Frequently Asked Questions

Send money to a bank account

Can I send money to a bank account?

 
Yes, the Western Union “direct to bank account” service is an easy and convenient way to send money directly to a receiver’s bank account in countries where it’s available.

What is a Bank Identification Code (BIC)?

A Bank Identification Code (BIC) is used to identify banks worldwide. A BIC is the same as a SWIFT code. The terms are interchangeable. A BIC will either have 8 or 11 digits.

Ask your receiver for the BIC if it’s required in their country—you can check our Direct to Bank Account country information to confirm the information you’ll need.

How long does a “Direct to Bank Account” money transfer take?

“Direct to bank account” money transfers vary by country and can take up to 5 days. For more details, refer to our Direct to Bank Account country information.

In which countries can I send money directly to my receiver’s bank account?

Check our Direct to Bank Account country information to see in which countries the service is available. On the page what bank information you’ll need and how long it will take for the money to be deposited into your receiver’s bank account for each country.

What is an International Bank Account Number (IBAN)?

An IBAN is used in some countries to uniquely identify a customer’s bank account. The IBAN consists of an alphabetical country code followed by two digits, and then up to thirty-five characters for the bank account number.

You can refer to our Direct to Bank Account country information to see what details are needed for each country.

How do I send money to a bank account from Bahrain?

Simply choose the Direct to Bank Account service when you send it online or at an agent’s location. You’ll need your receiver’s bank account details. The requirements vary by country but usually include the following:
  • Your receiver’s bank name and code
  • Your receiver’s bank account number.

Check our Direct to Bank Account country information to see which countries the service is available to and the information needed for each country.

What’s a bank code, and how do I find my receiver’s bank code?

A bank code is a series of numbers that is used to identify banks around the world. They can range between 3 and 23 digits depending on the country of the bank and the type of code:
  • 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 information to see what details are required for each country.