Zelle® FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Using Zelle®

Top Zelle® FAQ

You can use Zelle® with multiple banks, but you'll need to use a different email address or U.S. mobile number for each Zelle® enrollment.

You can also transfer your Zelle® enrollment from a different bank to First Citizens bank:

  • Open Zelle® in First Citizens Digital Banking
  • Add your email address or U.S. mobile number and Submit
  • Follow the prompts to transfer your Zelle® from another bank
  • You will receive an email confirming the transfer

 For additional help, you can call the First Citizens support team at 877-206-3818.

Make sure you are using a U.S. mobile number or email address that belongs to you.  You can't enroll in Zelle® using landlines, international numbers, toll-free numbers or VoiP numbers, including Google Voice.

Also confirm that no one else is already registered with Zelle® using your U.S. mobile number or email address.  If they are, you need to:

  • Go to your First Citizens Digital Banking 
  • Select Profile and Preferences > Profile & Contact Info
  • Update your U.S. mobile number or email address to a unique one 
  • Enroll again in Zelle®

 For additional help, you can call the First Citizens support team at 877-206-3818.

You can send up to $1,000 within a 24-hour period and up to $3,500 within a 30-day period.

How the Limits Work:

  • A 24-hour period means your sending limit resets based on the last 24 hours, not at a fixed time like midnight. For example, if you send $1,000 at 3:00 PM today, you won't be able to send more until 3:01 PM the next day.
  • A 30-day period works the same way but over a longer timeframe. Instead of resetting on the first of each month, your limit is based on the total amount sent over the past 30 days. If you've reached the $3,500 limit, you'll need to wait until earlier transactions fall outside the rolling 30-day window before sending more.

Limits may vary and are subject to change.

We do not limit how much money you can receive with Zelle®. However, the sender may be subject to limits on how much they can send you, based on the policies of their financial institution.

Money sent with Zelle® is typically received in minutes when both parties are enrolled.* Select transactions may take up to 3 business days.

For details:

  • Open Zelle® in First Citizens Digital Banking
  • Go to Activity
  • Select the payment to find out more

If the payment is Pending, confirm that the recipient has enrolled with Zelle® and that you entered the correct email or U.S. mobile number.

For additional help, you can call the First Citizens support team at 877-206-3818.

* To send or receive money with Zelle®, both parties must have an eligible checking or savings account. Transactions between enrolled users typically occur within minutes.

In order to use Zelle®, the sender and recipient's bank or credit union accounts must be based in the U.S.

If you're a U.S. customer traveling internationally, you can send Zelle® if: 

  • You're already enrolled in Zelle® with a U.S. mobile number or email address that belongs to you

AND

  • You're able to get a security code on your U.S. mobile number while located internationally

If you're unable to see Zelle® in Digital Banking, you'll need to update your digital profile and login preferences to include a U.S. mobile number. 

  • Go to First Citizens Digital Banking 
  • Select Profile and Preferences > Profile & Contact Info and update your mobile number to a U.S. mobile number 
  • Select Profile and Preferences > Log in Preferences > Secure Delivery and update your mobile number to a U.S. mobile number 
  • Select Send Money with Zelle® again to use it

For additional help, you can call the First Citizens support team at 877-206-3818.

Digital Banking/Zelle®

You can send, request or receive money with Zelle®. To get started, log into First Citizens Digital Banking and select Send Money with Zelle®. Enter your email address or U.S. mobile phone number, receive a one-time verification code, enter it, accept 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. The recipient will receive an email or text message notification via the method they used to enroll with Zelle®. Money is available to your recipient in minutes if they are already enrolled with Zelle®.

To request money using Zelle®, choose Request, select the individual from whom you'd like to request money, enter the amount you'd like, include an optional note, review and hit Request. If the person you are requesting money from is not yet enrolled with Zelle®, you must use their email address to request money. If the person has enrolled their U.S. mobile number, then you can send the request using their U.S. mobile number.

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®. If you have already enrolled with Zelle®, you do not need to take any further action. The money will be sent directly into your First Citizens Bank account, typically within minutes.

If someone sent you money with Zelle® and you have not yet enrolled with Zelle®, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the link provided in the payment notification you received via email or text message.
  2. Select First Citizens Bank.
  3. 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 to ensure you receive your money.

Zelle® is a great way to send money to family, friends and people you are familiar with such as your personal trainer, babysitter or neighbor.

Since money is sent directly from your First Citizens Bank account to another person's bank account within minutes, Zelle® should only be used to send money to friends, family and others you trust.

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 shouldn't use Zelle®. These transactions are potentially high risk (just like sending cash to a person you don't know is high risk).

If you've already enrolled with Zelle®, you don't need to take further action. The money will move directly into your bank account, typically within minutes.

If you have not yet enrolled with Zelle®, follow these steps:

  1. Select the link provided in the payment notification you received through email or text message.
  2. Select First Citizens Bank.
  3. Follow the instructions provided on the page to enroll and receive your Zelle® 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 to ensure you receive your money.

The Zelle® QR code provides peace of mind knowing you can send and receive money to the right person, without typing an email address or U.S. mobile number.

To locate your Zelle® QR code, log into Digital Banking, then select Send Money with Zelle®. Go to your Zelle® settings and click Zelle® QR code and your QR code will be displayed under My Code. From here you can view your QR code and use the print or share icons to text, email or print your Zelle® QR code. To receive money, share your Zelle® QR code.

To send money, log into the Digital Banking app, click Send Money with Zelle®, click Send, then click on the QR code icon displayed at the top of the Select Recipient screen. Once you allow access to your camera, simply point your camera at the recipient's Zelle® QR code, enter the amount, hit Send, and the money is on the way! When sending money to someone new, it's always important to confirm the recipient is correct by reviewing the displayed name before sending money.

Keeping your money and information secure is a top priority for First Citizens Bank. When you use Zelle® within First Citizens Digital Banking, your information is protected with the same technology we use to keep your First Citizens Bank account safe.

Neither First Citizens Bank nor Zelle® offers purchase protection for payments made with Zelle®—for example, if you do not receive the item you paid for, or the item isn't as described or as you expected. Only send money to people and small businesses you trust and always ensure you've used the correct email address or U.S. mobile number when sending money.

Please contact our customer support team at 877-206-3818. Qualifying imposter scams may be eligible for reimbursement.

No, Zelle® payments cannot be reversed.

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 you do not see this option available, please contact our customer support team at 877-206-3818 for assistance with canceling the pending payment.

If the person you sent money to has already enrolled with Zelle® through their bank or credit union's mobile app or online banking, 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 know and 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, please immediately call our customer support team at 877-206-3818 to determine what options are available.

Zelle® is a great way to send money to family, friends and people you are familiar with such as your personal trainer, babysitter or neighbor.

Because money is sent directly from your bank account to another person's bank account within minutes, Zelle® should only be used to send money to friends, family and others you trust.

Neither First Citizens Bank nor Zelle® offers a protection program for any authorized payments made with Zelle®. For example, if you don't receive the item you paid for or the item isn't as described or as you expected.

As of March 31, 2025, all users must be enrolled through one of the more than 2,200 banks and credit unions that offer Zelle® in order to send and receive money. The list of participating financial institutions is always growing. You can find the updated list of participating banks and credit unions live with Zelle® at Zellepay.com. If their bank or credit union is not listed, we recommend you use another payment method at this time.

Yes. They will receive a notification through email or text message.

Some small businesses are able to receive payments with Zelle®. Ask your favorite small business if they accept payments with Zelle®. If they do, you can pay them directly from the First Citizens Digital Banking app using just their email address or US mobile number.

You can use Zelle® with multiple banks, but you'll need to use a different email address or U.S. mobile number for each Zelle® enrollment.

You can also transfer your Zelle® enrollment from a different bank to First Citizens bank:

  • Open Zelle® in First Citizens Digital Banking
  • Add your email address or U.S. mobile number and Submit
  • Follow the prompts to transfer your Zelle® from another bank
  • You will receive an email confirming the transfer

 For additional help, you can call the First Citizens support team at 877-206-3818.

Make sure you are using a U.S. mobile number or email address that belongs to you.  You can't enroll in Zelle® using landlines, international numbers, toll-free numbers or VoiP numbers, including Google Voice.

Also confirm that no one else is already registered with Zelle® using your U.S. mobile number or email address.  If they are, you need to:

  • Go to your First Citizens Digital Banking 
  • Select Profile and Preferences > Profile & Contact Info
  • Update your U.S. mobile number or email address to a unique one 
  • Enroll again in Zelle®

 For additional help, you can call the First Citizens support team at 877-206-3818.

Zelle® for Your Small Business

Zelle® is a fast, safe and easy way for small businesses to send, receive and request money typically within minutes with customers and eligible vendors they trust. If your customers use Zelle® within their financial institution's banking app, they can send payments directly to your First Citizens bank account with just your email address or US mobile number.

Eligible small business accounts can send, receive or request money with Zelle®. To get started, log in to First Citizens Digital Banking and select Send Money with Zelle®. Enter your email address or US mobile number, receive a one-time verification code, enter it, accept the terms and conditions, and you're ready to start sending and receiving money with Zelle®.

To send money with Zelle®, simply select someone from your mobile device's contacts (or add a trusted recipient's email address or US mobile 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 receive money using Zelle® with a small business account, share your enrolled email address or US mobile number with your customers and ask them to send you payment with Zelle® right from their banking app. No need to share any sensitive account details. After the consumer sends you payment with Zelle®, you will receive your money directly into your enrolled bank account.

To request money using Zelle® with a small business account, choose Request, enter the individual's email address or US mobile number, confirm the recipient is correct and tap Request. You'll receive a payment notification once your customer has sent you money in response to your request.

Eligible small business accounts can send, receive or request money with Zelle®. To get started, log in to First Citizens Digital Banking and select Send Money with Zelle®. If you don't see Zelle®, please call our customer support team at 877-206-3818.

Neither First Citizens Bank nor Zelle® offers purchase protection for payments made with Zelle®—for example, if you don't receive the item you paid for or if the item is not as described or as you expected. Only send money to people and small businesses you trust, and always ensure you've used the correct email address or US mobile number when sending money.

No. Zelle® payments cannot be reversed.

You can only cancel a payment if the small business or consumer 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 select Cancel This Payment. If you don't see this option available, contact our customer support team at 877-206-3818 for assistrance with canceling the pending payment.

If you send money to a business or consumer that 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 know and trust, and always ensure you've used the correct email address or US mobile number when sending money.

If you sent money to the wrong person, immediately call our customer support team at 877-206-3818 to determine what options are available.

Please contact our customer support team at 877-206-3818. Qualifying imposter scams may be eligible for reimbursement.

Keeping your money and information secure is a top priority for First Citizens. When you use Zelle® within our online banking or mobile app, your information is protected with the same technology we use to keep your First Citizens account safe.

In order to use Zelle®, the sender's and receipient's bank or credit union accounts must be based in the US.

Zelle® QR code provides peace of mind knowing you can send and receive money, without typing or providing an email address or US mobile number.

To locate your Zelle® QR code, log in to First Citizens Digital Banking and select Send Money with Zelle®. Select Send, then select the QR code icon displayed at the top of the Select Recipient screen. Navigate to My Code. From here, you can view and use the print or share icons to text or email your Zelle® QR code.

To send money, log in to First Citizens Digital Banking and select Send Money with Zelle®. Select Send, then select the QR code icon displayed at the top of the Select Recipient screen. Once you allow access to your camera, simply point your camera at the recipient's Zelle® QR code, enter the amount, select Send and the money is on the way. When sending money to someone new, it's always important to confirm the receipient is correct by reviewing the displayed name before sending money.

Whether you use Zelle® with a business or consumer account, Zelle® uses the same network to initiate payments to businesses and consumers. Consumers who are already enrolled with Zelle® through their mobile banking app don't need to do anything different to send money to a business. They can use the existing Zelle® experience they already know and trust within their bank's mobile app.

You can send, request or receive money with Zelle®. To get started, log in to Digital Banking and select Send Money with Zelle®.

To enroll a business bank account with Zelle®, you must use a different US mobile number or email address than the one you used to enroll your personal bank account with Zelle®. For example, crystal@email.com would be connected to your personal checking account, and 555-555-1234 would be connected to your business bank account.

The amount of money you can send, as well as the frequency, is set by each participating financial institution. To determine First Citizens send limits, call our customer service at 877-206-3818.

At First Citizens, there are no limits to the amount of money you can receive with Zelle®. However, remember that the person sending you money will most likely have limits set by their own financial institution on the amount of money they can send you.

There are a few ways you can encourage your customers to pay you with Zelle®.

  • Tell customers verbally that you accept payments with Zelle® and that they can easily send you money right from their banking app.
  • Include it on an invoice. We recommend adding I accept payments with Zelle® or Pay me with Zelle®.
  • Use Zelle® to request money from your customers, which will send them a notification telling them you've requested payment with Zelle®.

Note that you'll only be able to receive payments from consumers using Zelle® through their financial institutions' mobile banking app.

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First Citizens does not charge fees to download or access First Citizens Digital Banking, including the First Citizens mobile banking app. Mobile carrier fees may apply for data and text message usage. Check with your carrier for more information. Fees may apply for use of certain services in First Citizens Digital Banking.

Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.

Please see the Zelle® Terms of Service.

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