Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use Zelle®?
You can send, request, or receive money with Zelle®. To get started, log into Columbia Bank's online or mobile banking platform, select the "Payments" tab, and then "Send Money 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 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,” enter their enrolled email address, U.S. mobile number or Zelle® tag, confirm the recipient is correct and tap “Request.”
To receive money, just share your enrolled email address or U.S. mobile 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 Columbia Bank account, typically within minutes.
If someone sent you money with Zelle® and you have not yet enrolled with Zelle®, follow these steps:
- Click on the link provided in the payment notification you received via email or text message.
- Select Columbia Bank.
- 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.
Is my information secure?
Keeping your money and information secure is a top priority for Columbia Bank. When you use Zelle® within our mobile app or online banking, your information is protected with the same technology we use to keep your Columbia Bank account safe.
Who can I send money to 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 neighbor. [1]
Since money is sent directly from your Columbia Bank account to another person’s bank account within minutes[1], 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 should not use Zelle®. These transactions are potentially high risk (just like sending cash to a person you don’t know is high risk).
I believe I’ve been a victim of a scam. Who should I contact?
Please contact our Customer Service Center. Qualifying imposter scams may be eligible for reimbursement.
Can I use Zelle® internationally?
In order to use Zelle®, the sender and recipient’s bank or credit union accounts must be based in the U.S.
Can I reverse or cancel a payment?
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 Service Center 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 of 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 contact our Customer Service Center to determine what options are available.
Are there any limits for sending and receiving money with Zelle®?
The amount of money you can send, as well as the frequency, is set by each participating financial institution. To determine Columbia Bank send limits, please contact our Customer Service Center.
At Columbia Bank, 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.
What if I want to send money to someone whose bank or credit union doesn’t offer Zelle®?
As of March 31, 2025, all users must be enrolled through one of the more than 2,300 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 Zelle.com. If their bank or credit union is not listed, we recommend you use another payment method at this time.
