What is a wire money transfer?
A wire transfer refers to the electronic method of sending funds from one account to another. Unlike a bank transfer, in which money must be sent between two bank accounts, a wire transfer can be sent from a bank account to any account provided by a financial institution, such as Western Union or Wise. Information is exchanged between the two corresponding institutions - this includes recipient name, account details, transfer amount - and then the money is transferred electronically, once the details have been confirmed.
A Guide to Wire TransfersHow do you send a wire transfer?
The process of sending money via wire transfer is easy to navigate and usually goes as follows:
1.Step 1 Decide on a money transfer provider
2.Step 2 Gather all the information you need
3.Step 3 Familiarise yourself with the fine print
4.Step 4 Fill out the wire transfer forms
5.Step 5 Track your wire transfer
How long do wire transfers take?
Typically, wire transfers between accounts in the same country (also known as domestic wire transfer) are completed within 24 hours; some can even take minutes. The rate at which international wire transfers are delivered is slightly slower, however, usually taking anywhere between 1 to 5 working days. In our How Long Does a Wire Transfer Take guide we review the details of different wire transfer delivery speeds, in full.
Why does an international wire transfer take longer than domestic?
International wire transfers are usually conducted via the SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) network. The SWIFT network is a secure messaging system trusted by banks, who have used it to send information such as instructions for international transfers, for almost 50 years.
While the SWIFT network has long been trusted as a way of ensuring payments reach target destinations safely and securely, delays can emerge from the intermediary banks your transfer instructions are delivered by. The involvement of these intermediaries may add a little more time to the delivery process, but once the instructions have been received, the transfer will be executed. Find out about the different factors that could affect the speed of your wire transfer.
Top 3 fastest money transfer providers
| Ranking | Money Transfer Company | Transfer Speed | Get Started |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Wise | 0-2 days | Visit Wise |
| 🥈 | WorldRemit | 2 – 3 days | Visit WorldRemit |
| 🥉 | Xe | 3 – 5 days | Visit Xe |
Which providers offer the fastest wire transfers?
XE
A popular choice for wire transfers - both domestic and international - is financial service provider XE. As a platform, XE is known for being fast and easy to use; the website advertises some money transfers taking only minutes. However, XE note that international wire transfers which involve an exotic global currency can take longer (up to 3 - 5 business days). If you are dealing with an international wire transfer in standard currencies - GBP, EUR, USD, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF - XE is an excellent option, as a speedy and reputable company that promises to only charge one fee for your transfer when using their wire service.
WorldRemit
WorldRemit offers fast, affordable and secure international money transfers to customers all over the world. Wire transfers are easy to set up: simply log into your account or sign up and verify your account online. You will be asked to provide basic information about your wire transfer, such as how much you plan to send and to which country. The recipient’s details will then be requested; this includes full name, account number, bank and branch name etc. This process is quick and easy using the WorldRemit app, which can also be used to view tracking information.
Wise
Wire payments can be made using Wise, either through their website or smartphone app. The company processes payment of an international wire transfer the same way as any other provider, with the added bonus of a guaranteed exchange rate as long as the money reaches Wise before 4:00 pm (EST) the next business day. As a money transfer service, they are known for their transparent fees and speedy service, making them a great option for anyone looking to wire money fast.
Bottom line
The fastest way to wire money is to send money domestically, in the same currency. When it comes to international money transfers, the money wiring process takes longer due to the intermediary banks and currency conversions involved. MoneyTransfers would instead recommend paying for an alternative service, such as those offered by international specialists like Wise and WorldRemit, who both have several options for fast overseas transfers. Read more about the Fastest Ways to Send Money Abroad.
