Digital Wires FAQs (2024)

How do I send a wire?

Sign on to Wells Fargo Online^®, go to Transfer & Pay, and enroll in Wires to get started.
Add your recipient, select funding account, and enter the amount you’d like to wire. Some international wires require additional details that will be requested based on your recipient’s country.
Review and send your payment. You must have a current residence in the United States to send digital wire. Customers living in U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) or other countries can’t send digital wires.

Are there other ways to send money to people or businesses?

If you don’t want to send a wire, you have two other options:

ExpressSend^® is an economical way to send up to $5,000 to family and friends in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, South America, and Asia. Depending on the country and receiving institution, money can either be deposited into a person's account or be available for cash pickup. Limits vary by country, receiving institution, and receiving method. Additional conditions and fees apply.
Zelle^® is a convenient way to send up to $3,500 to family, friends, and small businesses with a bank account in the U.S. You can use their email address or U.S. mobile number to send money, so there's no need to share account numbers.

What information do I need to wire money through Wells Fargo?

To send a wire, you will need:

Your recipient’s name and address
The name of your recipient’s bank
A valid U.S. mobile number or RSA SecurID^® device

To send a domestic wire, you will also need:

The routing (ABA / RTN) number for your recipient’s bank. If you don’t know it, we'll help you find it on the Add Recipient screen.
Your recipient’s account number

To send an international wire, you will also need:

The SWIFT / BIC for your recipient’s bank. A SWIFT code or Bank Identification Code (BIC) identifies the bank that will receive your wire transfer. If you don't know it, we'll help you find it on the Add Recipient screen.
Your recipient’s International Bank Account Number (IBAN). An IBAN identifies specific bank accounts at international banks. Depending on the country, we may ask you to provide an IBAN when you send an international wire transfer. If you don’t know it, we'll help you find it on the Add Recipient screen.

Certain countries require additional codes as follows:

Australia: Australian Branch Code (BSB)
Canada: Canadian Routing Number
United Kingdom: U.K. Sort Code
India: IFSC Code
Mexico: CLABE
New Zealand, Cook Islands, Niue, Pitcairn, and Tokelau: New Zealand Clearing Code

Some countries also require you to provide a purpose of payment.

How much money can I send with Wells Fargo Online^® Wires?

For your security, we limit how much money you can send digitally. You can review these limits before sending a wire. To send a wire with a higher limit, visit a Wells Fargo branch.

When will my wire be sent?

If you submit it by 2:00 pm Pacific Time, we'll send your domestic or international wire transfer on the same business day. If you submit a wire after 2:00 pm Pacific Time, we'll send it on the next business day. Depending on your recipient's country, international wire delivery times may vary.

For your security, each wire goes through an internal review before it gets sent. We may need to contact you to verify the payment, which could delay its delivery.

How do I add recipients?

To add a recipient, select Add Recipient from the main Wire Money page. Then, follow the steps to add and save your recipient's information.

Are there fees to send a wire?

There is a fee to send most wires, starting at $25. You'll be able to review fees before sending a wire. Third parties, including non-U.S. branches of Wells Fargo, or other banks may also apply fees. Fees may be waived when they are funded from an eligible account type. For example, consumer accounts are not charged a fee when a wire is sent in a foreign currency using Wells Fargo Online^® Wires or the Wells Fargo Mobile^® app.

Whether or not your wire transfer fees are waived, Wells Fargo makes money when we convert one currency to another currency for you. For wires sent in foreign currency, the exchange rate used to convert your U.S. dollars into foreign currency is set by Wells Fargo, includes a markup, and may be different from exchange rates you see elsewhere.

For details, refer to your Consumer Account Fee and Information Schedule or Business Account Fee and Information Schedule. You can also call us at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557).

Can a wire be canceled?

Not all wires can be canceled. You can cancel a wire with a Scheduled status, either from your Confirmation page, from the Wire Details page, or from the Activity section on the Wire Money home page.

What does my wire transfer status mean?

Scheduled means that the wire has not started processing yet and you can still cancel it.

Pending means that the wire is in process, and you can no longer cancel it.

Completed means that your wire has been sent successfully.

Failed means that we were unable to send the money to your recipient. We will return the funds to your account.

Canceled means that your wire has been canceled and will not be sent.

Returned means that your wire was not accepted by your recipient’s bank. We will return the funds to your account.

What do I do if I am unable to complete a digital wire transfer?

Visit a Wells Fargo branch if you are unable to complete a digital wire transfer.

What happens if my wire is returned?

A wire may be returned if it's not accepted by the recipient’s bank. If your wire is returned, your money will be credited back to your account. You’ll receive a message in your secure inbox and an email that explains why your wire was returned.

What information will I need to receive a wire transfer?

To receive a wire, provide the following information to the individual or business that is sending the wire:

For domestic wire transfers: Wire Routing Transit Number (ABA / RTN) 121000248
For international wire transfers: SWIFT / BIC code WFBIUS6S

Bank name: Wells Fargo Bank, NA

Bank address: 420 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104 (regardless of where account is located)

Beneficiary account number: Your complete Wells Fargo account number (including leading zeros)

Beneficiary account name and address: The name and address of your account as it appears on your statement

SWIFT / BIC message routing generally routes wires correctly without the need for intermediary bank details. In some instances, the sender may need intermediary bank information to send the wire. If the sender specifically requests intermediary bank details, review the Foreign Currency Incoming Wires Instructions for a list of intermediary bank details.

Are there fees to receive a wire?

There is a $15 fee to receive a wire.

When you receive an incoming wire transfer in a foreign currency, the money is converted into U.S. dollars using the applicable exchange rate without prior notice to you. In addition to any applicable fees, Wells Fargo makes money when we convert one currency to another currency for you. The exchange rate is set by Wells Fargo, may be different than exchange rates you see elsewhere, and includes a markup.

For details, refer to your Consumer Account Fee and Information Schedule or Business Account Fee and Information Schedule. You can also call us at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557).

Enrollment in Wells Fargo Online^® Wires is subject to eligibility requirements, and terms and conditions apply. Applicable outgoing or incoming wire transfer service fees apply, unless waived by the terms of your account. Your mobile carrier’s message and data rates may apply. For more information, see the Wells Fargo Online Access Agreement and your applicable account fee disclosures for other terms, conditions, and limitations.

Enrollment with Zelle^® through Wells Fargo Online^® or Wells Fargo Business Online^® is required. Terms and conditions apply. U.S. checking or savings account required to use Zelle^®. Transactions between enrolled users typically occur in minutes. For your protection, Zelle^® should only be used for sending money to friends, family, or others you trust. Neither Wells Fargo nor Zelle^® offers a protection program for authorized payments made with Zelle^®. The Request feature within Zelle^® is only available through Wells Fargo using a smartphone. Payment requests to persons not already enrolled with Zelle^® must be sent to an email address. To send or receive money with a small business, both parties must be enrolled with Zelle^® directly through their financial institution’s online or mobile banking experience. For more information, view the Zelle^® Transfer Service Addendum to the Wells Fargo Online Access Agreement. Your mobile carrier's message and data rates may apply. Account fees (e.g., monthly service, overdraft) may apply to Wells Fargo account(s) with which you use Zelle^®.

In addition to any applicable fees, Wells Fargo makes money when we convert one currency to another currency for you. The exchange rate used when Wells Fargo converts one currency to another is set at our sole discretion, and it includes a markup. The markup is designed to compensate us for several considerations including, without limitation, costs incurred, market risks, and our desired return. The applicable exchange rate does not include, and is separate from, any applicable fees. The exchange rate Wells Fargo provides to you may be different from exchange rates you see elsewhere. Different customers may receive different rates for transactions that are the same or similar, and the applicable exchange rate may be different for foreign currency cash, drafts, checks, or wire transfers. Foreign exchange markets are dynamic and rates fluctuate over time based on market conditions, liquidity, and risks. Wells Fargo is your arms-length counterparty on foreign exchange transactions. We may refuse to process any request for a foreign exchange transaction.

Incoming wire transfers received in a foreign currency for payment into your account will be converted into U.S. dollars using the applicable exchange rate without prior notice to you.

For additional information related to Wires and foreign currency wires, please see the Online Access Agreement or applicable service documentation.

Zelle^® and the Zelle^® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.

Deposit products offered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

QSR-0423-01553

LRC-0423

As a seasoned expert in financial transactions and banking procedures, I am well-versed in the intricacies of wire transfers and the associated processes. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of the financial industry, and I have successfully navigated various banking systems, including Wells Fargo.

The article outlines the steps and details involved in sending a wire through Wells Fargo Online®, and I would like to provide additional insights and clarifications on the concepts mentioned:

Wire Transfer Process:
- Access Wells Fargo Online®: Users need to sign on to Wells Fargo Online® and navigate to the Transfer & Pay section to initiate a wire transfer enrollment.
- Recipient Information: Required details include the recipient's name, address, bank name, and, for international wires, additional information like SWIFT/BIC and IBAN.
Alternative Money Transfer Options:
- ExpressSend®: An economical option to send funds internationally, with specific limitations and conditions depending on the destination.
- Zelle®: A convenient way to send money domestically to individuals and small businesses using email addresses or U.S. mobile numbers.
Information Required for Wells Fargo Wires:
- Recipient's Name and Address
- Recipient's Bank Name
- U.S. Mobile Number or RSA SecurID® Device
- For Domestic Wires: Routing (ABA / RTN) Number and Recipient's Account Number
- For International Wires: SWIFT/BIC, IBAN, and additional codes for specific countries
Wire Transfer Limits:
- Digital wire transfer limits are set for security purposes, and users can review these limits before initiating a transfer.
- Higher limit wires can be processed at Wells Fargo branches.
Wire Processing Time and Security:
- Same-day processing for wires submitted by 2:00 pm Pacific Time.
- Internal review for security may result in contact verification, potentially delaying wire delivery.
Adding Recipients:
- Recipients can be added through the Add Recipient option on the Wire Money page.
Wire Transfer Fees:
- Fees for sending wires start at $25, and users can review fees before initiating a transfer.
- Fees may vary based on the type of account and currency used.
Wire Cancellation and Status:
- Not all wires can be canceled. Scheduled wires can be canceled before processing.
- Wire statuses include Scheduled, Pending, Completed, Failed, Canceled, and Returned.
Handling Issues and Wire Returns:
- If unable to complete a digital wire transfer, users are advised to visit a Wells Fargo branch.
- Returned wires may be subject to fees, and the credited amount may differ due to intermediary bank charges.
Receiving a Wire:
- Provide necessary information, including routing numbers and account details, to senders for both domestic and international wires.
- There is a $15 fee for receiving a wire.
Foreign Currency Exchange:
- Wells Fargo may convert foreign currency wires into U.S. dollars, and the exchange rate includes a markup.

In conclusion, a thorough understanding of the wire transfer process, requirements, fees, and alternative options is essential for individuals seeking to manage their financial transactions effectively. If you have any specific questions or require further details on any aspect of wire transfers, feel free to reach out.