How can I track my wire transfer status?

Asked by: Winfield Botsford  |  Last update: February 20, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (5 votes)

When you send a wire transfer, you'll receive a Federal Reference number, or fed number, that confirms the transaction¹. If you're worried about your payment, you can contact the sending bank and request a trace on the wire transfer using the reference number¹.

Can I trace a wire transfer online?

Utilise online banking: If you have online banking access, log in to your account and navigate to the section for wire transfers. Check for any tracking features or options available. Some banks provide real-time tracking updates for international wire transfers.

How to check progress of wire transfer?

Here's how to track your transfer effectively:
  1. Obtain your transaction reference number: This unique identifier is assigned to your transfer.
  2. Log into your online banking platform or money transfer app: Most services have a designated section for tracking transfers.

How long does it take for a wire transfer to be confirmed?

Domestic wire transfer: Due to EFAA regulations, most bank-to-bank wire transfers between accounts in the US are completed within 24 hours. Some banks make wired funds available to recipients immediately, especially on transfers between accounts at the same institution.

What's the longest a wire transfer can take?

If transfers occur between accounts at the same financial institution, they can take less than 24 hours. Wire transfers via a non-bank money transfer service may happen within minutes. If you're sending money to another country, however, it may take as many as five days for the recipient to receive their funds.

Track Your Wire Payments

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What if my wire transfer is not showing up?

Double-check the transfer details: Review all the information you provided for the transfer. Even a small error in the account number, routing number, or recipient name can delay your transfer. Contact your bank: If the details are correct and your wire transfer is lost, reach out to your bank.

What happens if money is transferred but not received?

If money is transferred but not received, the sender should contact the bank or service used to initiate the transfer to track the transaction. They can also contact the recipient's bank to inquire if the funds have been received.

Why is my wire transfer taking so long?

Sometimes, wire transfers can take longer. This can be down to human error (for example, a mistake when filling in the form), public holidays or location. However, when you consider large checks or deposits can take as long as 10 days, it's clear why domestic wire transfers are so widely used.

How long does it take for a $30,000 check to clear?

Generally, it takes two to five business days to get all the funds from a check into your account. However, some factors might hold up the check-clearing process, like the status of your account or the place where you deposited the check.

What is the average wait time for a wire transfer?

While domestic wire transfers can be completed within one business day, international transfers typically take one to five business days, and they can take longer depending on a variety of factors. In rare cases, a perfectly executed transfer can reach the recipient within a single business day.

How to trace a bank transaction?

If a payment hasn't appeared within three days, contact your bank or perform an ACH trace number lookup to pinpoint the transaction's status. Banks can trace the funds by reviewing the transaction date, amount, and trace number, ensuring the transferred funds reach their intended destination.

Will I be notified of a wire transfer?

The recipient will be notified when the funds are available, so will need to check their account regularly. In-store wire transfer services will provide a tracking number, which the sender will relay to the recipient. The sender can use this number to monitor the transfer progress if they have set up an online account.

How to track a transaction using reference number?

1) Bank's Net Banking Portal
  1. Sign in to your bank's net banking portal using your credentials.
  2. Browse to the “funds transfer” section.
  3. Choose NEFT and then “transaction status”
  4. Input the NEFT reference number to check the transaction status.

What happens if a wire transfer doesn't go through?

If the bank initiated the transfer, notify the bank immediately so that it can investigate your claim. If you first contact the bank by phone, it is a good practice to follow up in writing. If you wired the funds through a third party (e.g., Western Union), contact that party to find out what their procedures are.

How to check if someone transferred money into your account?

Check your bank account balance: Log in to your online banking platform or check your account statement to see if the funds have been deposited. The balance should reflect the transferred amount. 2. Look for transaction details: Review your transaction history or statement to find the incoming transfer.

Do banks report incoming wire transfers?

What is the law regarding wire transfers and the IRS? Under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) of 1970, financial institutions are required to report certain transactions to the IRS. This includes wire transfers over $10,000, which are subject to reporting under the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (31 U.S.C.

How long can a bank hold a wire transfer?

Most banks will advise 24 to 72 hours before funds land and are available. This means that if you send funds 9am EST on Monday to Germany, those funds may not be available until 9am EST Wednesday (local time). Some countries may take longer to process wire transfers than others.

Can I withdraw $20,000 from a bank?

Often, banks will let you withdraw up to $20,000 per day in person (where they can confirm your identity). Daily withdrawal limits at ATMs tend to be much lower, generally ranging from $300 to $1,000.

What is the longest a bank can hold a check?

The Federal Reserve says that a "reasonable" extended hold generally means one additional business day (total of two business days) for a bank's own checks and five additional business days (total of seven) for most other checks.

Is there a way to track a wire transfer?

When you send a wire transfer, you'll receive a Federal Reference number, or fed number, that confirms the transaction¹. If you're worried about your payment, you can contact the sending bank and request a trace on the wire transfer using the reference number¹.

How do I know if my wire transfer is successful?

To check if your bank has received a wire transfer, you can follow these steps:
  1. Online Banking: Log into your bank's online banking platform or mobile app. ...
  2. Transaction Notifications: If you have notifications set up, you might receive an alert via email or text message when a wire transfer is credited to your account.

Why isn't my wire transfer showing up?

The receiving bank is still processing the money

But some banks are slower than others — they might take up to 1 working day for them to release the money. So your money's safely on its way, but the recipient bank is still processing it. Your recipient can ask their bank to speed this up.

What if I sent someone money but they haven't received it?

If you have set up a payment but the recipient has not received it or you think it may have gone to the wrong account: You would firstly need to identify where the payment has gone to. If you know the recipient you can contact them and arrange to have the funds returned.

What happens if a transaction is not processed?

While in the Not Processed state, credit card transactions will show a Gateway Result of Successful Transaction and direct debit transactions will show a Gateway Result of On Hold. Cardholders may see a pending transaction on their bank statement, but this will fall off when the transaction fails to settle.

What delays money transfer?

Why bank transfers might be delayed
  • Weekends and holidays.
  • Paperwork errors.
  • Differences in time zones.
  • Missed bank cut-off times.