How to transfer money by bank transfer

Discover how to transfer money online, via our app or in person at an agent location to a loved one’s bank account simply and swiftly with Western Union®.

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    We encrypt your transfers

    We are committed to keeping your data secure

    We’ve sent money around the world for over 150 years

    Transfer money to a bank account your way

    Send online

    Send money to bank accounts around the world. You can save your receiver’s information to make repeat bank transfers quickly and easily.

    Send money now

    Send with the app

    The Western Union® app lets you send money from wherever you are, directly to your receiver’s bank account. You can also start a bank transfer on the app and pay at an agent location.

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    Pay in person

    Make an international bank transfer from the UK in person at our agent locations across the country.

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    How to make a bank transfer

    Register your profile

    To start a money transfer online to a bank account, you’ll need to access your Western Union profile. Start by logging in, or register now for free.

    Choose the amount and destination

    Enter your receiver’s country and the amount you’d like to send.

    Enter your receiver’s bank details

    Choose delivery method and select a receiver or enter a new receiver’s bank account details. You may also need to enter IBAN (International Bank Account Number).

    Pay and send

    Complete your money transfer. We’ll email you the confirmation with a tracking number (MTCN), which you can share with your receiver.

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    Send money in a few taps with our app

    Send money quickly or start a transfer and pay in-store.

    Track your money transfer in real time.

    Send again quickly to friends and family.

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    More information on how to transfer money to a bank account with Western Union

    Get a free estimate

    Receive a free estimate for your currency transfer any time and without an obligation to send money later.

    Get an estimate

    Make a transfer in person at an agent location

    We’re here to help you transfer funds overseas in a way that’s best for your circumstances – with thousands of agent locations in the UK, we’re always close by.

    See our agent locations

    Have your receiver’s details ready

    To start your money transfer – whether online or in person – simply provide your receiver’s account details and their bank code.

    Send money now

    Register to transfer money to a bank account today

    Register

    Save details

    Making repeat transfers is simple with Western Union. Simply save your receiver details for quick access next time.

    Transfers you can rely on

    Our encryption and anti-fraud efforts help protect your transfers, offering you peace of mind.

    Schedule transfers in advance

    Sometimes, you might want to wait until a certain day to transfer money to a bank account online. Western Union makes it easy to schedule your payments in advance.

    Send money online, available for pickup in minutes3

    A global footprint of hundreds of thousands of retail locations. Your recipient can collect their money in minutes3 of it being sent.

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    Relied on by customers around the world

    As a company working in cross-border, cross-currency money movement, Western Union aims to help grow economies and create a better world. You have the capability to transfer money online, with our app or in person to billions of bank accounts worldwide. So, go ahead: discover how easy it is to transfer money with us, send money to loved ones and enjoy a reliable service – plus the other benefits we have to offer.

    We encrypt your transfers

    We are committed to keeping your data secure

    The easy, reliable way to transfer money around the world

    Transfer money to a bank account with our online services, the Western Union app or in person at an agent location, to virtually anywhere in the world quickly and reliably.

    India
    Pakistan
    Philippines
    Jamaica
    Romania
    Zimbabwe
    Choose another country

    Frequently asked questions

    What is a bank transfer?

    A bank transfer is when money is sent from one bank account to another – and how you send the money can vary depending on your chosen method. ‘Bank transfer’ is typically a general term that covers a range of money transfers, including money transfer, online money transfer and more.

    What do you need to transfer money to a bank account?

    Whether you’re sending money via credit1 card to a bank account or using cash at a Western Union agent location, to make an international money transfer you need the following details from your receiver:

    • Full name
    • Country
    • Bank name
    • Bank Account or IBAN (International Bank Account Number)

    How long does a Western Union bank transfer take?

    The transfer time depends on the country you want to transfer money to. In many cases, it is 1-3 business days3. Depending on the country and our partners, your money transfer may even arrive on the same day or take more than 3 days.
    Tip: We will always show you the estimated transfer time for each payment and receiving method and each destination country in the transfer overview.

    How much does it cost to transfer money with Western Union?

    Our transfer fees2 vary depending on the destination country, money transfer amount, and payout method. Use our online price estimator to see how much it could cost to transfer money to your receiver online – including the transfer fees2 and transfer total – with no obligation.

    What is a bank code?

    A bank code is a series of numbers used to identify banks worldwide. Bank codes can range from 3-23 digits, depending on the country and the type of code. A bank code may be known as:

    • BSB
    • SWIFT code
    • BIC (Bank Identification Code)
    • NCC (National Clearing Code)
    • BSC (Bank Sort Code)
    • IFSC (Indian Financial System Code)

    What is a SWIFT/BIC code?

    A SWIFT/BIC is a worldwide code for identifying banks. SWIFT and BIC are sometimes used interchangeably but represent the same thing. These codes are 8-11 digits long and sometimes needed when sending money.

    What is an IBAN?

    An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is used in some countries to identify a customer’s bank account. The IBAN is an alphabetical country code followed by 2 digits and then up to 35 characters for the bank account.

    If you need an IBAN for your bank transfer, you should obtain this from your receiver.

    Have more questions about transferring money to bank accounts?

    Need help sending money or have another question? Contact our Customer Care team or visit our FAQ page for more information.

    See FAQs

    1 Additional third-party charges may apply.

    2 Western Union makes money from currency exchange. Fees and rates subject to change without notice.

    3 Transfer speed and fund availability may be affected by factors such as service choice, amount, destination, currency, regulations, ID requirements, and system availability of our banking partners. Not available for all transactions. See Terms for details.