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.
Domestic transfers can take less than 24 hours, but international transfers can take up to 5 days, depending on things like weekends, bank holidays, cut-off times, and the method you use.
Contact your bank: If the details are correct and your wire transfer is lost, reach out to your bank. They can check the status of your transfer and give you more information. Ask for a SWIFT trace (for international transfers): This process tracks your money's path through the international banking system.
While most banks will process funds within 24 hours, it could be a day or two before they arrive in the recipient's account. Most banks will advise 24 to 72 hours before funds land and are available.
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.
Occasionally, there are delays. If the bank sending the funds makes a mistake, a wire transfer may take longer than expected. Holidays can also disrupt wire transfers. Prepare for delays if you're receiving money from a slow-to-pay country such as Afghanistan or Cuba.
If money has debited from your account but the merchant says they didn't receive the credit or refund, contact your bank to file a chargeback. You can file a chargeback on the bank's official website or by visiting the physical bank branch.
You can contact your bank to track your wire transfer, and they'll use your Federal Reference number to trace it. They'll be able to see the transactional details between your bank, the corresponding bank into which funds are being deposited, as well as identify the wire transfer's current location.
Only send money to people or businesses you know and trust. Verify the recipient and double-check their details before initiating the transfer. Make sure the recipient's information is accurate, as even a small error can result in the transfer getting lost or being sent to the wrong account.
Is there a limit on wire transfers? Broadly speaking, you can send as much money as you want in either a domestic or international wire transfer. However, your bank may have its own wire transfer limits on how much you can transfer at once, daily or monthly.
One of the most common reasons why a bank might refuse a wire transfer is that you provided incorrect or out-of-date information. This could be something as simple as inputting one wrong digit in your recipient's routing number or bank account number. Or it could be a misspelling.
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.
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.
If the payment or transfer you have made left your account immediately you will see the transaction in your list of most recent transactions. If you have scheduled a payment or transfer for a date in the future you will be able to check online that it has been created successfully.
Pending transactions can happen when the money needed for the transaction is still moving between accounts, like after using your credit, ATM or debit card to purchase gas at the pump, get cash or add a tip at a restaurant. In a bank account, pending transactions include: Cash, check and direct deposits.
Stuck or failed UPI transactions: Common issues and how to deal with them. UPI failures can be due to wrong PIN, incorrect address, server problems, or connectivity issues. Generate new UPI PIN with debit card details. Contact NPCI if no SMS confirmation, refund, status update, or beneficiary credit.
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.
Contact your bank or payment service provider: Reach out to your bank's customer service or visit the nearest branch (if they have any). Provide them with the transaction details and ask for assistance in tracking the wire transfer. They will have access to the necessary systems and information to help you.
Time zones and working hours
Differences in time zones between sending and receiving countries can significantly impact the processing time of international wire transfers. Banks typically operate during specific business hours, and transfers initiated outside of these hours may experience delays.
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.
Domestic wire transfers in the US usually take less than 24 hours, while international transfers can take 1 to 5 days. However, various factors such as transfer methods, bank cut-off times, and weekends can impact the overall duration.
Why is my bank transfer taking so long? Delays in bank transfers can be caused by factors such as the amount being transferred, bank security checks, or the bank's operational hours when transferring money internationally or during weekends and public holidays.