Wire transfers explained: What they are and how they work?

When dealing with various global payment methods across countries and regions, your top priority is ensuring you transfer funds securely and efficiently while minimizing payment costs. One reliable option is a wire transfer – a type of electronic funds transfer that sends money from one bank account to another. But what exactly are wire payments, and how do they work?

Read on to understand how to send wire transfers, including the benefits, timing, exact fees, and global options available. We'll also explain how Airwallex can support your business with fast, cost-effective, and secure international wires.

What is a wire transfer?

A wire transfer is an electronic transfer of funds between two domestic or international accounts. It’s commonly used for sending large transactions securely and swiftly. Although wire transfers may be more costly than other methods, they are highly reliable.

To initiate a wire transfer, the sender pays the transfer amount from their account and provides essential bank information, including the recipient's full name, account number, SWIFT code (for international wires), and the destination country.

How does a wire transfer work?

Here's a step-by-step guide to understanding how wire transfers work:

• The sender initiates the transaction using online banking or in person, providing key account details like the recipient's name, bank name, account number, and SWIFT code.

• The sending bank authenticates the sender’s account, applies any applicable fees, and sends the payment instructions through a secure system, such as the SWIFT system.

• The payment may be processed through an intermediary bank, especially for international wire transfers.

• The recipient's bank receives the instruction and deposits the funds into the account holder’s bank account. This can take from the same day to a few business days.

What are the types of global wire transfers?

Wire payments are categorized into two types: domestic wire transfers and international wires.

Domestic wire transfers are typically used for sending money domestically and may settle the same day. International transfers often go through an intermediary bank, incur additional fees, and are subject to foreign currency conversion.

Examples of electronic transfers around the world:

• SWIFT: Global messaging system used for international wires across 200+ countries.

• ACH payments: Primarily US-based, ideal for routine bill payments and tax refunds.

• SEPA: Used across the Eurozone for low-cost, euro-denominated payments.

• FPS: Enables near-instant domestic wire payments within the UK.

SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication)

SWIFT is the leading platform for international wire transfers, used by over 11,000 financial institutions in more than 200 countries. It provides a secure global messaging network for transmitting payment instructions. In its 2023 annual review, SWIFT reported handling over 11.9 billion secure FIN messages, with 89% of payments reaching recipient banks within an hour.

Key features of SWIFT:

• Extensive global reach, connecting banks worldwide

• Highly secure and reliable infrastructure

• Supports a wide range of currencies and transaction types

• Enables payments to countries not covered by regional payment systems

ACH (Automated Clearing House)

ACH transfers are electronic bank-to-bank transactions processed through the Automated Clearing House network. It’s mostly used in the United States, and although ACH can also facilitate cross-border payments, its reach and speed may be more limited compared to SWIFT. According to Nacha, international ACH payments totaled $248.36 billion in 2023.

Key features of ACH:

• Cost-effective, making them ideal for routine, high-volume transactions

• Domestic ACH transfers typically take 1–2 business days, while international ACH can take longer

• Secure and governed by strict regulations

SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area)

SEPA is the European Union's payment integration initiative. It provides seamless electronic euro-denominated credit transfers and direct debits across participating European countries. By mid-February 2024, SEPA credit transfer transactions totaled 42,579.72 million, and SEPA direct debits amounted to 21,635.42 million. In the Euro area, non-cash payments in the second half of 2022 increased by 8.8% to 65.9 billion, with the total value rising by 2.8% to €118.8 trillion.

Key features of SEPA:

• Enables fast, low-cost euro payments within the SEPA region*

• Standardized payment formats and processes

• Supports both individual and business transactions and is useful for businesses operating extensively in the Eurozone

*The SEPA region comprises the 27 European Union (EU) member states and four non-EU countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) adopting the euro as their currency. These countries collectively form the SEPA zone, where standardized euro payments can be sent and received.

FPS (Faster Payments Service)

FPS is a UK-based real-time electronic payment system that provides near-instant domestic money transfers between participating bank accounts.

Key features of FPS

• Enables fast, secure, and convenient domestic payments in the UK

• Transactions are typically completed within seconds

• Supports various payment types, including single immediate payments and standing orders

How long does a wire transfer take?

Global wire transfers usually take 1 to 8 business days to reach their destination. The table below highlights the average time spent on a wire transfer by region or country.

How safe and secure are wire transfers?

Wire transfers are one of the safest and most secure methods of transferring money, with key factors contributing to their safety and security:

Encryption and security protocols

Payment service providers and banks employ robust encryption techniques and stringent security protocols to send financial data securely during wire transfers. Technologies include Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption to safeguard payment information from unauthorized access or interception.

Identity verification

The payment service provider verifies the identity of the sender and the recipient to prevent unauthorized transactions. Verification methods include Know Your Customer procedures, which require customers to provide information to confirm their authenticity and the purpose of the wire transfer.

Regulatory oversight

National government agencies, like the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in the United States, monitor wire transfers to detect and prevent fraud, money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit activities, combating financial crimes effectively.

Irreversibility

Once you complete a wire transfer, it’s irreversible, providing a level of certainty for you and your recipient. This feature reduces the risk of payment disputes.

What are the benefits of wire transfers?

Wire transfers offer significant advantages to global eCommerce businesses due to their speed, security, and reliability in facilitating cross-border transactions.

Wire transfers are fast

Wire transfers are incredibly fast compared to other methods. Domestic transfers are completed within hours, and international transfers take one to three business days. This speed is crucial for businesses needing to make urgent payments.

Wire transfers are reliable

Once initiated and authorized, wire transfers are almost guaranteed to reach the recipient, provided all information is correct. This reliability makes them ideal for significant business transactions.

Wire transfers have a global reach

Whether paying an international supplier or receiving payments from overseas clients, wire transfers facilitate seamless global commerce, enabling your business to operate globally.

Are wire transfers expensive?

Wire transfers often incur high costs due to hefty transfer fees and large markups on foreign currency exchanges. These expenses can add up quickly, especially for businesses that frequently conduct international transactions. 

Costly wire transfer fees

Bank wire transfer fees tend to be high for several reasons inherent in the traditional banking system.

Processing wire transfers requires significant operational costs to maintain sophisticated technology, adhere to strict security protocols, and employ trained staff to handle these transactions manually.

Wire transfers also incur fees from the financial institutions involved in the process. International transfers, where multiple banks might be involved, may incur more fees.

On top of that, there are administrative costs involved in maintaining regulatory compliance requirements such as anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations that require thorough customer verification.

All of these operational and administrative costs add up, making wire transfers — through quick and efficient — also costly.

How much are domestic wire transfer fees?

• In the US, domestic wire transfer fees for businesses typically range from $25 to $50 per transaction.

• In the UK, domestic wire transfer fees are around £15-£25 per transfer.

• In the EU, domestic SEPA wire transfers within the Eurozone typically cost around €0-€10 per transfer. However, additional charges may apply if the beneficiary or corresponding bank charges them, impacting the amount you send and the recipient receives.

How much are international wire transfer fees?

International wire transfers are costlier, ranging from $35-$50 per transaction.

• In the UK, international wire transfer fees can be between £20 to £40.

• In the EU, non-SEPA international wire transfers can cost up to £40.

Individuals and businesses also incur costs when they receive wire transfers, with fees ranging from $10 to $20 per transaction.

Poor foreign exchange rates

Bank wire transfers often offer less competitive foreign exchange rates due to traditional banking practices. That’s because traditional banks need to cover the operational cost of maintaining currency trading desks and complying with regulations, creating higher overhead costs.

Banks may also factor in a profit margin in their exchange rates to generate revenue from currency conversions. The lack of transparency in forex rate markups and competitive practices can result in less favorable rates for bank wire transfers compared to those offered by specialized financial service providers.

On average, bank exchange rates can have a markup of up to 3% to 6% above the mid-market rate. For example, if you’re paying a supplier in the UK €500,000, a 5% markup on the exchange rate could cost you an extra €25,000.

How to navigate costly wire transfer fees and rates

To mitigate the financial drawbacks of cross-border payments like those seen in wire transfers here, consider partnering with a modern payment provider that delivers competitive and transparent pricing. Certain providers have flexible foreign exchange (FX) solutions, giving businesses like yours greater control over how they obtain FX rates, execute transactions, and manage FX risk.

Access to real-time or locked-in competitive exchange rates can help eliminate inflated markups and ensure a more favorable currency conversion. This ultimately enables your business to save on transaction costs effectively.

What banks and fintech providers deliver money wiring services?

There’s a wide range of banking and fintech providers to choose from when wiring money. In the table below, you’ll find a comparison of the wire transfer fees, exchange rates, and payout coverage of several global banks and fintech companies.

Fees are current as of 15 July 2024. For current fees, check our fee schedule.

Manage global payments and FX rates with Airwallex

Airwallex is our powerful payment solution suite that helps you programmatically manage currency risk and fees. With fast and reliable delivery, our global payment infrastructure allows you to pay partners, suppliers, and employees in more than 200 countries and 60 currencies at market-leading rates.

Our features include:

Multi-currency accounts

• Hold funds in more than 60 currencies and make payments in the local currency of your suppliers and employees.

• Avoid unnecessary currency conversions and associated fees with like-for-like currency settlements.

Interbank FX rates

• Access market-leading foreign exchange rates, which are often better than those offered by traditional banks.

• Eliminate hidden fees and markups on currency conversions.

Fast international transfers

• Receive payments in as little as one business day.

• Avoid delays and late fees associated with slower bank transfers.

You can also simplify your workflows with batch transfers, customizable approval processes, and seamless accounting integrations.

Find out more about Airwallex's international money transfers.

FAQs

What's the difference between a bank transfer and wire transfer?

All wire payments are bank transfers, but not all bank transfers are wires. ACH payments, for example, are slower and lower-cost for domestic use.

Can I use Western Union for electronic transfers?

Yes, Western Union is often used for physical money transfers, especially where online banking access is limited. However, they may charge fees and offer weaker exchange rates.

How do local bank holidays affect transfers?

Wire transfers may be delayed by local bank holidays in the destination country. Planning around these ensures timely delivery.

Can I receive tax refunds or make bill payments by wire?

Some governments support tax refunds via ACH or direct deposit. Bill payments may be made via ACH, but international wires are better suited for global vendors.

How do I make sure the recipient's bank receives the transfer?

Ensure the account number and swift code are correct. Mistakes may lead to rejection or delays by intermediary banks or other financial institutions.