How to transfer money to someone else’s bank account

How to transfer money to someone else’s bank account

TransferWise

04.16.18 9 minute read

If you’re not sure where to start, or what transfer method will be right for you, this will make the subject short and simple for transferring money within the United States of America.

Ways to transfer money into someone else’s bank account

There are many options for convenient ways to move money. This article will cover your 3 main options in getting money to someone else:

From your bank account to another bank account (domestically or internationally)
Using a service that allows your recipient to withdraw money into their bank account
A manual process where the recipient (or possibly you) can deposit your money into their bank account

Option 1: Send money directly from your bank account to another bank account

Maybe you’ve heard of the many new apps and services that let you transfer money.

PayPal comes to mind but for various reasons I have moved away from working with them. There was a time when you could simply transfer money to anyone even if you did not have a PayPal account. Now you must have an account and that makes them a bit of an inconvenience.

As for transferring money abroad with them, I tried several times, could not understand how to make it work and gave up. PayPal bought XOOM.com and theirs is a good method by which I move money from my bank in Florida to myself when I’m living and working in The Philippines.

The basis of this article was written for TransferWise and they are a good firm allowing you to do business easily this way. I think Transferwise, or bill pay at your bank is the preferred method. www.Transferwise.com

Use a service like TransferWise to send money straight from your bank account to another account, inside or outside the US
Make a domestic wire (pricey, but fast) from your bank
Use your bank’s billpay option (this works for a select list of banks)

Bank-to-bank option 1: TransferWise (domestic or international)

TransferWise started out as a peer-to-peer global money platform connecting people and their money all over the world. Their smart, new technology connected local bank accounts in respective countries, skipping hefty international bank fees, giving users the real exchange rate (the same one you find on Google or XE.com) on their transactions, and helping normal everyday folks save.

Though it started out as an international service, TransferWise has expanded to domestic options with alternatives to traditional banking like the borderless multi-currency account.

You can sign up for the borderless account for free. No monthly charges. You’ll find just small, fair fees when you switch between currencies or send money within the US or abroad.

Once you’re all set up and have finished the verification process, you can activate your borderless account and begin holding a balance in dozens of currencies — sending your money all over the world. Or just inside the US. You can also get the TransferWise multi-currency debit card, which you can use to pay for goods and services all over the world.

If you’re curious, follow this step-by-step guide on sending US dollars within the US using TransferWise or our international money transfers guide on The New York Times.

Pros:

Once you’re set up and holding a balance, you can send money online with a click on your phone or computer.
Money normally arrives the morning of the next business day.
Your recipient doesn’t have to do anything to get the money.
You can pay with your debit card if the amount isn’t too high.
You can send money both internationally and domestically.

Cons:

The first time around you’ll have to go through a verification process with TransferWise, which may take a few business days. But it’s worth the time taken because from then on you’ll have a good tool to use for moving money.
Paying by debit/credit card is a little more expensive than paying by directly debiting your bank account. All credit card companies charge a small fee which is partly an insurance payment. If the sender’s bank doesn’t have the money, or he does the transfer and then withdraws from his account making a problem, the credit card company has the insurance to support this crime/mistake. That’s why there’s a charge.

In my view the TransferWise system is the best if you don’t already have a BillPay service at your bank. Cost and time considered, you’re almost always better off using TransferWise instead of paying your bank for an international wire transfer via the SWIFT transfer system.

If you are uncomfortable using a credit/debit card (understandable these days) the TransferWise system is safer for you and the cost is nothing. Refer to https://transferwise.com/help/17/borderless-account/2949818/how-much-does-it-cost-to-send-money-from-my-borderless-account

Also see https://transferwise.com/help/11/getting-started/2977959/how-do-i-send-money-with-transferwise

If you’re sending money from your balances to another balance with bank details, it’s free.

If you’re sending money from your balances to a bank account outside of TransferWise, we charge a fixed fee. (which as I said is incidental – under $5. And if you’re working with me, NO MATTER HOW YOU TRANSFER FUNDS, I will “refund” your expense by providing additional advertising service equal to or more valuable than what you paid. I guarantee that!

While working on this article I signed up for an account. It took “no time”. Go here to do the same: https://transferwise.com/borderless-account/onboarding/profile/type

I am not a Transfer Wise affiliate and receive no compensation for giving you this information.

Bank-to-bank option 2: Wire (domestic or international) This is the right now, no nonsense way to get the job done, but it will cost more.

If you’ve ever heard someone in a movie say they’ll “wire” money to someone, this option might sound daunting. But it’s actually easier than you’d think.

Domestic wires

In most cases if you’re sending a wire within the US, you’ll just need to gather a few pieces of information from your recipient (name, address, wire routing number, and account number) and then show up at your bank branch in person. As long as your transfer is made by your bank’s cut-off time, the money should arrive to your recipient’s bank account in the same business day. Easy enough.

For most banks, you’ll have to go make a wire in person. If your bank is in another part of town or you have a jam-packed schedule, this can be an issue. Wires are a pricey, too, especially for sending smaller amounts. Depending on your bank, the price may range anywhere from $15-$35 or more. That’s why I don’t like this option.

To compensate you for moving money, if it costs you anything over $5.00 I (Dr. Newdell) will repay you by giving you an additional month of advertising At No Charge. You’ll get a $69 month FREE. I’m happy to do this because I absolutely KNOW this advertising will repay whatever you invested into it, and when you see I’m right you will continue another year.

I know exactly what to do to bring in A LOT more reader traffic quickly and it will all come out as a great benefit to the first advertisers who jump in and take my Charter Advertiser offer.

You can advise me of any special arrangements you want. I’ll work up a price for you and set it up for you to see on the website. When you have agreed you are pleased and transfer your payment directly to my account in Florida, I will finish by setting more of these ads in other article pages and social media “posts” I will also schedule a billing with an added Free month of advertising if you had to pay for transferring money. Just let me know what you were charged. If it was more than $5.00 you’ll get another month of advertising FREE. I’ll trust your word! You don’t have to show me anything “on paper.”

Bank-to-bank option 3: Billpay (US domestic only)

Many banks have listened to the pain of their customers and set up low-cost ways people can send money online. This option is often called something to the tune of “BillPay” or “Online payments/transfers”.

What this means is that you may be able to login to your online bank account and choose an option to send money to your recipient’s bank account (by filling in only their name, the amount, their ACH routing number, and account number) without ever visiting a bank branch.

There are a few things you’ll need to know, though.

Depending on your bank, they may just issue a paper check and mail it to your recipient. If this is going to be an issue because your recipient won’t be able to physically go and deposit it in their bank, you’ll want to check with your bank to verify which method they use to send Bill Pay transfers.
This method may take anywhere from 1-7 business days for the money to arrive.

If you use Bank of America, they offer next day and 3 day transfers that can deposit money straight into your recipient’s bank account.

Pros:

You should be able to set everything up online within your online banking portal.
Generally free or low cost.

Cons:

You’ll need your recipient’s bank details ahead of time.
It’s only for transfers inside of the US.
Your recipient may actually receive a check and have to deposit it.
It could be slow, sometimes up to 7 business days.

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