Frequently Asked Questions

A bank code is a series of numbers used to identify banks around the world. They can have between 3 and 23 digits depending on the bank and the country.A bank code could be called:

• BSB
• SWIFT Code
• BIC (Bank Identification Code)
• CHIPS (Clearing House Inter-bank Payment System) – US and Canada only
• NCC (National Clearing Code)
• BSC (Bank Sort Code)
• IFSC (Indian Financial System Code)

For some countries you may need an International Bank Account Number (IBAN) in addition to the bank code.

Ask your receiver for the bank code and IBAN (if applicable). You can refer to our direct to bank account country list to find out more.

To fund your transaction via a bank transfer, you will need to initiate the transaction on wu.com and complete the transaction from your bank account.

To start, follow the below steps.

1. Select “Bank Transfer” as payment option.
2. Fill in transfer details, including destination country, amount to be sent etc.
3. Click “Submit” to see the information needed to complete the transfer from your bank account.
4. After pressing submit, you will be shown a reference number and directed to a list of banks from the network of our partner agent, Unioni Financiar Tirana (UFT) Bank. Note down the reference number and the account details of the bank you wish to send to
5. Log on to your online banking or go to your bank.
6. Start a transaction to send money from your bank account to the UFT bank you selected from the list.
7. ADD THE REFERENCE NUMBER from step 4 to your bank transfer.
8. Complete transfer.

Once you have completed the transfer, you will be sent a tracking number (MTCN) via SMS. Use this number to track your transfer and ensure you provide the tracking number (MTCN) to your receiver.

Yes, the Western Union direct to bank account service is an easy and convenient way to send funds directly to your receiver’s bank account in selected countries.

Direct to bank account money transfers can change from country to country and can take up to five days*. For more details, please refer to our direct to bank country list

*Funds may be delayed or services unavailable based on certain transfer conditions, including amount sent, destination country, currency availability, regulatory and foreign exchange issues, required receiver action(s), identification requirements, Agent location hours, differences in time zones, or selection of delayed options. Additional restrictions may apply. See Terms and Conditions for details.

An International Bank Account Number (IBAN) is a code used in some countries to identify a customer’s bank account. The IBAN has a letter to identify the country followed by 2 digits, and then up to 35 characters for the bank account number.

You can check our country list to see what details are needed for each country. Ask your receiver for the IBAN if its required.

Simply select the direct to bank account service when sending money online or at an agent location. What you need to provide when selecting this service changes from country to country, but usually includes:

• The receiver’s bank name and code.
• The receiver’s bank account name and number.

To find out which countries are available for the direct to bank service, please check our country list.