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Discover Bank® International Transfers & Exchange Rates

April Summers
Author 
April Summers
9 minutes
April 24th, 2024

As an online-only financial institution, Discover qualifies for the neobank category of modern banking. A neobank is an entirely digital banking experience that does not operate physical branches, removing the need for customers to make appear in-person. Find out more about Discover and its range of overseas finance services in our full review of the bank.

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About Discover Bank®

When Sears, Roebuck & Co. still offered financial services in the mid-1980s, the Discover card was introduced. The Greenwood Trust Co., Sears' bank, was renamed Discover Bank in 2000. Greenwood, Delaware is the company's headquarters.

Discover has risen to become one of the country's leading credit cardproviders. It offers CDs, checking and money market accounts, as well as a high-yield savings account, as a retail bank.

Consumers who want to manage their credit cards and bank accounts in one location can choose Discover Bank. If you want more bank branches or higher-yielding deposit accounts, you'd be better off banking somewhere else.

Discover Bank® Exchange Rates and Fees

Discover has a 0% foreign transaction fee on its cards, and there are no additional feesfor using the card internationally.

Exchange Rate

International wire transfers are often made through the SWIFT system, which means your money will transit through 1-3 intermediate banks before arriving at its final destination. In most circumstances, the transfer amount will be converted from your home currency to the receiving bank's currency by an intermediary or the beneficiary's bank.

Unfortunately, because you are not their client, those banks have no commitment to you, which frequently translates to passing on an unfair exchange rate that is often marked up to approximately 5% above the mid-market rate. As a result, they often make an extra profit while you are completely unaware that you have lost money.

This means that Discover isn't usually the one to charge you for the currency rate on an overseas wire transfer.

Transfer Fees

Discover charges $30 every outbound international transfer, regardless of whether it is local or international. At least on Discover's end, incoming transfers are free. Intermediary bank fees, on the other hand, are a different issue.

In addition to changing your currency at a low exchange rate, each intermediary bank that handles your transfer is authorized to impose a fixed fee, usually between $20 and $50, which is deducted from the total value of the transfer.

Additional Costs

There are also a number of extra costs associated with holding a Discover card. There is no annual fee on any of Discover's cards, but there may be extra fees, such as those listed below, as with any credit card. However, these are subject to change, so double-check your card's details.

  • APR. The APRs on Discover cards vary depending on the one you pick. Several offer 0% APR for a limited time. The rate then ranges from 11.99 to 22.99%.

  • Fee for transferring balances. This is 5% of the total.

  • Charge for Cash Advance. The larger of $10 or 5% of the total amount will be charged.

  • Late fee. It goes up to $40 after the initial free trial.

  • Returned payment fee. The amount is up to $40.4.

How Do Discover Bank® Transfer Fees Compare to Using Other Money Transfer Providers?

There is a lot of research that goes into transferring money internationally. The majority of people's first choiceis to go to their bank and wire money to another country. But this is not the best option. There are money transfer providers which offer more cost-effective way to send money overseas, regardless of where you bank. If you're a Discover Bank member, keep reading to learn about all of your international transfer choices.

Unlike traditional banks, private money transfer companiesavoidthe expensive SWIFT system entirely and transfermoney between local bank accounts, avoiding the dreaded and frequently unexpected intermediate bank fees. Not only that, they also offercheaper upfront costs as well as the most competitive exchange rate every single time.

Discover Bank® Pros and Cons

Discover Bank, like all other online banks, has its own benefits and drawbacks.

  • 1% cash back on up to $3,000 per month of debit card purchases. Cash back on credit cards is fairly common, but Discover stands out by offering a 1% cash-back bonus on all purchases made with your debit card, up to $3,000 each month. You may make up to $360 each year if you work hard enough.
  • No monthly fees, overdraft fees or minimum balances. There are no fees with Discover Bank's checking account, including no monthly minimum fees or fees for insufficient funds. You won't be charged for returned products, and you won't be charged if you terminate your account.
  • 60,000+ fee-free ATMs. In the United States, the Discover debit card is accepted at 415,000 ATMs. Account holders can use any of the 60,000 ATMs in the Allpoint and MoneyPass networks for free withdrawals. If you use an ATM outside of these networks, you may be charged a fee by the third-party ATM owner. Discover, on the other hand, never charges a fee for using an ATM.

How to Open an Account and Transfer Money With Discover Bank®

The procedure of opening an online bank account is simple and straightforward. You may establish an account online in minutes, whether you're a current Discover customer (cardholder, loan borrower) or a new one.

Opening an Account

You can't establish an account with Discover at a physical branch because it's basicallyan online bank. Instead, you must create an online account. The Step-by-Step Guide is as follows:

  • Go to the bank's website, select the Discover account type you wish to establish, and then click "Open an Account."

  • Please provide your contact information as well as any other pertinent information, such as your Social Security number.

  • Make a deposit into the account. This can be done now or later.

  • Confirmation and next steps will be sent to you through email.

Transferring Money

You can request a wire transfer via the Account Center or by printing, filling out, and submitting the paper form. You may submit your Wire Transfer Request Form in one of the following ways once you've finished it:

  • Secure Document Upload should be used to submit the form.

  • Fax the completed form to 1-224-813-5213 with the subject line "Wire Transfer Request."

  • Mail the form to Discover Bank, PO Box 30417, Salt Lake City, UT 84130

You may also use Zelle, a money transfer app that is linked into the Discover Bank online banking system, to send money using your Discover Bank account. It's a good alternative to a standard wire transfer because it's free for most customers (depending on the recipient's bank). Again, the ability to execute a transfer via Zelle or any other money transfer app is dependent on the recipient's bank, the amount being sent, and the location of the bank.

Customer Service Details for Users of Discover Bank®

If you want more assistance, contact 111-331-331 or 111-331-332 to reach Meezan Bank Customer Service, and for additional information, email [email protected] or call +92 (21) 38103500 or +92 (21) 37133500.

Can I Use Discover Bank® for International Bank Transfers?

Yes. To make an overseas transfer, you'll typically need the recipient's name, bank name, account number, and pickup information. It may be feasible to conduct a wire transfer using Discover Bank itself if both the sender and the recipient choose it. Alternatively, you might use a third-party money transfer provider. There are usually always costs associated with both incoming and outgoing international and domestic transactions.

Summary

Discover Bank is most known for its rewards credit cards, but that's only a tiny component of the company's operations. It's a payment services company as well as a full-service online bank. Individuals can use Discover for banking and retirement planning. Discover is a lender as well, offering personal, student, and home equity loans.

Discover Online Banking, on the other hand, offers only the most basic bank accounts: checking, savings, certificates of deposit, and money market accounts. Aside from that, there are a few IRA account alternatives. You might be better off going elsewhere if you're looking for a financial institution that offers a comprehensive range of products and services (such as credit cards, mortgages, personal loans, and wealth management).

Similarly, Discover Online Banking is probably not for you if you like to do your banking in person. The company's customer service representatives are kind and knowledgeable, but it's not the same as building a relationship with employees at a physical branch.

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Contributors

April Summers
April Summers is an experienced Senior Financial Content Editor who combines a wide range of professional skills with her academic background in English literature and journalism. Her professional background includes key positions at the Daily Star, LBB Online, and Entertainment Daily UK, which have sharpened her financial and journalistic expertise.