How to make a large wire transfer with USAA

USAA doesn't publish specific USAA wire transfer limits, which means they can likely accommodate whatever amount you need to send.

The 10,000 USD threshold isn't a limit. It's just the point at which you need to call the bank to process your outgoing wire transfer.¹

USAA does this for security reasons. This way, they can verify your identity, confirm the legitimacy of the transaction, and protect your account from fraud.

How to make a large transfer with USAA

For wire transfers over 10,000 USD, you'll need to call USAA at 800-531-8722. They're available Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4 pm Central Time.¹

When you call, a representative will ask you questions about the transfer to verify its legitimacy, such as the purpose of the payment, who you're sending money to, and where your funds originated. You may need to provide documents, such as contracts or invoices, to verify your explanation.

Once the representative confirms that everything checks out, they'll process your wire transfer. Here’s what you’ll need:

For very large transfers, you may need to provide additional documents, especially for international wires. The bank representative will let you know during your call if they need anything else from you.

Send high amount, low cost international transfers with Wise

A smart option if you’re sending money overseas: meet Wise.

Over 70% of Wise payments arrive instantly* — and all Wise transfers are deposited directly into your recipient's bank account for convenience.

No ongoing fees, no hidden charges and no hassle — just fast, transparent international transfers that can beat the banks.

🚀Get started with high amount transfers

*Transaction speed claimed depends on funds availability, approval by Wise’s proprietary verification system and systems availability of our partners’ banking system, and may not be available for all transactions.

USAA large transfer fees and charges

USAA charges fees for wire transfers. Here's what you can expect to pay:

For international wire transfers in foreign currency, USAA may also apply a currency exchange rate markup. This is when the bank converts your USD using their own exchange rate, not the mid-market rate you see on Google. USAA makes a profit on this markup.

USAA doesn't explicitly state how much their exchange rate markup is, but if you're sending an international wire in a foreign currency, it's likely included in your transaction. This is separate from the transfer fee.

In general, sending international wire transfers is more expensive than sending domestic wire transfers to external bank accounts.

How long does it take to make a large transfer with USAA?

Once you call USAA and confirm all the details, the bank will process your transfer relatively quickly.

If you submit your domestic wire transfer by 4 pm Central Time on a weekday, USAA will usually process it the same day. Once they do, the receiving bank usually completes the transfer within 1 to 2 business days.¹

USAA's domestic wire offices are closed on weekends and federal holidays, so transfers requested during those times will process on the next business day.

For international wire transfers, the cutoff time is 3:30 pm Central Time, Monday through Friday. However, international wires can take up to 15 calendar days to reach the recipient, which is a pretty long timeline.²

If you need your transfer to get to your international recipient by a certain date, it's better to send it a little in advance. Things like time zone differences and how quickly intermediary banks process the transfer can cause delays.

Is USAA safe for large transfers?

Yes, USAA is safe for sending large amounts of money domestically or abroad. There are many security measures in place, including the mandatory call for transfers over 10,000 USD, to protect your money.¹

However, wire transfers in general are a common target for scammers. A fraudster can impersonate someone you trust, such as a real estate agent or a family member, and send you fake payment instructions with their own bank account information.

Once you send the wire, the money is nearly impossible to recover because wire transfers are final.

This is why it's important to verify wire instructions. When you speak with the USAA representative, they can also ask questions that might reveal red flags, like sudden changes to payment instructions or unusual recipient details.

Overall, always double-check everything before sending a large payment to anyone.

USAA is a solid option for large wire transfers, but you'll need to call the bank if you're sending more than 10,000 USD.¹ This phone call adds an extra step to the process, but it's there for your protection and to help USAA meet banking compliance requirements.

However, the costs for USAA wire transfers can add up, especially for international payments. It's worth researching alternatives before sending a large wire, even if you regularly bank with USAA. You may find better rates elsewhere.

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

🚀 Get started with Wise

Sources

1. USAA - Wire transfers
2. USAA - How to send an international wire transfer from USAA Bank