What is a wire transfer?

A wire transfer moves money directly between banks, without batching or delays, which is why it’s used when timing and payment certainty matter. You don’t use wire transfers for every payment. They usually come into play when amounts are larger, timelines matter, or the recipient requires cleared funds before taking action.

For example, you might wire money to an overseas supplier before production starts, or pay a global partner who releases goods or services only after the payment is confirmed. Once sent, a wire is final and traceable, which is why it’s still widely used for high-value business payments despite higher fees.

How wire transfers are grouped (and why founders care)

In practice, wire transfers fall into two buckets: domestic and international. The distinction matters because the moment money crosses borders, timelines stretch, fees change, and more parties get involved. Treating both the same is where founders usually misjudge cost, speed, and follow-ups.

Here’s what actually changes when you send a domestic wire vs. an international one:

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Pros and cons of a wire transfer

Knowing where wires help and where they quietly create friction lets you choose them deliberately instead of defaulting to them. That judgment matters more as payment volumes grow and small inefficiencies start compounding.

Here’s a quick breakdown of where wire transfers work well and where they don’t:

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Sending a wire transfer: what to do and what you’ll need

Sending a wire isn’t complicated, but it’s irreversible. You enter the recipient details, choose the wire type, and submit the transfer through your bank. What varies across banks is how clearly you can review, confirm, and track the payment once it’s sent.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do a wire transfer:

Step 1: Set up the recipient correctly

Start with the basics like legal business name, bank name, account number, and routing number for domestic wires or SWIFT/BIC details for international ones. This is the step where most issues start, so double-check before moving forward.

Step 2: Choose the wire type

Decide whether this is a domestic or international wire. If it’s cross-border, confirm the currency upfront as changing it later isn’t always an option.

Step 3: Initiate the transfer

Submit the wire through your bank’s online portal or, in some cases, at a branch. At this point, wires don’t come with a casual undo button.

Step 4: Review and approve

Your bank will validate the details and check available funds before releasing the payment. Once it’s approved, the wire is in motion.

Step 5: Track confirmation, not reversals

After the wire is sent, you will be responsible for tracking confirmation. Your bank provides a reference number you can use to follow up until the recipient confirms receipt.

How long does a wire transfer take?

Domestic wire transfers in the US usually settle the same business day if initiated before the bank’s cut-off time. Funds are often credited within a few hours.

International wire transfers take 1 to 3 business days. Timing depends on factors like the destination country, intermediary banks, time zones, and local bank holidays.

If timing matters, submit wires early in the day. Bank cut-off times vary, and missing them usually pushes settlement to the next business day.

What is the cost for a wire transfer?

Wire transfers involve a flat fee that banks charge for sending and sometimes receiving funds.  In the US, domestic wires usually cost $20-$35 to send, while international wires are $30-$50.

Receiving funds can also come with a small charge of around $10- $15, but international wires can carry extra deductions for currency conversion or intermediary banks. The result? The amount that lands in the recipient’s account can be lower than expected if you’re not tracking fees carefully.

How can you save money on wire transfers?

You save money on wire transfers by using a modern business account that reduces hidden fees and simplifies global payments. Wire transfer fees can add up quickly, especially when you’re paying global suppliers, partners, or contractors.

Aspire lets you send and receive multi-currency payments* efficiently, helping reduce hidden fees and simplify global transfers. Incoming wires and SWIFT payments are processed within two to five business days, while local transfers are completed within the same business day, and there’s no limit on transaction size.

This makes your cash flow more predictable and easier to manage.

How safe are wire transfers?

Wire transfers are considered one of the safest ways to move large sums because they run through regulated banking networks with built-in verification at every step. That safety comes from structure, not speed.

Here’s what actually keeps wire transfers secure in practice:

• Verified sender and recipient details: Banks validate account and identity information before releasing a wire. That’s why payments don’t bounce once sent and why confirmation carries real weight.
  
• Final settlement reduces disputes: Once a wire is processed, it can’t be casually reversed. That finality protects both sides in high-value transactions where certainty matters more than flexibility.
  
• Controlled handling of cross-border payments: For international wires, banks apply currency checks and routing controls before funds move across networks. This reduces exposure to misrouting or silent losses during conversion.
  
• Regulatory oversight adds another layer of protection: Large or unusual transfers pass through AML and sanctions screening. In the US, wires over $10,000 are reported under the Bank Secrecy Act, and international wires are checked against OFAC lists. These reviews don’t block normal business activity, but they do raise the bar for misuse.
  

Founder Tip: Before you send a wire, verify the beneficiary details out-of-band, assume it’s final once released, and build in extra time for cross-border routing and bank compliance checks.

Wire transfer alternatives

Wire transfers are reliable, but depending on speed, cost, or flexibility, other options can be faster and more efficient, especially for international or multi-account payments.

• Money transfer services: Companies like Western Union let you move funds directly from your account to someone else’s. They’re quick and simple, but check for fees if you fund payments via a bank wire. Some services may restrict business accounts.
  
• ACH transfers: Commonly used for payroll, refunds, or recurring payments. ACH moves money electronically like a wire, but takes a day or two to clear. The upside? Fees are lower, often free, and it’s ideal for predictable, repeat payments.
  
• Peer-to-peer apps: Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, and Square let you send money fast without full banking details. Great for smaller amounts or frequent transfers, with low or no fees.
  
• Checks and money orders: This traditional method is still used for larger or formal payments. Slower than digital options, but reliable when speed isn’t critical.
  

Conclusion

Wire transfers are solid and reliable, but they’re not always the smartest choice for every situation. Timing, fees, and the scale of your payments matter just as much as the method itself. As your business grows and you start dealing with multiple currencies, cross-border vendors, or remote teams, sticking to the 'usual' approach can quietly eat into your cash flow and slow down operations.

The smart move is to plan ahead. Map out who you’re paying, how often, and how quickly the funds need to arrive. Track costs and explore alternatives that reduce fees or speed up delivery. Modern tools like multi-currency accounts or integrated transfer platforms let you treat payments strategically instead of reactively.

​​Disclosure: AFT US LLC, d/b/a Aspire, is a financial technology company, not a bank. The Deposit Account and banking services are provided by Column N.A., Member FDIC. FDIC deposit insurance covers the failure of an insured depository institution. Deposits in the Deposit Account are FDIC-insured through Column N.A., Member FDIC and Column's Sweep Program Network Banks. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through FDIC insurance to apply

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