Outgoing International Wire Transfers

The most convenient way to send an international wire transfer is through our eWires service within Digital Banking.  If you have never used our eWire service, it must be activated by calling BFSFCU at (202) 212-6400  or toll-free at 1-800-9-BFSFCU. If you have used eWire in the past, but not in the past 12 months, we will need to re-activate the service for you; please call us at the numbers noted above or visit a branch during normal business hours. Calling from overseas? See our list of international toll free numbers.

Wiring and routing instructions for international wires change frequently so it is highly recommended that you confirm the correct instructions with the beneficiary’s financial institution before submitting your request as this will help ensure timely receipt.

International wire transfer requests are subject to the policies and procedures of correspondent and intermediary banks and can take up to 10 business days to be received by the beneficiary. If you have previously sent a payment to the same beneficiary and routing requirements have changed, our eWires system will notify you that the beneficiary needs to be updated.

Please note that for your safety, BFSFCU has significant security procedures in place for wire transfer requests. Additional verification and documentation may be requested as needed; examples include the sender’s specific occupation and verification related to the source of funds and specific purpose provided. The information typically required for an international wire request is as follows:

Sender's Information

• Your name
• Your Account Number from which the funds are to be withdrawn
• Amount in U.S. dollars or in the foreign currency (minimum amount of $100 U.S. Dollars or equivalent in any foreign currency)

Beneficiary's information

• Name as it appears on the account
• Full address of the beneficiary
• Bank name and the bank's street address of the bank holding the beneficiary's account
• Account number (must be in IBAN format for transfers to most countries in Europe and many countries in other parts of the world that accept Euros)
• A SWIFT code is required for all international wire transfers.
• A Bank code is required for the following countries (wires to additional countries may also require a bank code):
  • Transit Code (Canada)
  • Branch Code (Japan, Kenya, Hong Kong, Senegal, South Africa)
  • Sort Code (United Kingdom)
  • BSB Code (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji)
  • Clabe (Mexico)
  • RTGS IFSC Code (India)
• Specific Purpose -- required in order to complete your request.