Can US bank transfer money internationally?
You can send an international wire transfer by visiting a U.S. bank branch. Feel free to save time by setting up an appointment. See: How do I schedule an appointment at a U.S. Bank branch? If there is not a U.S. Bank branch in your area, we may be able to help you by phone.
- Find the wire transfer section on your online banking service.
- Enter the recipient's bank details.
- Enter the amount and currency you want to send.
- Pay the transfer processing fee.
- Prepare the information needed for international wire transfer.
Provider | Fee¹ | Total Cost |
---|---|---|
US Bank (USA) | $50 | $50 + exchange rate markup + likely fees from intermediary and recipient banks |
Wise | $6.93 | $6.93 (via ACH) |
Bank of America is a good option for those who want to send money to countries that are not covered by other banks. Wells Fargo: Wells Fargo is another popular bank in the United States that offers competitive exchange rates and low fees for international wire transfers.
Transferring Large Sums of Money Internationally - FAQ
Any international money transfer exceeding $10,000 USD must be reported to the US government on a Foreign Bank Account Report per the Bank Secrecy Act. Many people wonder, “Do large bank transfers take longer than online services?” Typically, the answer is yes.
Banks will require additional documentation for transfers that involve more than $10,000. Depending on the amount you're sending, you might have to provide additional information, such as proof of your source of wealth. You might have to show your monthly payslips.
An international wire transfer is a bank service used for electronically transferring money from one bank account to another account in a different country, where the average transfer time is 1-2 business days.
Wire transfers initiated in the U.S. Bank Mobile App or online banking 1 are limited to domestic (U.S.) transactions, in U.S. dollars, to bank accounts at financial institutions in the United States. International wire transfers may only be completed by visiting a U.S. Bank branch.
SWIFT Transfer Charges
The charges include a transfer fee, an exchange rate, and a double currency conversion rate. Big banks and institutions charge 3-5% on the exchange rate for each transfer. The exchange rate also varies from bank to bank and is based on the amount you send.
Provider | International wire fee |
---|---|
Wise | Low fee which varies by destination, transparent fee structure |
OFX | No fee |
Bank of America | Digital payments in a foreign currency have no transfer fee |
Chase | $5 per transfer for online payments, with fees waived for payments of $5,000 or more |
Does U.S. Bank do SWIFT transfers?
For international wires, they need to use a Swift Code instead of the routing number. U.S. Bank's Swift Code is USBKUS44IMT.
You may bring into or take out of the country, including by mail, as much money as you wish. However, if it is more than $10,000, you will need to report it to CBP.
Both Western Union and PayPal are popular choices for sending large sums of money overseas.
The minimum FTT transfer amount to be entitled for preferential rate is RM10,000.00 or equivalent in foreign currency (calculated based on prevailing market rate). The maximum transaction limit to enjoy preferential rate follows the current daily FTT transaction limit of RM49,999.00.
While the general rule is that wire transfers over $10,000 must be reported to the IRS, there are some exceptions to this requirement. These include: Transactions that are conducted by financial institutions on behalf of the US government. Transactions that are conducted between financial institutions.
Because of the Bank Secrecy Act, all banks and other financial institutions must file a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) for any wire transfer over $10,000. The CTR includes the following information: The name and account number of the person or party initiating the transfer.
If you're sending a large amount of money, you may want to use a wire transfer at your bank. You'll need the recipient's account and routing numbers. You and the recipient will likely incur fees. Wire transfers take place in less than 24 hours but do not occur on weekends or on bank holidays.
A certified money transfer service is the fastest way to send money internationally, and it's much safer than sending cash. With simple online platforms, using these services is also easier than setting up your own wire transfer to a foreign bank.
- Best for international transfers: MoneyGram. ...
- Best for Home Delivery: Remitly. ...
- Best for savings and investment features: Cash App. ...
- Best for flexibility and purchase protection: PayPal. ...
- Revolut. ...
- Best for Sending Cash: Western Union. ...
- Best for mobile transfers: Venmo.
Online transfer using an account number and routing number. This lets you easily send money online to someone else's account, and is also a great way to transfer money between your own accounts with Bank of America or at other financial institutions.
Why do US banks charge for wire transfers?
Wire transfer fees exist in part because there's a cost to send money between banks. But wire transfer fees are also a source of revenue for banks, similar to the monthly maintenance fees charged on checking and savings accounts. A domestic wire could arrive in a few hours or a few days.
Your full account number. For domestic wires, your routing number. For international wires, they need to use a Swift Code instead of the routing number. U.S. Bank's Swift Code is USBKUS44IMT.
Banks in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and China do not use IBAN codes. They use SWIFT codes and routing numbers. IBANs are mostly reserved for European countries.
In theory, it can refer to both domestic and international money transfers, but wire transfers are much more commonly used for transfers abroad, as local bank transfers are the superior options in terms of time and cost savings. The term “wire transfer” is often synonymously used for the SWIFT network.
When you use SWIFT, you are not actually sending a money transfer. Instead, it is referred to as a “payment order” between two banks. This is done using a SWIFT code.