A wire transfer is a method of electronic funds transfer from one person or institution to another. It is the most expensive form of electronic funds transfer, and thus should only be used when no other methods are possible.

It is essential that you provide us with all of the following information:

• Beneficiary’s name
• Beneficiary’s account number
• Name of beneficiary’s bank
• Beneficiary’s bank ABA number
• Address of the beneficiary’s bank
• Type of currency
• Amount of the wire
• Brief description of the wire
• AU budget account number
• Originating department name and contact number

Please note that for international wires, a SWIFT Code and an IBAN (for European Union countries) are required. If any of the essential information above is missing, we cannot send the wire.

An ABA routing number is a nine-digit numeric code that identifies the bank and location of where the wire must be sent. Please use the ABA code denoted by the bank that is specific to wire transfers.

Domestic outgoing wire transfers are delivered to the beneficiary's bank by the next business day.

A swift code is an eight- to eleven-digit code containing letters and numbers that uniquely identify a beneficiary’s bank. Swift codes are only necessary if you send an international wire.

IBAN stands for International Bank Account Number. This is a standardized code that allows for the identification of foreign accounts across countries. For European Union nations the IBAN may be as long as 27 characters; outside the European Union, the IBAN code can be as long as 34 characters. All IBANs start with two letters. Please contact the beneficiary of the wire to determine the correct IBAN code.

The time it takes for an international wire transfer to be received varies depending on many factors, including location and OFAC banking regulations. 

A returned wire transfer normally is the result of incorrect bank or account information. We normally are notified if the bank cannot process the wire within a short period of time after it was sent. We will work with you identify the correct banking information to ensure that the wire is processed in a timely manner.

For more information regarding countries with restrictions, please visit the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).