Zelle is a fast, secure and easy way to send money directly between bank accounts in the U.S., typically within minutes1. With just an email address, U.S. mobile phone number, or bank account number you can send money to people you trust, regardless of where they bank2.
Note:
- Zelle is currently available to Private Digital Banking users only
- Zelle is not currently available for Business/Corporate Digital Banking users
Who can I send money to with ZELLE?
You can send money to almost anyone you trust and need to, no matter where they bank2.
Since money is sent directly from your bank account to another person's bank account within minutes1, it's important to only send money to people you trust, and always ensure you've used the correct email address or U.S. mobile number.
How do I use ZELLE?
You can send, request, and receive money with Zelle.
To get started, log into Digital Banking online or on your mobile app and navigate to Send Money. Accept terms and conditions, select your email address or U.S. mobile phone number (Zelle prohibits the use of toll free mobile numbers), receive a one-time verification code, enter it, and you're ready to start sending and receiving with Zelle.
To send money using Zelle, simply add a trusted recipient's email address or U.S. mobile phone number, enter 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 minutes1.
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"3.
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 Zelle1.
Also, you can use Zelle QR codes to send or receive money. Zelle QR codes can be shared with another person via the Share/Print option.
Someone sent me money with ZELLE, How do I receive it?
If you have already enrolled with Zelle, you do not need to take any further action. The money will move directly into your bank account, typically within minutes1.
If you have not yet enrolled with Zelle, follow the below steps. Note: you must enroll within 14 days of receiving the notification or the payment will expire.
- Click on the link provided in the payment notification you received via email or text message.
- Select SVB Private as your financial institution.
- Follow the instructions provided on the page to enroll and receive your payment. Pay attention to the email address or U.S. mobile number where you received the payment notification - you should enroll with Zelle using that email address or U.S. mobile number where you received the notification to ensure you receive your money.
What types of payments can I make with ZELLE?
Zelle is a great way to send money to family, friends, and people you are familiar with such as your personal trainer, babysitter or neighbor2.
Since money is sent directly from your bank account to another person's bank account within minutes1, Zelle should only be used to send money to friends, family and others you trust.
Neither SVB Private nor Zelle offers a protection program for any authorized payments made with Zelle – for example, if you do not receive the item you paid for or the item is not as described or as you expected.
How do I get started?
It's easy – Zelle is already available within Digital Banking online and on your mobile banking app! Check our app or sign-in online and follow a few simple steps to enroll with Zelle today.
What if I want to send money to someone whose financial institution doesn't offer ZELLE?
You can find a full list of participating banks and credit unions live with Zelle here.
If your recipient's financial institution isn't on the list, don't worry! The list of participating financial institutions is always growing, and your recipient can still use Zelle by downloading the Zelle app for Android and iOS.
To enroll with the Zelle app, your recipient will enter their basic contact information, an email address and U.S. mobile number, and a Visa® or Mastercard® debit card with a U.S. based account (does not include U.S. territories). Zelle does not accept debit cards associated with international deposit accounts or any credit cards.
How does ZELLE work?
When you enroll with Zelle through your online banking account, or mobile banking app, your name, the name of your financial institution, and the email address or U.S. mobile number you enrolled is shared with Zelle (no sensitive account details are shared – those stay with SVB Private).
When someone sends money to your enrolled email address or U.S. mobile number, Zelle looks up the email address or mobile number in its "directory" and notifies SVB Private of the incoming payment. SVB Private then directs the payment into your bank account, all while keeping your sensitive account details private.
Can I use ZELLE internationally?
In order to use Zelle, the sender and recipient's bank accounts must be based in the U.S.
Can I cancel a payment?
You can only cancel a payment if the person you sent money to hasn't yet enrolled with Zelle. To check whether the payment is still pending because the recipient hasn't yet enrolled, you can go to your activity page, choose the payment you want to cancel, and then select "Cancel This Payment."
If the person you sent money to has already enrolled with Zelle, the money is sent directly to their bank account and cannot be canceled. This is why it's important to only send money to people you trust, and always ensure you've used the correct email address or U.S. mobile number when sending money.
If you sent money to the wrong person, we recommend contacting the recipient and requesting the money back. If you aren't able to get your money back, please contact the Concierge Desk at (888)322-2120.
You can cancel a payment that is scheduled in advance if the money has not already been deducted from your account4.
How long does it take to receive money with ZELLE?
Money sent with Zelle is typically available to an enrolled recipient within minutes1.
If you send money to someone who isn't enrolled with Zelle, they will receive a notification prompting them to enroll. After enrollment, the money will move directly to your recipient's account, typically within minutes1.
If your payment is pending, we recommend confirming that the person you sent money to has enrolled with Zelle and that you entered the correct email address or U.S. mobile phone number.
If you're waiting to receive money, you should check to see if you've received a payment notification via email or text message. If you haven't received a payment notification, we recommend following up with the sender to confirm they entered the correct email address or U.S. mobile phone number. The payment will expire if not claimed by the receiver within 14 days of it being sent.
Still having trouble? Please contact the Concierge Desk at (888)322-2120.
Will the person I send money to be notified?
Yes! They will receive a notification via email or text message.
Is my information secure?
Keeping your money and information safe is a top priority. When you use Zelle within our mobile app or online banking, your information is protected with the same technology we use to keep your bank account safe.
I'm unsure about using ZELLE To pay someone I don't know. What should I do?
If you don't know the person or aren't sure you will get what you paid for (for example, items bought from an online bidding or sales site), you should not use Zelle for these types of transactions.
These transactions are potentially high risk (just like sending cash to a person you don't know is high risk). Neither SVB Private nor Zelle offers a protection program for any authorized payments made with Zelle – for example, if you do not receive the item you paid for or the item is not as described or as you expected.
What if i get an error message when I try to enroll an email address or U.S. mobile number?
Your email address or U.S. mobile phone number may already be enrolled with Zelle at another bank or credit union. Call our customer support team and ask them to move your email address or U.S. mobile phone number to SVB Private so you can use it for Zelle.
Once customer support moves your email address or U.S. mobile phone number, it will be connected to your bank account so you can start sending and receiving money with Zelle through SVB Private's mobile banking app and online banking. Please call the Concierge Desk at (888)322-2120 for help.
Zelle and the Zelle related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.
1. Transactions typically occur in minutes when the recipient's email address or U.S. mobile number is already enrolled with Zelle.
2. Must have a bank account in the U.S. to use Zelle.
3. In order to send payment requests or split payment requests to a U.S. mobile number, the mobile number (Zelle prohibits the use of toll free mobile numbers) must already be enrolled with Zelle.
4. Scheduled or recurring payments sent directly to your recipient’s account number (instead of an email address or mobile number) are made available by SVB Private but are a separate service from Zelle and can take 1 – 3 business days to process.