All You Need to Know About Wire Transfer Fees
Wire transfers are a way to quickly and conveniently send and receive money, both domestically and internationally. Maybe you want to securely send some cash as a security deposit to a landlord across town ASAP. Or perhaps you need to pay for a painting you bought at an auction overseas. Either way, a wire transfer may be a good option.
However, there are often wire transfer fees in exchange for their speed and convenience. The cost to send and receive money via wire transfer varies, but international wires are usually costlier than domestic wires.
However, with the right steps, you can reduce or even eliminate the fees you’ll pay using wire transfers.
Key Points
• Wire transfers provide a fast and secure method for sending money both domestically and internationally, with same-day processing available for many domestic transactions.
• Fees for wire transfers vary significantly; domestic transfers typically cost between $0 to $35, while international transfers can range from $35 to $50 or more.
• International wire transfers are generally more expensive than domestic ones due to additional processing steps, currency conversion fees, and the involvement of third-party institutions.
• To avoid wire transfer fees, consider sending money in the recipient’s local currency, using digital platforms that offer lower fees, or seeking banks that waive such fees.
• Alternative methods for sending money without high fees include using payment apps, bank transfers (ACH), or cashier’s checks, each with its own processing times and conditions.
What Are Wire Transfer Fees?
A wire transfer is an electronic funds transfer between financial institutions. Wire transfers can be faster than bank transfers, with same-day processing possible for most domestic wires. Wire transfers can occur domestically or internationally, but most banks charge fees both for sending and receiving funds in this way.
In addition to speed, another reason to use wire transfers is when sending money internationally, as a regular bank transfer isn’t possible in this situation. But international wire transfers can have higher wire transfer fees than domestic wires, and there might be more steps involved. For instance, the transaction might have been processed by the foreign country’s system and also possibly involve a currency conversion.
Recommended: ACH vs. Check: What Are the Differences?
Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.
No account or overdraft fees. No minimum balance.
Up to 4.00% APY on savings balances.
Up to 2-day-early paycheck.
Up to $2M of additional FDIC insurance.
How Much Do Wire Transfer Fees Cost?
As mentioned earlier, how much wire transfer fees cost can vary. Some financial firms waive wire transfer fees in certain situations, and others waive them entirely. When sending and receiving international wires, there can be a fee of $50 or more for each transaction
Typically, you might expect the following fees:
• For domestic wire transfers, outgoing fees usually range from $0 to $35; incoming fees can range from $0 to $15.
• For international wire transfers, outgoing fees can often range from $35 to $50; incoming fees are likely to be between $0 and $16.
Wire Fees by Financial Institution
Below is a list of wire transfer fees for large banks in the United States. However, third parties may be involved that charge additional fees, especially for international wires.
| Bank | Incoming domestic | Outgoing Domestic | Incoming international | Outgoing international |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of America | $15 | $30 | $16 | $45 or $0 when sent in foreign currency |
| Capital One | Up to $15 | Up to $30 | Up to $15 | $40-$50 |
| Chase | $0-$15 | $25-$35 | $0-$15 | $0-$50 |
| Citi | Up to $15 | Up to $25 | Up to $15 | Up to $35 |
| Fidelity | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| PNC | $15 | $25-$30 | $15 | $40-$45 |
| TD Bank | $15 | $30 | $15 | $50/td> |
| USAA | $0 | $20 | $0 | $45 |
| U.S. Bank | $20 | $30 | $25 | $50 |
| Wells Fargo | $15 | $30 | $16 | $45 |
Do International Fees Cost More Than Domestic?
On average, international wire transfer fees are higher than domestic ones. But as is often the case, averages don’t tell the whole story. Some financial institutions don’t impose wire transfer fees, even for international transactions.
Still, it’s important to remember that there may be extra fees when dealing with international wire transfers. For instance, there may be a currency conversion fee when sending money between two countries that use different currencies. When sending or receiving money internationally, you’ll need information like an international bank account number (IBAN) or a SWIFT code to move the funds to the right account. Overall, it’s a somewhat more complex transaction than a domestic one.
Why Do Banks Charge Wire Transfer Fees?
Banks charge wire transfer fees because of the work that goes into processing wire transfers. For instance, wire transfers are processed individually as they are received. This differs from automated clearinghouse (ACH) transfers, which are processed in batches.
You also pay a premium for the faster processing speed. Domestic wire transfers can sometimes be completed within a few hours and are usually processed the same day. International wire transfers can be completed within one to two business days.
Another reason banks charge wire transfer fees is their higher transaction limits. Wire transfer limits are usually much higher than bank transfer limits, so they can be worth using if you must send a large amount in a single transaction.
Lastly, the international reach of wire transfers can lead to higher fees. For instance, when large amounts of foreign currency are exchanged, banks charge what is known as a midmarket, or interbank, exchange rate. The bank will often charge a higher markup if that currency must be converted. This results in higher wire transfer fees.
Recommended: How to Earn More Interest on Your Money
Tips to Avoid Wire Transaction Fees
While wire transfer fees are common, they aren’t always a given. Here are some ideas about how to avoid wire transfer fees in some situations:
• Send money in foreign currency. For outbound international wires, it can be smart to send money in the currency used by the foreign company, if possible. In this scenario, some banks waive wire transaction fees since no currency conversion is necessary.
• Do it yourself digitally. Some financial institutions allow you to initiate a wire transfer using their website or app, and doing so may reduce the fees or even eliminate them.
• Look for firms that don’t charge wire transfer fees. Some banks and nonbank providers waive wire transfer fees in some cases, or they don’t charge them at all.
• Open an account with no wire transaction fees. Shop around: Some of the most popular banks offer accounts that let you wire money with no transaction fees.
Alternative Ways to Send and Receive Money
Some methods of sending money may allow you to reduce or eliminate transaction fees. You can do so by using one of the following methods to conduct the transfer:
• Use a payment app. Payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, and PayPal generally let you send money electronically to friends and relatives without paying a fee. However, sending money to those who are not “friends and family” may incur fees.
• Send money with a bank transfer. A bank transfer, or ACH transfer, might be preferable if you send money domestically. In 2022, the same-day transfer limit was increased to $1 million, enabling large funds transfers in a single day.
However, note that limits on single transactions might be lower, and there might be ACH fees.
• Use a cashier’s check. A cashier’s check is an alternative to wire transfers because it can be suitable for large transactions. This type of check draws the funds from the bank’s reserves rather than your account. However, the check must be delivered to you, so this method can take longer than a wire transfer. In addition, there might still be fees involved.
The Takeaway
Wire transfers can be a quick, secure way to send money domestically or internationally. These transfers have several benefits, such as shorter processing times and larger transaction limits than ACH transfers. But wire transfers can also have significant transaction fees, especially when dealing with international transfers.
If you prefer to avoid costly wire transfer fees, look for firms that don’t charge them or offer accounts that don’t charge for wire transfers. You can also consider alternative methods of sending money, like using a payment app or sending a cashier’s check.
If you’re looking for other ways to save on your banking costs, consider opening an online bank account. With SoFi Checking and Savings, for instance, you won’t pay any account fees, and your money will earn a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), both of which can help your cash grow faster. You’ll also spend and save in one convenient place, have a suite of tools (like Vaults and Roundups) that can amp up your savings, and, for qualifying accounts with direct deposit, you can get paycheck access up to two days early.
FAQ
Do you pay a fee to receive a wire transfer?
It depends, but most banks do charge a fee for income wire transfers. However, the fee for incoming wires is usually considerably less (maybe 50% lower) than the fee for outgoing wires.
Why are wire transfers so expensive?
Wiring money can be expensive for several reasons, such as their shorter processing times and higher transaction limits than bank transfers. Also, international wire transfers have more processing steps, which can increase their cost.
Do all banks charge wire transfer fees?
The majority of banks charge wire transfer fees in at least some situations. Some waive them in certain situations, while nonbank providers are more likely to waive them entirely.
Photo credit: iStock/Ridofranz
SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.
As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.
SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.
SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.
Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.
Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/3/24. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2024 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
SOBK1222027
