Best Banks for International Transfers [2025]: Where Sending Cash is Easy, Cheap, and Fast

If you need to send money overseas, you have a few options. You could use a money services company or visit a currency exchange. If you go to your bank, you might be charged a hefty international transfer fee of up to $50 plus an exchange rate markup.

But the best banks for international transfers waive these costs for premium customers, recipients in certain countries, or specific banking activities.

We evaluated major banks based on their international transfer fees, other benefits to travelers or folks with family abroad, and reputation for customer service. We chose five banks. Find out which one is the best fit for your financial needs.

How to send money internationally

If you want to send money to a family member, friend, or contractor abroad, you can:

• Go to the bank: You may be able to send an international wire transfer from your bank. If you're not happy with your current bank's fees or exchange rate markups, consider opening an account with one of the banks below.
• Use a money transfer service: Online international transfer services allow you to send money online at the interbank exchange rate plus a transparent fee.
• Visit a money transfer store or currency exchange: More traditional wire transfer companies can help you send or receive cash in person or on an app.

When choosing an option, consider:

• How frequently you'll need to send international transfers
• The fee and foreign exchange rate for international transfers
• How quickly you want the money to arrive
• What options your recipient has to access the money

Never send an envelope of cash in the mail, and make sure you're sending money to the right person.

Best banks for international transfers

Bank	Great for …	International transfer fees
HSBC Premier Checking	High earners	None
Chase Sapphire Checking	Frequent transfers	None
Citi Checking	Transfers between Citi accounts	$0 - $45
Fidelity Cash Management	No account fees and a high APY	None
Navy Federal Credit Union	Military	$25

HSBC Premier Checking

HSBC Premier

Earn up to a $3,500 Bonus With This Checking Account

Open a new HSBC Premier checking account by December 31, 2025. Add New Deposits to your Premier checking account, Premier Savings account and/or Premier Relationship Savings account by December 31, 2025, and maintain the New Deposits through March 31, 2026.¹ <p>Qualifying direct deposits are electronic deposits of regular periodic payments (such as salary, pension, Social Security, or other regular monthly income) deposited through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network to this account by your employer or an outside agency (please check with your employer or outside agency to determine if they use the ACH network). Direct deposits that do not qualify include but are not limited to transfers from one account to another, mobile deposits, or deposits made at a Wealth Center or ATM.</p>

Open Account

With HSBC Global Money Transfers, you can send money abroad from your mobile phone. Transfers may be immediate, or take up to four days. While HSBC charges a $50 monthly maintenance fee, there are several ways to waive the fee, including receiving at least $5,000 in total direct deposits per month.¹ <p>Qualifying direct deposits are electronic deposits of regular periodic payments (such as salary, pension, Social Security, or other regular monthly income) deposited through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network to this account by your employer or an outside agency (please check with your employer or outside agency to determine if they use the ACH network). Direct deposits that do not qualify include but are not limited to transfers from one account to another, mobile deposits, or deposits made at a Wealth Center or ATM.</p>

Up to four family members can access the benefits, including financial advice from a Wealth Relationship Manager and support opening an account abroad. You can also use the HSBC Debit Mastercard with no foreign transaction fees and other travel benefits.

Visit HSBC Premier Checking

Chase Sapphire Checking

Chase doesn't charge fees for international transfers with Chase Sapphire Banking. In addition, you won't pay any fees at ATMs globally — Chase will reimburse out-of-network surcharges. And if you lose your debit card while traveling, there's no fee for a rush replacement.

You'll even get premium perks like a 24/7 dedicated banking service line. Plus, you'll have access to Chase Mobile Banking benefits, including mobile check deposit, built-in Zelle for U.S. payments, and free credit score monitoring.

To waive the $25 monthly service fee, you'll need to maintain an average beginning daily balance of $75,000 across your qualifying Chase accounts, which includes savings accounts and some retirement and investment accounts. Even if that's tough for you to maintain, $25 per month is a great deal for unlimited international transfers at no cost — most banks charge more than that for just one outgoing wire transfer.

Consider opening a Chase Total Checking^® as well if you need to work toward that fee-waiver balance threshold on your Sapphire account. We named it one of the best checking accounts.

Learn more in our Chase Bank review.

Citi Checking

Citi offers multiple options for international transfers, and it's easy to avoid the monthly maintenance fee. With Citibank Global Transfers, any Citi account holder in the U.S. can send money to other Citibank accounts in Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, or the United Arab Emirates free of charge. And for outgoing international wire transfers initiated online, Citi waives the $25-$35 fee for Citigold customers.

The Citigold relationship tier comes with other benefits like unlimited reimbursements for third-party ATM fees globally and access to Citigold Lounges worldwide. You can even get foreign currency delivered free when you're traveling abroad. This relationship tier requires a combined average monthly balance of $200,000 or more, but that includes investment accounts, and you can link with your spouse or another family member to meet the requirement.

Learn more in our Citibank review.

Fidelity Cash Management

Fidelity is a financial services company that offers a cash management account, which is a brokerage account designed for everyday spending.

You can use the account to write checks and pay bills like a regular checking account, and if you choose the FDIC-Insured Deposit Sweep Program, your balance (up to $5 million) will be federally insured. Plus, you'll earn 1.96% (as of 11/04/2025) APY on the balance. (Note: That's still not as high as some of the best savings accounts.)

There are no account fees or minimum balance requirements. Fidelity also offers unlimited reimbursements for ATM fees worldwide and doesn't charge a fee for international wire transfers, though the receiving bank might.

The daily transfer limit is $1 million, and transfers are processed the same business day, giving you plenty of flexibility.

Learn more in our Fidelity review.

Navy Federal Credit Union

Navy Federal Credit Union is a federal credit union that is member-owned and not-for-profit. Membership is open to military members and personnel, veterans, and their families.

If you're stationed overseas, there may be a Navy Federal or CO-OP ATM at your base, which you can use to withdraw cash from your checking account. Most are fee-free, but some CO-OP ATMs charge a 1% fee.

You can wire money overseas for a $25 fee with a 5-7 business day wait time. That's less than most traditional banks charge for international wire transfers, plus incoming wire transfers are free.

Navy Federal also offers a fee-free, easy checking account with three overdraft protection options, a banking app with built-in Zelle, and a free credit-building tool that allows you to report recurring payments like rent to the credit bureaus.

Learn more in our Navy Federal Credit Union review.

Other international money transfer services

If you're happy with your current bank but could do without the wire transfer fees, consider using a money services company or money transfer center to send money internationally. Options include:

• Wise: It's free to create a Wise account, and your recipient doesn't need to use the service. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate, so you'll avoid markups that are common among banks. Fees vary depending on the country and payment type, but Wise offers a calculator for transparency.
• MoneyGram: MoneyGram offers multiple ways to send and receive money internationally — you can send in person, online, or through the app, and your recipient can pick up cash or receive the funds in their bank account, mobile wallet, or debit card.
• Western Union: Western Union often runs promotions that allow you to temporarily avoid transfer fees. You can initiate a transfer online, in the app, or at an agent location for delivery in your recipient's bank account.

FAQs

Bottom line

Decide whether to prioritize timing, cost, and ease of the transaction, and weigh the other benefits you'll get from your new bank.

Consider Navy Federal Credit Union if you're current or former military. Or if you want a bank with plenty of branches, go with the Chase Sapphire Account — you'll get a ton of perks beyond free international transfers.

Citi is also a good option for folks with a higher bank balance, and if you're relocating abroad, you should consider opening an HSBC Premier Checking Account.

Fidelity's Cash Management Account is a great choice if you already have a brokerage account with Fidelity, if you want to start investing, or if you're looking for an account with a high APY.

Learn More

Earn up to a $3,500 bonus when you open a new HSBC Premier checking account by December 31, 2025. Add New Deposits to your Premier checking account, Premier Savings account and/or Premier Relationship Savings account by December 31, 2025, and maintain the New Deposits through March 31, 2026.¹ <p>Qualifying direct deposits are electronic deposits of regular periodic payments (such as salary, pension, Social Security, or other regular monthly income) deposited through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network to this account by your employer or an outside agency (please check with your employer or outside agency to determine if they use the ACH network). Direct deposits that do not qualify include but are not limited to transfers from one account to another, mobile deposits, or deposits made at a Wealth Center or ATM.</p>

Get a $1,000 Cash Bonus: Add and maintain New Deposits of $150,000 to $249,999; Get a $2,500 Cash Bonus: Add and maintain New Deposits of $250,000 to $499,999; Get a $3,500 Cash Bonus: Add and maintain New Deposits of $500,000+

Send and receive money with Zelle® right from our mobile app

Manage your money safely, easily and fee-free around the world - from Global Money Transfers to multi-currency needs

Enjoy peace of mind with unique travel benefits available through our credit cards