What is an Electronic Money Transfer?

How is it made: Through any electronic terminal – credit card, debit card, ATM, online, POS etc.

Cost: Cheaper than wire transfers; domestic is cheaper than international money transfers. Cost can be free or minimal.

Speed: Completed instantly or within 24hrs-3 days.

An electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) is when money is transferred electronically from one bank account to another bank account. This term applies when both the sending and receiving accounts are within the same financial institution and when the transfer is made between accounts held in multiple institutions. An electronic money transfer is done via computer systems without the need for human intervention.

The term Electronic Money Transfer refers to any transfer of funds initiated electronically via credit card; computer; point-of-sale (POS) or ATM. The transfer could be for any purpose including debit transfers, mortgage payments, payroll payments, credit transfers, and more. Electronic Money Transfers are known by different names in different systems including Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT); giro transfer or Direct Deposit (used to deposit salaries directly in employees’ bank accounts). It is often used as an umbrella term for all money transfers made electronically.

What is a Wire Bank Transfer?

How it is made: Electronically from bank-to-bank or through a wire transfer service.

Cost: More expensive option although domestic bank wire transfers are cheaper than international. With bank-to-bank wire transfers the sender pays a fee; recipient pays a fee (deducted from the amount sent) and intermediary banks charge a fee. With wire transfer services the sender usually pays the fees and receiving the money is free.

Speed: Same day for domestic or up to 5 days for international bank-to-bank wire transfers. Wire transfer services offer various options – money in minutes, direct to receiver’s bank account within 2-5 days or direct transfer to receiver’s digital wallet.

What is a Wire Bank Transfer?

What is a Wire Bank Transfer?

A wire bank transfer is used to transfer funds electronically from one individual or business to another. There is a range of wire transfer options depending on the urgency and finality of the settlement; volume of transactions; amount being sent and cost of the wire transfer. A wire bank transfer is initiated when the sender contacts his bank and supplies the information for the required transfer – amount of money to be transferred; IBAN/SWIFT of the receiving bank; name of receiver and their bank account details. The sending bank transmits a transfer request via a secure electronic system like SWIFT to the receiving bank. Within a few hours or days, the funds are moved from the sender’s account to the receiver’s account. The banks must have reciprocal accounts with each other or the transfer must be sent via a bank with such an account.

Fees and charges are made at every stage of the wire bank transfer process. Both the sender and the receiver of a wire transfer will need to pay for the service. The sending bank charges a fee separate from the transferred amount; the receiving bank deducts a fee from the transferred amount and any intermediary banks will also take a percentage of the amount being transferred. This means that the recipient receives the transferred amount minus the fee deductions and the sender pays more than the amount sent; as he pays bank fees for the wire transfer service.

Alternatively, you can use a cash office or money wire transfer service like Western Union where you can provide the money from a bank account (credit card) or hand over cash. The recipient can pick up the funds from the cash office or have them deposited in their bank account. The exact process, speed and cost differ depending on whether you make the wire transfer through a bank or a wire transfer service.

 How is it made: A telegraphic transfer is done by the sender giving an instruction to his bank to send funds or by internet banking.

Cost: Fees are paid to the sending, intermediary and receiving banks.

Speed: Fast! Bank-to-bank telegraphic transfers 1-4 days.

What is a Telegraphic Transfer?

A telegraphic transfer (TT or telex transfer) moves funds electronically but it is mostly used for international transactions. The term originates from when money used to be moved using telex messages but these days it is done electronically. In the UK the term telegraphic transfer usually refers to a domestic CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payment System) transfer or an international SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) transfer. In the USA domestic telegraphic transfers go through the Federal Reserve System and international telegraphic transfers use SWIFT. In Europe, SEPA is used for telegraphic transfers. Use of these internationally recognized systems ensures a high standard of security and strict regulations which control the manner in which the transfer is conducted.

Telegraphic transfers are distinct in being fast (1-4 business days) and expensive. The cost of a TT transfer is subject to a number of variables (currency, amount being transferred, country of origin and destination, institution used to make the transaction, etc.). Charges and fees for telegraphic transfers are not standardized and can vary depending on the financial institution or bank.

What is an IBAN transfer?

An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is associated with an individual or business’s bank account, bank and country. This way when money is sent internationally the recipient’s bank account can be easily located using the IBAN that indicates not only the bank account number but also the bank and country. To transfer money internationally you will most likely be asked for the IBAN of the recipient’s bank account. The IBAN’s unique combination of letters and numbers for each individual bank account makes processing transfers easier, faster and more secure. The IBAN system is so reliable that when doing a SEPA transfer through a European bank the recipient’s IBAN can be the only reference you need.

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• wire transfer vs bank transfer: Wire transfers and bank transfers are both methods of moving funds electronically from one account/person to another. In general wire transfers are faster than bank transfers but more expensive and less secure. Bank transfers have the advantage of being cheaper and more secure. Domestic wire transfers are usually received within 24 hours and within 1-5 days for international wire transfers. Bank transfers take up to 4-5 business days. Wire transfers cost the sender about $25-$100 and sometimes an additional fee is charged to receive the funds. Bank transfers are cheaper than wire transfers. Bank transfers are considered safer, and less vulnerable to scams than wire transfers.
• wire transfer vs electronic transfer: Wire transfers and electronic transfers both move funds electronically. In general wire transfers are faster and more expensive and electronic transfers are more convenient and more secure. A wire transfer is done through a network of banks or transfer agents from one account to another. Once initiated a wire transfer cannot be reversed and is generally available immediately. An electronic transfer can be done between two accounts; as a recurring automatic payment or via a credit or debit card when a purchase is made. The electronic transfer goes via an automated clearinghouse and can take up to 3 days to complete.
• electronic fund transfer: Electronic fund transfers (EFT) move funds from one bank account to another bank account either within the same financial institution or between two different banks. “Electronic fund transfer” is an umbrella term that can be used to cover all forms of transferring funds electronically instead of cash or check. EFT can refer to a direct deposit; deposits or withdrawals at an electronic terminal (ATM); a credit or debit card transaction and an EFT can be initiated via online banking, by phone. EFT is part of the everyday running of a business and is used to pay vendors, utility providers, and employees. Customers use electronic transfers to make convenient and safe purchases at point-of-sale or online.