Different Ways to Send Money to a Bank Account in 2024

How to send money to a bank account domestically

Most bank transfers can be made online. If you prefer, you may be able to start a transfer in person at your local branch, or over the phone. You can transfer money to a bank account via:

• ACH bank transfer

• Domestic wire transfer

• Debit or credit card

• Payment app

• Check

• Money order

• Cash deposit

ACH bank transfer

Banks in the US have traditionally charged for making an external transfer to another bank account by ACH payment. These days, fees are low, and sometimes banks will make ACH transfers free of charge. They are quite a slow method, usually taking three to five business days to process, so you may find it more useful to make a wire transfer or send money using a payment app.

ACH payments are processed electronically, so there’s no need to visit a bank to make one. They’re generally split into two types, an ACH debit payment and an ACH credit payment.

How to make an ACH debit payment

ACH debits, also called ‘pull’ payments, allow you to authorize an organization to automatically take an agreed amount of money from your bank account. Payments like these are often used for recurring external transfers, like regular bills, like a mortgage, rent, or utilities.

How to make an ACH credit payment

ACH credit payments, sometimes called ‘push’ payments, are bank transfers that need your recipient’s bank details to complete. These payments are most often used to pay bills, send money to friends and family, or make donations to charity.

Domestic wire transfer

Wire transfers are quicker than ACH transfers, but considerably more expensive. Fees average around $25 for sending a domestic bank wire, and you may also need to pay a fee for receiving a transfer by bank wire. Receiving a bank wire can sometimes cost up to $15.

If you’re looking for a cheaper way of sending money from one bank account to another, you may be better off using a payment app.

How to make a domestic wire transfer

You can make a domestic wire transfer directly at your bank, online through your bank, or using a specialist transfer provider. While bank wires are always one of the more expensive ways to transfer money to a bank account, transfer providers like Wise and XE offer cheaper wires than most banks.

Debit or credit card

In some cases, you can transfer money directly to a bank account using your debit or credit card. You can do this by using a specialist money transfer provider, or by using a mobile app like PayPal, Xoom, or Venmo.

Debit cards are often a relatively cheap way of sending money to someone else’s bank account. Credit cards on the other hand are quite expensive.

How to send money using a debit or credit card

In some cases, you’ll need to deposit money into your account with your card before you can transfer money. This is the case with apps like PayPal. With most transfer providers, you’ll need to state how you’d like to pay when you enter the payment details.

The exact method for sending money using a debit or credit card will depend on the method you choose, but generally:

Payment app

Payment apps are some of the easiest, fastest ways to transfer money to a bank account. One of the most well-known is Zelle. If your recipient is enrolled, and their bank uses Zelle to transfer money, you can use it to make instant transfers directly to their bank account.

You can also use other money transfer apps like PayPal, Xoom, or various other specialist transfer apps to send money to someone else’s bank account. The process is largely the same.

How to send money using a payment app

Some payment apps need you to deposit money into your in-app account before you can send it to a bank account. These apps usually process email money transfers. Others, like Zelle, allow you to transfer money directly from your connected bank account to another. Here’s how you can send money to a bank account using an app like Zelle:

Check

Electronic transfers are quicker and often more convenient, but you can still make payments via paper check. Checks often rely on the postal service to be delivered on time, but they’re much more secure than sending cash in the post.

One advantage of checks is that they’re relatively easy to cancel. It’s a good idea to keep in touch with your recipient by other means, like phone or email, to make sure they’ve received your payment and they can cash your check. If they haven’t received it within a week, it might be a good idea to cancel your check and send another to make sure it gets to the correct person.

How to send money by check

To write a check, you’ll need a checkbook.

Money order

Money orders are a useful alternative to checks. They’re easier to track, and can be replaced for a fee if they’re lost or stolen. You’ll need to go to a specialist money order company to buy and complete one. They’ll then send it to your recipient.

Money orders can only be sent for a maximum of $1,000, so they’re less useful if you’d like to send large amounts of money.

How to send a domestic money order

A money order is purchased for a prepaid amount and used as a payment method. They’re more flexible than checks as they never go out of date.

Cash deposit

Some banks allow you to make a cash deposit in your recipient’s branch, but others don’t. For example, Wells Fargo does not allow any cash deposits to be made in person by anyone other than the named account holder.

However, a more convenient way to transfer cash is with a money transfer provider. Transfer services like Instarem, Western Union, and WorldRemit can transfer money to someone via cash deposit, which they can then pick up and deposit in their bank account.

How to send a cash deposit to someone

If your recipient’s bank account is local to you, you may be able to make a cash deposit with the bank in person. Otherwise, it’s best to use a money transfer provider.

How to send money to an overseas bank account

There are various ways you can transfer money to bank accounts around the world: by visiting the bank, sending money online, or over the phone.

If you choose to send money directly from your bank account to an overseas bank account through internet banking, you need to follow the steps below. While the exact process may vary depending on the bank you are sending money from, some basic steps remain the same.

Depending on the financial institution you are sending money from, you may need to visit the branch in person to make an overseas transfer. You will need to provide your identification, bank account details, and the recipient’s details.

You can even use cell phone banking to make an international bank transfer which is helpful for those who do not wish to use online banking or visit a branch. In some cases, you can contact your bank branch and request assistance with the transfer.

In this case, you will need to have your bank information and answers to your security questions handy, in order to verify your identity.

How do international bank transfers work?

International bank transfers are made using the SWIFT network. This network permits the transference of money from your bank account to another bank account in another corner of the world.

Whenever someone makes an international transfer request, it is processed at the initiating bank and then sent to one or more banks within the overlapping SWIFT networks, until it reaches the destination bank account.

Each international bank transfer may involve 1 - 3 intermediary or correspondent banks. These banks act as links that connect to the recipient’s bank. Your money transfer instructions pass through these banks on the way to the destination bank account. Each of the intermediary banks may levy a fee, which is deducted from the transfer amount, reducing the final of the funds received.

It must be noted that although there are other services like CHIPS and Fedwire, SWIFT is the most widely used network owing to its huge membership and robust coding system.

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Refunds

Getting a refund on your transfer can be difficult. A refund will not always be possible, and if it is, will usually take up around 5 - 10 business days to complete, but it all depends on your provider.

The difficulty of refunds is one of the main reasons why it’s so important to check the details of your transfer before sending any money.

Some money transfer providers, like Wise, allow you to cancel your transfer within 30 minutes of making it. This allows you to claim a full refund.

Fees

Sending money to a domestic bank account is quite cheap, usually free. But, this depends on your payment method. Credit card payments and wire transfers can be quite expensive.

International transfers are altogether different. Usually, sending money to a bank account overseas via bank transfer with your local branch is very expensive. Your bank will usually only be able to send money internationally by wire transfer, which is more expensive than most other methods.

Fixed fees

There are often fixed fees for international wire transfers, ranging from $20 to $50. There is a fee for both ingoing and outgoing bank transfers; for example, Bank of America and Citibank charge between $35 and $45, Chase charges $40 to $50 and US Bank charges $50 per international bank transfer.

Exchange rate markups

Most banks will add a markup to the exchange rate when you exchange money with them. These are considered ‘hidden fees’, as they’re rarely labeled openly. It’s a good idea to check the mid market exchange rate before you send any money to make sure you’re getting a good deal. You can use our currency converter to check in advance.

Avoiding fees

If you’d like to transfer funds overseas to a bank account, you may find a better deal with a money transfer provider. They offer lower fees and better exchange rates than most high street banks, and can often send your money faster as well.

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Things to consider

Before transferring any money, it’s important to consider the following:

Alternative ways to transfer money

Sending money directly from one bank to another isn’t the only way you can transfer money. You can also use:

• Money transfer providers

• P2P payment apps

• Money orders

• A cash deposit

In most cases, these options can also be used for a bank to bank transfer.

Sending money to a bank account - there’s more ways than one

Sending money between bank accounts is one of the most common ways of making payments. But you don’t need to stick with the slow ACH bank transfers or the expensive wire transfers.

These days, money transfer providers and P2P payment apps are considerably cheaper, faster, and better ways of sending money. They can be used in their own right, or they can be used to transfer money between bank accounts easily and efficiently.

FAQs

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