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Moving money from one place to another is what makes the world go round in many ways, and yet when we need to do it in our own lives, it can feel like it is taking forever. The admin and red tape involved in making an international money transfer can be quite a shock if you are used to making domestic transfers using your local bank.
Because we want to bring you up to speed and help you choose the right course of action, we’re going to tell you the key things that you need to know about international money transfers. Let’s take a closer look at the details!
Exchange rates fluctuate in two ways
The exchange rate between any two given currencies will vary throughout the day due to the interplay of a wide range of different variables, factors, and economic drivers. No bank or money transfer service will be able to have any noticeable impact on these fluctuations. What they can do, however, is choose the specific exchange rate value that they are prepared to offer for each transaction. Many service providers will look to offer a slightly adjusted exchange rate that works in their favour, so making sure to compare different offerings is always a smart thing to do.
Incorrect details can cause delays
The wrong account number or an incomplete overseas address will slow things down and could potentially result in your money being sent somewhere else. Making sure that you have everything in order and that it has been double-checked is so important. Giving yourself some time and space so that you can check things through without being bothered or distracted is important. It will only take a couple of extra minutes, but those two minutes could save you hours of headaches and delays.
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Money transfers need the SWIFT network
The world of international money transfers works by using the SWIFT network to identify every bank in the world in a unique way. Each one will have a unique SWIFT code that you can look up online, ensuring that the money is routed to the correct location. This is essentially a shorthand for the physical address of the bank that makes sure that the recipient’s bank can then move the money you are transferring into their account. The SWIFT code will also ensure that any intermediary banks that need to be notified are aware of the nature and timing of the transaction.
Personal details remain personal
Trusted money transfer services are bound by a series of legal requirements and codes of ethics that mean they have to protect your details. They continually invest in online security systems and staff training to ensure that nothing is overlooked or becomes a weak point. Making sure that you only provide information to a trusted service provider will help you keep yourself and your finances safe online.
Local banks may be slow and costly
Many of us will turn to our local bank in the first instance when we want to transfer money abroad because it feels like it is the natural place to start. The problem here is that, while they are experts when it comes to issuing small loans and family mortgages, many are simply not set up for international money transfers. When they try to help you so that they can retain your custom, they may be unwittingly slowing you down or charging fees that simply do not offer value for money. Connecting with a specialist international money transfer service is always the way to go and will save you a significant amount of time and money in many cases.
Timing matters with time zones
The final thing you need to be aware of is the fact that international transfers are not instant. Currency needs to be converted, borders need to be crossed, and intermediaries need to play their part. This can be complicated by the fact that there may be little or no overlap between the working hours of two different countries, depending on their respective time zones. Working with a money transfer service will ensure that you know how long everything is going to take and will give you access to smart tracking tools.
All of the above can make it seem like international money transfers are so costly and time-consuming that they are simply not worth it, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The solution, as with many things in life, is to find an expert you feel you can trust. Hiring the services of an established international money transfer service remains the best way to move money to every corner of the world in 2025.
Reviewed and edited by Albert Fang.
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Article Title: What You Need to Know About International Money Transfers in 2025
https://fangwallet.com/2025/09/13/what-you-need-to-know-about-international-money-transfers-in-2025/The FangWallet Promise
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