How to Transfer Money Between Banks Right Away

What when ready transfers actually are and how they work

An when ready transfer moves money from your account at one bank to an account at another bank within minutes, not days. The money lands in the receiving account almost when ready — often within 15 minutes to an hour — rather than taking the two to five business days a traditional wire transfer or ACH transfer takes.

The speed comes from a network called the RTP (Real-Time Payments) network, which major U.S. banks now use to send money directly to each other around the clock. When you initiate an when ready transfer, your bank checks that the receiving account exists and is active, then moves the funds in real time. The receiving bank credits the account right away.

Not every bank offers when ready transfers yet, and not every bank-to-bank combination works when ready. But the major banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and most regional and online banks — now support them. If your bank does not offer when ready transfers, you can still use a wire transfer or ACH transfer, which take longer but work between any two banks.

Key Takeaways

• when ready transfers use the RTP network and move money between banks in minutes, not days, but only work if both banks participate in the network.
• You will need the receiving account holder's name, account number, and routing number to start a transfer from your bank's website or app.
• when ready transfers usually cost nothing, but wire transfers and ACH transfers may charge a fee depending on your bank and account type.
• If your bank does not offer when ready transfers, you can use a wire transfer (faster, may cost money) or an ACH transfer (slower, usually free).
• The receiving bank must also be part of the RTP network for the transfer to be when ready; if not, your bank will use a slower method instead.

How to send an when ready transfer from your bank

Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for a link labeled "Send Money," "Transfer," "Pay," or "Move Money." The exact name varies by bank. Once you click it, you will see options for transferring to different places — to another account you own at the same bank, to someone else's account, or to an external account at a different bank.

Select the option to transfer to an external account or another bank. You will be asked for the receiving person's name, their account number, and their bank's routing number. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the bank; you can find it on a check, on the bank's website, or by calling the bank directly. Enter all three pieces of information exactly as they appear — a typo in the account number will cause the transfer to fail or go to the wrong account.

Next, enter the amount you want to transfer and choose the date. Most banks let you send when ready right away, or schedule it for a future date. If you choose when ready, the money will leave your account within minutes and arrive in the receiving account within minutes to an hour. Review all the details, then confirm the transfer. Your bank will show you a confirmation number — save this in case you need to track the transfer later.

When when ready transfers do not work and what to do instead

If the receiving bank is not part of the RTP network, your bank cannot send an when ready transfer. Instead, your bank will automatically route the transfer through an older system — usually an ACH transfer, which takes one to three business days. You will not have to do anything different; your bank handles the routing behind the scenes. The transfer will still go through, just more slowly.

If you need the money to arrive faster and the receiving bank does not support when ready transfers, you can use a wire transfer instead. Wire transfers move money the same day, usually within a few hours, and work between any two banks in the U.S. To send a wire, call your bank or visit a branch with the receiving account holder's name, account number, and routing number. Wire transfers usually cost between $15 and $30, depending on your bank.

Some banks also let you transfer money through third-party services like PayPal, Venmo, or Square Cash if the receiving person has an account there. These services are fast and often free for transfers between individuals, but they work only if both people sign up for the service. For a one-time transfer to someone who does not use these apps, a bank transfer is simpler.

Fees and limits on when ready transfers

Most banks do not charge a fee for when ready transfers between accounts at different banks. However, some banks charge a small fee — usually $1 to $3 — if you send more than a certain number of when ready transfers per month, or if you have a basic checking account rather than a premium one. Check your bank's fee schedule or ask a representative whether when ready transfers are free on your account type.

Banks also set daily and monthly limits on how much you can transfer at once. These limits vary widely — some banks allow up to $100,000 per transfer, while others cap it at $10,000 or less. If you need to transfer more than your limit, you can either split it into multiple transfers on different days, or call your bank to ask whether they can raise your limit temporarily.

Wire transfers, by contrast, almost always cost money — typically $15 to $30 for a domestic wire. ACH transfers are usually free. If you are transferring a large amount and cost matters, an ACH transfer is cheaper, but it takes longer. If you need the money fast and cost is not a concern, a wire transfer or when ready transfer is worth the fee.

What information you need before you start

Before you initiate any transfer, gather the receiving person's banking details. You will need their full name exactly as it appears on their bank account, their account number, and their bank's routing number. If any of these is wrong, the transfer may fail, bounce back to you, or go to the wrong account.

The safest way to get this information is to ask the receiving person directly, or to have them send you a photo of a check — the routing number and account number are printed on every check. If you are transferring to a business, ask them for their banking details rather than guessing. Many businesses print their routing and account numbers on invoices or receipts.

You will also need to know your own account number and your bank's routing number if you are setting up the transfer from scratch. This information is on your checks, in your online banking portal, or available by calling your bank's customer service line.

How long when ready transfers actually take

An when ready transfer typically arrives within 15 minutes to one hour, though the exact timing depends on both banks and the time of day. Transfers sent during business hours (roughly 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on a weekday) usually arrive fastest. Transfers sent late at night or on weekends may take longer because the receiving bank processes them in batches the next business day, even though the RTP network operates 24/7.

Once the money arrives in the receiving account, it is available to use right away — the receiving person can spend it, transfer it elsewhere, or withdraw it when ready. There is no hold period like there sometimes is with checks or ACH transfers.

If a transfer does not arrive within an hour, check your bank's website or app to see whether it shows as pending, completed, or failed. If it failed, your bank will usually tell you why — often because the account number or routing number was incorrect. If it is still pending after several hours, contact your bank's customer service to track it down.

when ready transfers versus other ways to move money

Transfer Type	Speed	Cost	When to Use It
when ready Transfer (RTP)	15 minutes to 1 hour	Usually free	When you need money fast and both banks support it
Wire Transfer	Same day, usually within hours	$15–$30	When you need money fast and the receiving bank does not support when ready transfers
ACH Transfer	1–3 business days	Usually free	When you can wait a few days and want to avoid fees
Check	3–7 business days	Free (cost of check stock)	When the receiving person prefers a physical check or does not have a bank account

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send an when ready transfer on a weekend or at night?

Yes, you can initiate an when ready transfer any time through your bank's app or website. However, if you send it late at night or on a weekend, the receiving bank may not process it until the next business day, so it might not arrive when ready. Transfers sent during business hours on weekdays arrive fastest.

What happens if I send money to the wrong account number?

If the account number is wrong, the transfer may fail and bounce back to your account within a few hours. If the account number belongs to a real account at the receiving bank, the money may go to that account instead, and you will have to contact that bank to ask them to reverse it — which can take time. Always double-check the account number before you confirm.

Is an when ready transfer safe?

when ready transfers are as safe as any bank transfer. Your bank verifies the receiving account exists before sending the money. However, once the money arrives, the receiving bank cannot reverse it without the receiving person's consent. Never send money to someone you do not trust, and never send money in response to a request from someone claiming to be your bank.

Do I need the receiving person's permission to send them money?

No, you do not need permission to send money to someone else's account if you have their account number and routing number. However, if you are sending a large amount or the receiving person is not expecting it, it is polite to tell them first so they know to look for the transfer.

Can I cancel an when ready transfer after I send it?

Once an when ready transfer is sent and the money arrives at the receiving bank, you cannot cancel it. If you need to cancel before it is sent, contact your bank right away — you may be able to stop it if it has not processed yet. If the transfer has already arrived, you will have to ask the receiving person to send the money back.