Send international wires from anywhere you can sign in to Online Banking

    International wires generally arrive at the recipient bank in 2 business days if sent by 5 p.m. ET
    International wires are available to more than 200 countries
    Sending a wire is secure and convenient

Should I send my wire in U.S. dollars or foreign currency?

    If you do not know the currency of the receiving account, you should send in U.S. dollars.
    If you send your wire in foreign currency, your recipient (in most instances) will receive the funds sooner than if you sent the funds in U.S. dollars. In addition, initiating your transfer in local currency will allow you to lock in the exchange rate up front; youll see the exact exchange rate when you initiate a transfer.

When you need to move money quickly and securely, a wire transfer can get the job done. The process is fairly easy, but gathering information and providing it in the right format can be a challenge.

If youre not sure exactly how wire transfers work, read through Bank Wire Transfer Basics before you authorize a transfer out of your account. The money you send will leave more or less immediately, and you wont be able to get it back (you cant "stop payment" or cancel the transfer).

If youre not 100% certain whos getting the money, youre taking a risk.

Types of wire transfers: the term wire transfer gets used several ways, including

    A transfer from one bank to another using traditional bank networks
    An electronic payment using a money transfer service (such as Western Union, PayPal, and others), which might use somebodys bank account

The exact process will depend on which type of transfer you use. But in many cases, youll need the same information (such as bank account numbers) to complete the transfer. That said, some money transfer services ( like Western Union) operate entirely independently - you can bring cash, and the recipient can walk out with cash. They also let you identify the recipient with a phone number or email address.
Wire Transfer Instructions

To send funds using a traditional bank wire youll need the following information for the account that will receive the funds.

    Recipient bank name (the bank that the money is going to)
    Recipient bank ABA number or other code
    Payees account number at the bank
    Any additional information you need to provide (further delivery instructions, etc.)

To get this information, just ask the recipient (assuming youre sending money to somebody else - or ask your bank if youre sending to yourself).

Your recipient will probably need to ask their bank for these details - banks typically provide an instruction sheet with all of the necessary details spelled out. Never wire money based on information you get in an email

Scam warning: Never wire money based on information you get in an email. If somebody sends instructions electronically, call the recipient and verify the wiring instructions before moving forward. Hackers can easily intercept messages and provide information for an account they control, and its an increasing problem. For example, if your title company sends wiring instructions for a down payment, make sure you know where the money is really going.

How to have money wired to your account: If youre receiving money, ask your bank for wire transfer instructions - or look for wiring instructions online. Note that the ABA number you normally use (the one you see on your checks or that you use for direct deposit) might not be the best one to use for wire transfers. If you need the money quickly, its always best to talk with customer service and verify that youre using the correct set of numbers and instructions.
Sending a Wire? Contact Your Bank

To send a wire, gather the information above, contact your bank, and ask how to send a wire transfer from your account.

They may have a form that you need to fill out, or you might be able to start the process online.

Banks increasingly accept wire instructions online, but make sure to verify all of the details with your bank before you start typing. You might be able to send small wires online, while a visit to the branch is required for large dollar amounts (for example, banks might allow you to request wires up to $25,000 online, so discuss the specific amount ahead of time).

Depending on when you submit instructions to your bank, they may complete your bank wire on that same day. Contact your bank after you submit your request to confirm that they have everything they need.

Unlike some electronic payments (such as ACH payments) bank wires cost money. You should expect to pay a fee for the service, and you might even have to pay if you receive a bank wire into your account.

Wire transfer fees are often between $25 and $40.

If you use a credit card, youll pay even more. Its best to fund transfers out of a checking account so you dont pay cash advance fees and high interest rates.