How to use zelle to pay someone

If you have a checking account with Union Bank, Zelle® is already available in your mobile banking app.Check your app and follow a few simple steps to enroll with Zelle® today.

You can send, request, or receive money with Zelle®. To get started, log into your Union Bank mobile app and tap the "Transfer/Send" menu button at the bottom of the screen, then select the Zelle® icon. Following the prompts, enter the information requested, accept the terms and conditions, and you're ready to start sending and receiving with Zelle®.

To send money using Zelle®, simply select someone from your mobile device's contacts (or add a trusted recipient's email address or U.S. mobile phone number), add the amount you'd like to send and an optional note, review, then hit "Send." In most cases, the money is available to your recipient in minutes.

To request money using Zelle®, choose "Request", select the individual from whom you'd like to request money, enter the amount you'd like to request, include an optional note, review and hit "Request".

To receive money, just share your enrolled email address or U.S. mobile phone number with a friend and ask them to send you money with Zelle®.

You can view our interactive demos if you would like more instruction:

  • Enroll and Send Money

  • Request A Payment

  • Split a Bill

Get it on the App Store

Before you leave our site, we want you to know your app store has its own privacy practices and level of security which may be different from ours, so please review their policies.

Or we can text a download link directly to your phone

Phone Number In 999-999-9999 Format

Please enter a valid 10-digit phone number

By providing your mobile number you are consenting to receive a text message. Text message fees may apply from your carrier. Text messages may be transmitted automatically.

Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Touch ID are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

Get it on the App Store

Before you leave our site, we want you to know your app store has its own privacy practices and level of security which may be different from ours, so please review their policies.

Or we can send you a link by email

Please enter a valid email address

Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Touch ID are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

Get it on Google Play

How to use zelle to pay someone

Before you leave our site, we want you to know your app store has its own privacy practices and level of security which may be different from ours, so please review their policies.

Or we can text a download link directly to your phone

Phone Number In 999-999-9999 Format

Please enter a phone number

By providing your mobile number you are consenting to receive a text message. Text message fees may apply from your carrier. Text messages may be transmitted automatically.

Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Samsung is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Get the mobile banking app

Before you leave our site, we want you to know your app store has its own privacy practices and level of security which may be different from ours, so please review their polices.

Continue

We've sent you a download link

We sent an email with the download link to

We sent a text message with the download link to

We couldn't send the link

We're sorry we weren't able to send you the download link. Please try again, or use your mobile device to get the app from its app store.

In this article:

  • What Is Zelle?
  • How Does Zelle Work?
  • What Banks Use Zelle?
  • Does Zelle Charge a Fee?
  • What Is Zelle’s Transfer Limit?
  • Is Zelle Safe?
  • Is Using Zelle a Good Option?

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on March 5, 2018, and has been updated.

It's never been easier to send and transfer money directly from your mobile device. From splitting dinner to sending money to a friend or business, applications like Zelle, Venmo and Cash App have revolutionized how consumers move money, allowing transfers in seconds without needing to ever having to write a check or handle cash.

So what is Zelle and how does it work? Read on to learn how this payment app can make safe, quick money transfers—and what to watch out for to ensure you use it safely.

Zelle is a mobile payment application that allows peer-to-peer (P2P) money transfers, simplifying the process of paying for things and making it easier to move money without handling cash or visiting the bank. Users transferred $187 billion in 2019 using Zelle, an increase of 57% since 2018.

Zelle was developed by more than 30 major U.S. banks, and has a standalone app that users can download to their smartphone. The service is also integrated within the mobile banking apps of major participating banks, including Bank of America, Chase, Citi and Wells Fargo. Consumers who already have their bank's mobile app can start using Zelle right away.

How Does Zelle Work?

Unlike Venmo, money transferred using Zelle moves directly from one bank account to another. Most banking transfers between accounts require account numbers to initiate transactions, and these transactions can take up to several business days. Zelle eliminates this need, allowing users to transfer funds from one checking account to another in a matter of minutes.

To initiate a transfer, all you need is the email address or phone number of the person you're sending money to. Zelle sends the recipient a text or email indicating there's a payment waiting for them, along with a link to accept it. If the recipient's bank is a participating partner, the recipient simply needs to register for the service through their bank's website or mobile app with an email address or phone number.

Once registered, the recipient can accept the payment, though first-time users may have to wait up to three days to receive payment. If the recipient's bank is not a participating member, they can still receive the funds by downloading the Zelle mobile app, registering with an email or phone number, and entering a debit card to receive the funds.

What Banks Use Zelle?

Zelle is compatible with nearly all major banks, and most even have the service integrated into their mobile banking app. Consumers who download Zelle's standalone app must provide a phone number or email and debit card information to be able to receive and send funds.

As long as you have a Visa or Mastercard debit card, you can download Zelle and use the application to send money. If your bank already works with Zelle, you'll be directed to your bank's mobile app, as long as you have it downloaded on your device.

To see the full list of banks that work with Zelle, refer to this list.

Does Zelle Charge a Fee?

Unlike certain other P2P transfer services, Zelle does not charge any fees. Venmo and Cashapp charge fees if users send money using a credit card, and if users want to immediately deposit funds into their bank account. These fees can range from 1.5% to 3% and can make the transfer of large amounts costly.

What Is Zelle's Transfer Limit?

If your bank doesn't offer Zelle, your limit for sending money is $500 per week. If your bank does offer Zelle, you may be able to transfer larger amounts; contact your financial institution to find their spending limits. When it comes to receiving funds through Zelle, however, there are no limitations to how much you can accept.

Here are some of the major banks that offer Zelle and the daily and weekly limits they allow users to transfer using the service.

BankDaily LimitMonthly Limit
Ally Bank$5,000 $10,000
Bank of America$2,500 $20,000
Chase Personal Checking$2,000 $16,000
Chase Business Checking or Chase Private Client$5,000 $40,000
Citibank Account, Basic Account and Access Account$2,000 $10,000
Citibank Citi Priority, Citigold and Citi Private Bank$5,000 $15,000
Citizens Bank$1,000 $5,000
PNC Bank$1,000 $5,000
U.S. Bank$2,500 $10,000
USAA$1,000 $10,000
Wells Fargo$2,500 $20,000

Is Zelle Safe?

Compared with handling cash and sending bills or checks in the mail, Zelle could be considered a safer option for moving money quickly. Because the funds never sit in a third-party location, your money is always insured. And the company touts its security, because the idea is that your bank is already protecting your personal financial data.

One caveat to using Zelle is that you need to be sure you're sending funds to the correct recipient—and it's a person you trust. Because the money moves so quickly, if the person you send money to has a Zelle account, the transfer will be completed in minutes and thus cannot be canceled once it's sent. That means you'll want to double-check your transfers to ensure that you don't make a mistake and send the funds to the wrong person.

Zelle's speed in transferring funds also makes it a prime target for criminals, some experts warn. If you're transferring money in exchange for goods and services, a scammer could take your money and not complete the exchange.

Indeed, Zelle does not have the safety features PayPal offers, including protection against being charged for something that wasn't purchased or for not receiving an item that they paid for. If you fall victim to a scam in which you authorize a transfer to someone for goods and services that they do not ultimately provide, there may not be a way to recoup those funds through Zelle. If your account is hacked and money is transferred without your authorization, Zelle recommends you contact your financial institution to see if you can report the fraud and get your money back. You can find out more information about fraud and scams on Zelle's website.

Is Using Zelle a Good Option?

Overall, if you need to transfer money quickly, Zelle is a good, no-cost option that works almost instantly. Unlike other P2P transfer apps, Zelle does not charge fees, and easily moves money between banks, making it one of the better options for immediate transfers.

Though it may be a quick and easy option, it's important for users to remember to use it responsibly, making sure to confirm they're sending funds to people they know and trust. If you are going to use Zelle to pay for goods and services provided by someone you haven't met, make sure they are reputable before transfering money, as this is one of the major areas of loss while using money-transfer apps.

How do recipients receive money from Zelle?

If you sent funds to their mobile phone number, they'll get a text message. If you sent funds to their email address, they'll get an email. To ensure the transaction goes as smooth as possible, we recommend you share with your recipient which item you sent funds to (phone or email).

Can you Zelle money to anyone?

You can send money to almost anyone1 you know and trust with a bank account in the U.S. When using Zelle®, at least one side of the transaction (sender or receiver) must have access to Zelle® through their bank or credit union. Don't know if your bank offers Zelle®? Check here to see if they offer Zelle®.

Do you need a bank account for Zelle?

Important: While you can typically use Zelle® with people at different banks, at least one person must have a bank in the Zelle Network in order to send and receive money.