How long do wire transfers take to post

The time it takes to complete a transfer depends on the type of transfer and the circumstances surrounding it.

Different types of transfers include the following:

  • Individual transfers
  • Collective transfers
  • Standing orders
  • Direct debits

SEPA Transfer

The Single Euro Payments Area, or SEPA, is an initiative to make it easy for people to make transfers in euros. This standardization reduced the previous bureaucratic burden on banks conducting transfers between private accounts, and sped up the processing time. For paperless transfers in euros, it usually takes one or two working days, according to EU payment guidelines. For transfers in foreign currencies, it takes up to four working days.

Make transfers in foreign currencies easily using Wise built into the N26 app.

Paperless and non-paperless transfers

Transfers used to be conducted using pre-printed forms at a physical bank location. Transfers using N26 today are made exclusively online because it’s faster and simpler.

  • Paperless transfers between two accounts at the same bank are posted immediately, so it will be received during the next automatic posting run.
  • Paperless transfers between two accounts at different banks may take one working day.
  • Non-paperless transfers in euros may take two working days, while it may take up to four working days if it’s in a foreign currency.

Note

Saturdays, Sundays, and bank holidays are not counted as working days. If you conduct a transfer on a Friday afternoon via online banking, it will only arrive at the recipient on the following Monday.

Express transfers?

It used to be possible to make an express transfer to take a transfer out of the regular posting run and have a bank employee post it manually. It cost €10 to €20 extra depending on the bank, and it guaranteed that it would be in the recipient’s account on the same day, provided it was requested before 2pm.

Today, it’s unnecessary to attempt an express transfer unless you’re making a transfer to a foreign currency since transfers in euros are generally posted on the same day anyway.

FAQ

How to make a bank transfer ? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

There are several ways of making a bank transfer: at a bank counter, in writing (mail or fax) or online. This latter is the most convenient as the transfer can be issued at any time and from anywhere. Whatever method you choose for a bank transfer you most provide some essential information, such as the amount of the transfer and the beneficiary's IBAN number, as well as the possible date of execution of the bank transfer.

How long does a bank transfer take?

The processing time of a bank transfer depends both on the type of transfer (individual bank transfer, collective transfer, standing order, direct debit) and on the characteristics of the transfer (date of issue of the transfer, the banks involved, etc.) . Computerized transfers between two accounts of the same bank are made immediately. Computerized transfers between two accounts at different banks can take up to one business day. Some banks also offer instant transfers, a service they'll usually charged between 0.5 and 1 euro.

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If you’ve ever sent an international payment, you’ve probably wondered about international bank transfer times. Businesses increasingly rely on cross-border transactions and need payments to go through as quickly as possible, while consumers are used to having their demands fulfilled instantly.

How long do international bank transfers take? Unfortunately, there isn’t a definitive answer, although we can give you a good indication. Find out everything you need to know about international bank transfer times, starting with how international wire transfers actually work.

Alternatively, see here to find out how long bank transfers take within the UK.

How does an international wire transfer work?

In most cases, international bank payments are actioned through the SWIFT network – a secure messaging system that banks use to send information. When you send an international bank transfer, banks will use the SWIFT network to ensure that your payment reaches its destination. However, it won’t always get there directly. Some payments go through intermediaries – also known as corresponding banks – almost like taking a series of connecting flights to arrive at your destination. It’s also worth mentioning that the SWIFT network doesn’t actually move your money, just your payment order.

How long do international bank transfers take?

Generally speaking, international bank transfers will arrive within one to five working days. Let’s explore what this looks like.

To send an international payment, you simply need to gather all the necessary information (IBAN number, BIC/SWIFT number, recipient’s banking details, etc.) and submit them to your bank, whether that’s in person or via an online banking app. In most cases, international bank transfers can only be processed on business days, provided that they are requested before the cut-off time, which varies from bank to bank.

Assuming you make your international transfer request before the bank’s cut-off time, it should be processed on the same day. If not, it will almost certainly be processed on the following business day. Once the transfer has been processed, the funds will usually be deducted from the sender’s account. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it will arrive with the recipient at the same time. As stated above, international bank transfers will generally arrive within one to five working days.

How to take payment from European customers.

How to take payment from European customers.

Taking payments from customers in a European country has traditionally been a confusing affair. With different payment habits, country-specific terminology and 24 different languages to operate in, you might find it rather daunting when expanding your business across Europe.

What factors are most likely to slow international bank transfer times?

Although you’d assume that international bank transfer times would be instantaneous, particularly given the rise of online banking, they can be delayed for a number of reasons:

Fraud prevention

One of the main reasons for delays to international wire transfers are the fraud prevention processes and procedures put in place by banks. The SWIFT network requires transfers to pass through up to three correspondent banks before arriving at their destination. Then, once the funds have actually arrived, processing time at the recipient’s bank could delay payment even further.

Incorrect payment details

Another factor that can have a big effect on international bank transfer times is erroneous payment details. Payments can be sent back if any of your beneficiary’s information is incorrect, so before you make a payment, double check the name of your recipient, the name of their bank, their account number, their IBAN number, and their SWIFT/BIC code.

Bank holidays and weekends

Sometimes, slow international payments are caused by something as prosaic as bank holidays and weekends. Put simply, if the bank is closed, then your payment can’t be processed. If you’re making a payment that needs to be sent as soon as possible, check whether there’s a bank holiday in your recipient’s country beforehand. It’s also a good idea to send your payment at the start of the week, so that it has time to arrive and go through processing before the weekend.

Different currencies

Currency conversion can be another drag on international bank transfer times. If your payment needs to be received in a different currency to the one it was sent, processing times can be lengthened.

Different time zones

It might be midday in London, but it’s the middle of the night in Los Angeles. If you want to make sure your international bank transfer goes through as quickly as possible, you should try to send it during business hours in your recipient’s country.

We can help

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Are wire transfer funds available immediately?

Most domestic transfers are processed on the same day, and international transfers are typically completed within a few days (depends on country). You need to move large amounts of money. Though limits vary based on the money transfer provider, they tend to be high.

What time of day do wire transfers post?

5:00 p.m. ET for same-business-day (wire) transfer. Funds will be received by the recipient's bank on the same business day. 5:00 p.m. ET for international wire transfer. Sending customer will be informed when the funds will be available to the recipient at the time the transfer is scheduled.