DCU international wire transfer: Fees, rates and transfer time

Adam Rozsa

DCU (Digital Federal Credit Union) is a regional bank chain based in New England. It operates nationwide, but most of its local branches are spread across Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

In this guide, we’ll run through how to do a wire transfer with DCU, how much it costs and how long it takes.

And so that you can get the best possible deal with wiring money across borders, we’ll also show you an alternative. Send money internationally with Wise and you’ll only pay low fees¹ and always get the mid-market exchange rate.


avoid-big-transfer-costs

Does DCU charge transfer fees?

Wire transfers at DCU aren’t free, unfortunately. There are fees involved, which vary depending on the currency you’re sending. It’s also much more expensive to send an international wire, compared to sending a domestic wire within the US.

DCU domestic wire transfer fees

If you’re sending money within the US, there’s just one fee of $15 USD². However, there may potentially be additional charges by the bank receiving the payment, if the recipient doesn’t agree to pay these.

DCU international wire transfer fees

As we’ve mentioned, it costs a lot more to send an international wire transfer with DCU. Take a look at the table below for the list of DCU wire transfer fees:

TransactionDCU wire transfer fees²
International wire transfer - sent in USD$50 USD
International wire transfer - sent in foreign currency$40 USD

The good news is that it’s free to receive both domestic and international wire transfers into your DCU account.

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Save money on international transfers with a Wise account

When you transfer money from country to country, it’s important to be aware of the fees and exchange rates charged by different financial institutions. Most banks and transfer services charge low up-front fees but add a mark-up to the mid-market exchange rate.

Wise is different. Send money internationally with Wise and you’ll benefit from both low fees¹ and the mid-market exchange rate.

If you regularly make or receive overseas payments, the Wise account is ideal for your needs. It lets you spend, send and convert between 50+ currencies, and manage everything online.

There are no monthly fees or hidden charges, so you’ll know exactly what you’re paying.

Get a Wise account today

How do you make a wire transfer with DCU?

Now, let’s run through how to do a wire transfer from DCU, for both domestic and international payments.

DCU domestic wire

To use DCU to transfer money to another bank within the US, you’ll need to provide the following²:

  • Your full name and email address
  • Your DCU routing number for your wire transfer - this is the account you’re using to fund your payment
  • The name and address of the receiving bank
  • The receiving bank’s 9-digit ABA number
  • The amount you’d like to send
  • The recipient’s full name and address.

The quickest way to send a domestic wire with DCU is via online banking.

Log in to your account, head to ‘Move Money’ and then ‘Wire Transfer’. Select ‘Make a Wire Transfer’² and you’ll be taken into a secured form to submit your request.

DCU international wire

Sending an international wire transfer with DCU is a little different. You can still do it via online banking, following the steps above. You’ll need to provide all the same details, plus the receiving bank’s SWIFT code or International Bank Account Number (IBAN).

DCU advises that international wires have different requirements depending on the country you’re sending to. This means that you may need to ask your recipient for extra details. You should be able to see what’s needed for all destinations within DCU digital banking².

It’s useful to know that the bank doesn’t use SWIFT. So, you won’t need a DCU SWIFT code when arranging to receive an international transfer.

How long does a DCU transfer take?

How long a DCU wire transfer takes depends on whether it's domestic or international. It also depends on whether you submit it before the daily cut-off time. Here’s what you need to know:

Type of wireWire processing time²
Domestic wires
  • Submitted before 2pm
Same business day
  • Submitted after 2pm
Next business day
International wires
  • Submitted before 12pm
Same business day
  • Submitted after 12pm
Next business day

It’s important to note here though that these are just the processing times. It could take much longer for your payment to actually land in your recipient’s bank account, especially for international payments.

How do I deposit money into my DCU account?

Here’s how to transfer money to your DCU account in order to fund your wire transfer:

  • Online check deposit - using your scanner or Android/iPhone wireless device.
  • External transfers - ACH transfers in from your other accounts at DCU or other banks.
  • Recurring Direct Deposit - where your salary or other regular income is automatically paid in.

How do I transfer money from Bank of America to DCU?

If you have a Bank of America account and want to use it to send money to your DCU account, here’s how to do it.

The easiest way is through online banking. You’ll need to log in to your account, and make a transfer from either your checking or savings account (if applicable)³. You’ll need your DCU account details.

A similar process should apply when arranging to transfer money from DCU to Bank of America.

You shouldn’t have to pay any Bank of America to DCU transfer charges, but it’s always worth checking with the bank just in case.

More questions about your DCU transfer?

If you need help or more information about DCU transfers, here’s how to get in touch with the bank:

  • Send a secure message by logging into your DCU online banking.
  • Call 800-328-8797⁴.
  • Use DCU Live Chat on the bank’s website.

Frequently asked questions

Does DCU use Zelle?

At present, DCU doesn’t have any details about Zelle on its website, so it’s likely that it doesn’t offer the service.

Does DCU work with Venmo?

It doesn’t appear as if DCU works with the Venmo digital wallet and mobile payments service currently. However, it does work with⁵:

How do I transfer money to another DCU account?

To use DCU to transfer money to another DCU account, you’ll need to log in to online banking and set up a one-time or recurring payment⁶.


Sources used for this article:

  1. Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing: Only Pay for What You Use for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information.
  2. DCU Support - Money Wires
  3. Bank of America - Electronic Funds Transfers FAQs
  4. DCU - Contact
  5. DCU Support - Mobile Wallets
  6. DCU Support - Internal Transfers

Sources checked on 24-Oct-2022.


*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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