A wire transfer is an electronic transfer of funds.

Wire transfers can be done by a simple bank account transfer, or by a transfer of cash at a cash office.

History

Wire transfers have been available since the advent of the telegraph, when the sender, at one bank, would communicate by telegraph (wire) the amount of money to be given to another person.

Wire transfer companies

One of the largest companies that offers wire transfer is Western Union (minimum of £25, $15). Its wire transfer network has caused much controversy due to the anonymity of the service.

Modern usage

In modern times, the word wire transfer or bank transfer (sometimes combined as bank wire transfer) is used for domestic or international transactions where no cash or cheque exchange is involved, but the account balance is directly (electronically) transferred from one bank account to the other.

Regulation

Bank transfer is the most common payment method in Europe, with several million transactions done each day. While in 2002 the European Commission has regulated the fees banks may charge between Eurozone countries down to the domestic level, international wire transfers can be quite expensive.

Security features

However, wire transfer, done bank-to-bank, is considered the safest international payment method. Both account holders must have a proven identitity, and there is no possibility of a chargeback.

Caution: risks in non-bank transfers

Wire transfers done through cash offices, however, are usually unsafe and are not recommended for international trade.