US Bank international wire transfer limit [2024]

Alexis Konovodoff

US Bank is the fifth largest banking institution in the US, and account owners can transfer money to 195+ countries and 45+ currencies.¹

But international wire transfers come with certain limits. Read on to learn about US Bank's international wire transfer limit and other important things to keep in mind, such as transfer fees and exchange rates.

🚀 For an easy way to send high amount transfers abroad, use Wise. Send money to over 160 countries — all at the mid market rate with no hidden fees.

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US Bank international wire transfer limits

US Bank doesn't publicly disclose their international wire transfer limits. But no matter what provider you use, there are still a few important things to know about wire transfer international limits in general.

Because of wire regulations, any international wire transfer of 10,000 USD or more must be reported to the IRS.

This doesn't mean you can't send more, just that it'll be on the government's radar. You may also have to provide additional documentation to explain why you need to send a wire transfer.

You don't have to worry about getting in touch with the IRS - your bank will handle it. They'll submit a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

They may also have to report your activity if you're sending multiple international wires under 10,000 USD on the same day or over a short period.

For domestic transfers at US Bank, you can check the wire transfer limit through your online banking. Incoming and outgoing limits will display when you initiate an online or mobile wire transfer.²

How can you check your US Bank transfer limits?

For international wire transfers, you'll need to visit a US Bank branch in person. They'll be able to share the outgoing transfer limits based on your bank account type and other factors.

Keep in mind that you'll only be able to initiate a transfer by visiting a US Bank branch in person. You can't send a wire transfer abroad using online banking or the bank mobile app.²

Business account holders may be able to send an international wire using SinglePoint® Essentials.³

What’s the best way to send money internationally?

Banks are certainly one option for sending money internationally, as are services like PayPal. But the problem with banks is they can often be slow, expensive and inconvenient. Luckily, there’s a better alternative out there.

You can send money worldwide with Wise for low fees and the mid-market exchange rate. It’s easy and quick to set up a payment online, and you’re guaranteed secure transfers even when sending large sums.

Wise is a money service business (MSB) regulated by 12 international financial authorities, and uses sophisticated security features to keep you and your money safe.

Open a Wise account, and you can send, spend and convert between 40+ currencies whenever you need to. You can even receive money from all over the world using your own local account details.

As if all that wasn’t enough, there’s a Wise debit card too. For a one-time fee of just $9, you can spend in over 150 countries in the local currency. Your USD is automatically converted at the mid-market rate, for just a small conversion fee.

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Some key features of Wise Business include:
  • Better visibility and organization of business finances. This is helpful for account reconciliations and audits
  • Major local account details for a simple one-off fee to receive international payments with ease
  • No monthly account fees or minimum balance requirements
  • Receive payments from e-commerce platforms such as Amazon or via Stripe
  • Create invoices using the free Wise invoice generator or invoice templates
  • Accounting integrations, including a QuickBooks Bill Pay connection
  • Batch payment options. Fast payment of up to 1,000 people

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What are US Bank's international transfer fees?

Let's break down the US Bank international wire transfer fee structure:

Account typeIncoming international transferOutgoing international transfer
Consumer/personal25 USD50 USD
Business16 USD75 USD

This is what US Bank charges, but you may also have to cover intermediary and correspondent bank fees.

When you send money abroad, it doesn't always travel directly from your bank to the recipient's bank. Sometimes, it needs to pass through one or more intermediary banks.

These banks charge a fee for their service, which they deduct from the transfer amount. You don't always know these fees upfront because they depend on the route your money takes.

Typically, intermediary bank fees cost anywhere between 15-50 USD.⁵ There can be multiple banks participating in the transaction, and each bank will charge its own fee.

US Bank exchange rate

When you send a wire transfer, in most cases you need to convert one currency to another. This involves an exchange rate, and US Bank makes money off currency exchanges.⁴

For example, if the market rate is 1 USD = 0.90 EUR, US Bank might offer you 1 USD = 0.80 EUR. That difference adds up, especially for large transfers.

US Bank decides on this rate each business day. They consider things like market conditions, risk, and other economic factors. The rate they offer includes their profit, fees, and costs.⁴

Things to keep in mind when transferring high amounts overseas

There are a few things to keep in mind if you need to transfer a large amount of money to another country.

  • Documentation: In addition to the regular information you'll need to send a wire transfer, such as your recipient's account number and the bank's SWIFT code, be prepared to show proof of how you got your funds and why you're transferring them

  • Timing: On average, international wire transfers take 1-5 business days, but large amounts may take longer because of extra security checks⁶

  • Exchange rates: For big amounts, even small differences in exchange rates can make you lose a lot of money

  • Tax implications: You may have additional reporting requirements or tax obligations

  • Security: Be extra vigilant about potential scams or fraud when sending large transfer amounts

If you have any questions about sending a large amount overseas with US Bank, get in touch with customer support or visit your local branch to get accurate US Bank international wire transfer instructions.

US Bank international wire transfer limits FAQs


Can I send US Bank international wire transfers online?

No, you'll need to visit your local branch in person.² You can only use online banking or the mobile app to initiate a wire transfer if you're sending money to a domestic bank account. You must also be a current customer who has had a banking relationship with the US Bank for at least six months.⁷

What is the maximum amount for international wire transfer?

US Bank doesn't publicly disclose their maximum wire transfer international limit. For accurate information, you'll need to visit a US Bank branch or contact their customer service directly.

If you're sending more than 10,000 USD, your bank will have to submit a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

How long does a US Bank wire transfer take?

International wire transfers typically take 1-5 business days to arrive, depending on where you're sending them and how many intermediary banks are involved.⁶

How long your transfer takes also depends on whether you initiate it before the US bank international wire transfer cut-off time. Since you can only send international transfers at the branch, they're likely limited to business hours or cut off in the early afternoon.

How do I increase my US Bank transfer limit?

You'll need to contact US Bank directly to discuss increasing your transfer limit. They’ll likely look at factors like your account history, balance, and why you need a higher limit.

Be ready to show additional documentation on how you obtained the funds and why you need to send a large amount abroad.


You can send an international wire with US Bank, but you can only do it by visiting your local branch.²

The US Bank international wire transfer limit isn't available online, but be aware if you send more than 10,000 USD, the banker will have to submit a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

For a low cost, flexible international bank alternative, use Wise. It's fast and can be done entirely online. Plus, you'll save on exchange rate markups and fees.

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International transfers

Sources

  1. US Bank - Global payments
  2. US Bank - U.S. Bank Wire Reference Guide
  3. US Bank - Wire transfers
  4. US Bank - How much does a wire transfer cost?
  5. Wise - What are SWIFT correspondent fees?
  6. Wise - How long does an international wire transfer take?
  7. US Bank - Wire transfer FAQs

*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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