finance for almost 10 years, with her work appearing on USA Today, CNN Money, Fox Business, and MSN Money. She specializes in personal and business bank accounts and software for small to medium-size businesses. She lives on what's almost a farm in northern Wisconsin with her husband and three dogs.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a Disclosure Policy. The Author and/or The Motley Fool may have an interest in companies mentioned.
The Ascent is a Motley Fool service that rates and reviews essential products for your everyday money matters.
Copyright © 2018 - 2023 The Ascent. All rights reserved.
About The Ascent
About UsContact UsNewsroomHow We Make MoneyEditorial IntegrityRatings MethodologyRSS Feed
Legal
Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyAccessibility PolicyTerms and ConditionsCopyright, Trademark and Patent Information
Learn
Credit CardsBankingBrokerageCryptocurrencyMortgagesInsuranceLoansRecent Articles
Back to The Motley Fool
FAQs
What is the best way to transfer money between banks? ›
If you're transferring money to someone else's account and you want to do it quickly, a wire transfer is probably the best option. Depending on when you send it, the funds will arrive at the other bank on the same day or within one business day.
Is there a fee to transfer money between banks? ›Wire transfer fees typically range from $0 to $50. Domestic outgoing wire transfer fees typically range from $0 to $35, while international outgoing wire transfer fees are usually $35-50.
Can I write a check to myself to transfer money from one bank to another? ›Yes, writing a check to yourself is perfectly legal. You may be wondering why you would do this. Writing a check to yourself is another way to withdraw cash from your bank account or transfer money between accounts. To do this, you write your name on the payee line.
What is the easiest way to transfer money to someone? ›- Zelle.
- Venmo.
- Cash App.
- PayPal.
- Apple Cash.
- Google Pay.
- Samsung Pay Cash.
You can use it with friends at other banks. Zelle® works between U.S.-based banks. Which means, even if you bank somewhere different than your friends and family do,1 you can still use Zelle® to safely send and receive money straight from your banking app.
How does money transfer between banks work? ›The most common way of wire transfer is through the SWIFT or Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication network. The SWIFT network is a messaging protocol. It has over 11,000 banks in 200-plus countries in its network. This network is used to send information from one bank to another.
How long does it take to transfer money between banks? ›Bank wire transfer
How long do wire transfers take? Bank wire transfers are usually processed the same day for domestic transfers. If you're transferring money internationally, an international transfer may take up to five days to complete.
You can do this fastest electronically or by using a cashier's check. Using a personal check may be cheaper than using a cashier's check, but there may be a longer wait before it is available in your new account. Once the transfer clears your new account, close the old account.
How do I transfer money from one bank to another without a check? ›You can make an ACH transfer through your bank account's online or mobile banking portal. To make a transfer to another account, whether your own or someone else's, you'll need the account number, routing number, and name of the account you're transferring to.