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International wire transfers: What banks really charge in the US
Certain banks may make international wire transfers inconvenient by requiring customers to visit a branch instead of utilizing online or telephone services.
Additionally, there are fees involved.
To avoid these challenges, it's important to conduct thorough research, and this article is here to assist you.
We'll also introduce Wise — your international money transfer alternative. Use Wise to send stress-free transfers to over 140 countries - all at the standard mid-market exchange rate.
What should I look for in a bank when I’m sending an international money transfer?
When picking a bank for your international money transfers, here are a few things to consider.
Transfer methods
Check if the bank lets you send money online, through an app, or over the phone. Some banks may still ask you to make a trip to the branch, which can be a hassle, especially if you're not in the country.
Speed
Different banks have different delivery times for international transfers. Make sure the bank you choose fits your timeline.
Transfer limits
Find out if there's a maximum or minimum amount you can send abroad. This is important, especially for larger sums of money.
Cancellation/recall policy
Take a look at the bank's rules for cancelling or recalling a transfer. Sometimes, there might be fees involved, so it's good to know the details.
Customer support
What kind of support does the bank offer? It's reassuring to have a bank that's just a phone call away or available for a quick chat online, especially if something goes wrong.
Security
Check out the bank's security measures, especially if you use online banking. Do they have things like two-factor authentication (2FA) to keep your account safe? Also, think about backup options for situations where you can't receive text messages while abroad.
Cost
Keep an eye on the fees. Most US banks charge a flat fee for international transfers, but there might be other costs too, like penalties for providing incorrect details. Also, watch out for the exchange rate they offer, as it can impact how much money you actually get in the end.
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How much do banks charge for international wire transfers?
The real answer to this is ‘it depends’. But there are four broad categories of fees that usually end up being charged for international wires. The big table below has the specific figures, but here’s a quick overview of what sorts of fees there are.
Bank Sending Fee
When you send money internationally, your bank will typically charge a flat fee. The amount may vary depending on whether you do it online or at a branch.
Exchange Rate Markups
Banks have the freedom to set their own exchange rates when converting your money. These rates are often marked up, meaning you receive slightly less money than the mid-market rate.
It's worth comparing your bank's rate to sources like Google or Wise's currency converter.
Correspondent Bank Fees
International transfers may involve intermediary banks through the SWIFT network, known as correspondent banks. These banks can charge fees, potentially slowing down the transfer process and reducing the final amount received. Discuss with your recipient and check with your bank to understand who bears these fees.
Recipient Bank Fees
The recipient's bank may charge fees for receiving the transferred funds. These fees are beyond the control of your bank. It's helpful to communicate with your recipient to identify the bank account with the lowest receiving fees.
Wise: An alternative to costly international wires
With Wise, you can send secure and trackable large amount transfers to 140+ countries worldwide with transparent fees and the fair mid-market exchange rate.
Have a look at the main benefits for using Wise to send large transfers:
- Dedicated support for large transfers
- Fast and easy setup with no physical paperwork
- Upfront, transparent fees
- Fully trackable transfers
- Fast transfer times
- Two-factor authentication and real-time notifications
See how much you can save with Wise:
Which bank is best for international wire transfers?
If you’d still like to try banks, in this segment, we’ll review the total cost of an international transfer in the US.
To make things easier, the following fees are all to make the same transfer: $1000 sent to Germany.
All the fees are for an imagined transfer of that amount, to that destination. Many banks have different fees depending on whether you choose to send the money abroad in US dollars or the receiving currency (which would be euros in this case) - all the figures in the table assume the transfer is made in dollars.
The figures are all correct at the time of writing, but are subject to change. Here are the 17 best banks that accept international wire transfers:
| Provider | Fee for $1000 to Germany | Exchange rate |
|---|---|---|
| Bank of America² | $45 (Note: BofA charges no wire transfer fee for international wires sent in foreign currency (exchange rate markups apply) | exchange rate + likely markup |
| BECU³ | $35 | exchange rate + likely markup |
| Capital One⁴ | $50 | exchange rate + likely markup |
| Chase Bank⁵ | $50 with assistance from Chase, $40 online in USD, or $5 online in foreign currency (waived for transfers of $5,000+) | exchange rate + likely markup |
| Citibank US⁶ | Varies depending on account type: Varies depending on account type: $25-35, or free for Citigold and Citi Private Bank accounts. Citibank Global Transfers are also free. | exchange rate + likely markup |
| Citizens Bank⁷ | $40 | exchange rate + likely markup |
| DCU⁸ | $50 | exchange rate + likely markup |
| HSBC USA¹⁰ | None | exchange rate + likely markup |
| Navy Federal¹² | $25 | exchange rate + likely markup |
| PNC Bank¹³ | $45 (may vary by location) | exchange rate + likely markup |
| Regions Bank¹⁴ | $45 | exchange rate + likely markup |
| Santander USA¹⁵ | $40 | exchange rate + likely markup |
| TD Bank USA¹⁶ | $50 | exchange rate + likely markup |
| Truist¹⁷ | $65 (teammate-assisted) - online wire fee may differ | exchange rate + likely markup |
| US Bank¹⁸ | $50 | exchange rate + likely markup |
| USAA Bank¹⁹ | $20 | exchange rate + likely markup |
| Wells Fargo²⁰ | From $25.00 (fees may be waived if funded from an eligible account type) | exchange rate + likely markup |
So, if you’d like to use your bank to send your international money transfer, there is what 18 of them will charge you - although, because of the ever-changing exchange rate, which each bank may well set for itself, the precise cost of each of these transfers is impossible to say.
For greater clarity and lower fees, Wise may be the perfect solution. So take a look, and see if Wise could save you money.
| Some key benefits of Wise Business include: |
|---|
|
Sources:
- Wise
- Bank of America - wire transfer
- BECU - Consumer account disclosure - Page 2
- Capital One - Send and receive a wire transfer
- Chase - Fee Schedule - Page 13
- Citi - Online Wire Transfer Services
- Citizens Bank - What is a wire transfer?
- DCU - Schedule of Fees and Service Charges - Page 1
- HSBC - Wire transfers
- Navy Federal - Schedule of fees and charges - Page 1
- PNC Bank - Consumer schedule of service charges and fees - Page 3
- Regions - Pricing schedule - Page 5
- Santander Bank - What are the Fees for Wire Transfers?
- TD Bank - Personal Fee Schedule - Page 1
- Truist - Personal Deposit Accounts Fee Schedule - Page 8
- US Bank - Consumer pricing information - Page 5
- USAA - Send a domestic wire
- Wells Fargo - Ways to send money
All sources checked on 30 March 2026
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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