How to Set Up Employees as Payees in Bank of America

Adding an Employee as a Payee in Bank of America

You can add an employee as a payee in Bank of America through Online Banking or the mobile app, then send them money using Bill Pay or a one-time transfer. The process takes a few minutes and requires the employee's name and bank account information. Once you add them, you can send payments whenever you need to without re-entering their details each time.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are using a business or personal account, and whether you want to set up a recurring payment or send money once. Both routes use the same payee setup, but the payment method you choose determines how the money reaches them.

Key Takeaways

• You need the employee's full name, routing number, and account number to add them as a payee in Bank of America Online Banking or the mobile app.
• Once added, an employee payee stays in your system and you can send them money multiple times without re-entering their information.
• Bill Pay typically takes one to three business days to deliver funds, while a one-time transfer may be faster depending on the receiving bank.
• You can set up recurring payments to the same employee payee if you pay them on a regular schedule.
• Bank of America will ask you to confirm the payee details before the first payment goes through.

How to Add an Employee Payee in Online Banking

Log into Bank of America Online Banking and select Bill Pay from the main menu. Click Add a Payee or Manage Payees, depending on your account type. You will see an option to add a new payee; select it and choose Individual as the payee type.

Enter the employee's full name exactly as it appears on their bank account. Then enter their routing number and account number. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies their bank; the account number is unique to their account at that bank. If you do not have these details, ask the employee for a blank check or have them provide the information directly. Click Continue and review the details you entered. Bank of America will confirm the payee information before you send the first payment.

Once confirmed, the employee appears in your payee list and remains there for future payments. You do not need to add them again.

Adding an Employee Payee Through the Mobile App

Open the Bank of America mobile app and tap Pay & Transfer at the bottom of the screen. Select Bill Pay and then tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper left. Choose Manage Payees and tap Add a Payee.

Select Individual and enter the employee's name, routing number, and account number using the same format as Online Banking. Double-check the routing and account numbers before submitting, because errors will delay or prevent the payment from reaching the employee. Tap Confirm and the payee is added to your mobile app.

The payee you add in the mobile app syncs with your Online Banking account, so you see the same list of payees in both places.

Sending Money to an Employee Payee

After you add an employee as a payee, you can send them money through Bill Pay or a one-time transfer. To use Bill Pay, go to Pay & Transfer and select Bill Pay. Choose the employee from your payee list, select the account you want to pay from, and enter the amount. Set the payment date — Bill Pay typically delivers the money in one to three business days.

If you need the money to reach the employee faster, use a one-time transfer instead. Select Pay & Transfer, then Transfer Funds, and choose the employee from your payee list. Enter the amount and select the delivery date. Transfers between Bank of America accounts are usually when ready, while transfers to other banks may take one business day.

Review the payment details before you confirm. Bank of America will show you the payee name, amount, and expected delivery date. Once you submit, the payment is scheduled and you will receive a confirmation number.

Setting Up Recurring Payments to an Employee

If you pay the same employee the same amount on a regular schedule, you can set up a recurring payment instead of sending money manually each time. In Bill Pay, select the employee payee and choose Set Up Recurring Payment or Make This a Recurring Payment. Enter the payment amount and select how often the payment should go out — weekly, biweekly, monthly, or another interval.

Set a start date and an end date if the recurring payment should stop at a certain point. For example, if you are paying a contractor for a three-month project, you can set the end date for the last day of month three. Bank of America will send the payment automatically on the schedule you set, and you will receive a confirmation for each payment.

You can edit or cancel a recurring payment at any time by going to Manage Payees and selecting the employee's name. Choose Edit Recurring Payment or Cancel Recurring Payment as needed.

What Information You Need From the Employee

Before you can add an employee as a payee, you need three pieces of information: their full legal name, their bank's routing number, and their account number. The name must match what is on file at their bank, or the payment may be rejected or delayed.

The routing number is a nine-digit code printed on the bottom left of a check. If the employee does not have a check, they can find their routing number on their bank's website or by calling their bank's customer service. The account number is printed on the check as well, usually at the bottom center, and is typically 10 to 12 digits long.

Ask the employee to provide this information in writing or have them show you a blank check. Do not rely on verbal information, because a single digit entered wrong will cause the payment to fail.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If Bank of America rejects the payee information, the most common reason is an incorrect routing or account number. Double-check both numbers against the employee's check or bank statement. If the numbers are correct, contact the employee's bank to confirm the account is active and in good standing.

If a payment fails after you send it, Bank of America will notify you and return the funds to your account within one to three business days. The failure is usually due to a closed account, incorrect account number, or a mismatch between the payee name and the account holder's name. Contact the employee to verify their current account information and try again.

If you cannot see the employee in your payee list after adding them, log out of Online Banking or close the mobile app and log back in. The payee list sometimes takes a few minutes to refresh. If the payee still does not appear, contact Bank of America customer service to confirm the payee was saved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add an employee who banks at a different bank?

Yes. Bank of America can send money to employees at any bank in the United States as long as you have their routing number and account number. The payment goes through the ACH network, which connects all banks. Delivery typically takes one to three business days.

What happens if I enter the wrong account number?

The payment will be rejected and the funds will return to your account within one to three business days. Bank of America will send you a notification that the payment failed. Contact the employee to get the correct account number and resend the payment.

Can I delete a payee from my list?

Yes. Go to Manage Payees in Bill Pay, select the employee's name, and choose Delete Payee. The payee is removed from your list, but you can add them again at any time using the same process.

Is there a limit to how much I can send to an employee payee?

Bank of America sets daily and monthly transfer limits that vary by account type and your account history. Log into Online Banking and go to Settings to view your limits. You can request a higher limit by contacting customer service, though approval depends on your account and the reason for the increase.

How long does it take for an employee to receive the money?

Bill Pay typically takes one to three business days. Transfers to another Bank of America account are usually when ready. Transfers to other banks may take one business day. The exact timing depends on the receiving bank's processing speed.