What happens if my lender sends mortgage funds after the bank's wire cut-off time on closing day?

Banks operate on internal daily processing windows for outgoing and incoming wires, and funds sent after that day's cutoff generally will not actually arrive and be usable until the following business day, regardless of what time the lender initiated the transfer. This means a mortgage sent even shortly too late can push the funds your lawyer needs out of reach for that day's closing, even though the money is technically on its way.

If this happens, your lawyer will typically find out as soon as it becomes clear the wire will not land in time, and will need to discuss options with you and the seller's side, which may include a short delay or a next-business-day closing. Because banks do not guarantee that a wire initiated close to a cutoff will actually be processed the same day, ask your lender or mortgage broker in advance what their internal timing looks like for your specific closing date, and build in a margin rather than assuming funds sent on the morning of closing will always arrive in time.