IBAN USA: What bank details are needed to make a transfer?

You need to send money to the United States and are wondering what bank details are required? In Europe, we always talk about IBAN, but is it the same in the USA?

So, does the United States use IBAN numbers for making a transfer to an American account? What information should you provide to your bank? And above all, which method should you choose to transfer money without breaking the bank on fees?

In the meantime, you should know that there is a simple solution: Wise. With a Wise account, you can send money to 140+ countries, including the United States, and have the advantage to get USD local account details to make sending or receiving money easier.

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IBAN USA format: What do you need to make a transfer to the United States?

The first instinct, when you want to send money to the United States, is to look for the United States IBAN or American bank details. But if you find yourself asking, do US bank accounts have an IBAN, you will quickly realize that the American banking system works differently from that of Ireland and most European countries. Indeed, the IBAN code doesn’t exist in the USA.

To make a transfer to an American bank account, you will need the following information:

• ABA Number (Routing Number): each American account is associated with a 9-digit ABA number. It’s usually found on checks.
• Account Number (ACCT): this is the equivalent of the IBAN number structure used in Europe. It generally contains 17 digits and precisely identifies the beneficiary's account.
• SWIFT/BIC code of the bank: this is the international identification code for the American bank. It is essential for international transfers.

In practice, to send or receive money to an American account, you just need to ask the recipient for this information (or provide yours), rather than searching the web for an USA IBAN.

USA IBAN: How to get yours from Ireland?

It’s possible, but might not be so easy, for an Irish person to obtain account details in the United States in order to send or receive money.

As a person living in Ireland, you can try to open an account in an American bank. The bank then would provide the necessary information (ABA, account number, and SWIFT). Or you can find a bank in Ireland that offers account information for the US.

But be careful, however: some banks can often apply high fees and apply a mark on the exchange rate, which makes transfers more expensive.

If you are looking for another option you can open a Wise account online and get your own USD account information to send and receive money like a local. The Wise account also allows you to hold 40+ currencies and offers local account details in 8+ different currencies. Wise converts the money (when necessary) at the mid-market rate (the same you usually see on Google), with low and transparent fees.

Sending money to the USA: The main methods available

There are different options to consider when making a money transfer to the United States from Ireland or an EU country.

Here are the most commonly used methods:

• Bank transfers: sending money to the USA via a bank transfer from an Irish bank is possible, provided you supply all the bank information for the beneficiary's American account. However, when selecting this option check what you have been offered, as some banks can apply high fees and a marked-up exchange rate (a hidden cost).
• Online banks: some online banks offer to make international transfers to the United States. But not all are created equal. Some can still charge high transfer fees and use a marked-up conversion rate, which increases the total cost of the operation. It is therefore recommended to compare several offers before choosing.
• Specialized online money transfer providers: finally, it’s possible to use services specializing in international transfers, like Wise. These providers allow you to send money to the USA easily, using a better or the mid-market rate and fair fees. In general, they are among the most competitive in terms of costs and timeframes.

Good practice: Before finalizing any international money transfer, it’s crucial to always check the current exchange rate beforehand and confirm the exact amount your recipient will actually receive.
Because rates fluctuate constantly and some providers can add hidden markups, you should use a trusted online currency converter to check how the exchange rate you were offered compares with the mid-market rate (a fair baseline exchange rate banks use to trade with one another).

Comparing this benchmark against the rate your transfer service offers ensures you can spot any hidden fees, avoid unfair conversions, and guarantee that the maximum amount of money safely reaches your recipient.

Wise: Get USD account details and send money to the United States easily

Making transfers to Uncle Sam's country has never been easier thanks to Wise. Indeed, creating a Wise account means having the possibility to easily obtain American dollar account numbers to send and receive USD transfers without needing to do an international transaction.

Furthermore, it’s possible to send money to 140+ countries with currency conversions at the mid-market rate.

Ultimately, Wise is a practical, reliable, and secure solution for receiving and sending money to the USA without having to live there. And after you open your account, you can benefit from other features and products, like the Wise debit card.

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FAQ: American account details

What are the fees for making a transfer to the USA?

The fees to consider when transferring money to the USA depend on the bank or payment solution you use. Generally, some banks rely on a marked-up rate and take expensive commissions on each exchange operation. So that’s why you should always compare the deal you’re getting beforehand.

What currency should be sent to an American bank account?

The currency of the USA is the USD (US Dollar). This is the currency you will send when making a transfer to an American bank account. You must anticipate exchange fees if you make the transfer from a currency other than the USD and commissions on the transfer operation that vary from one bank to another.

Which American banks can you make a transfer to?

In practice, all American banks accept international transfers. The most well-known are, for example, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Citibank, or Wells Fargo. However, each institution applies its own fee schedule and its own timeframes for incoming transfers.