Compare banks for international transfers without ignoring the exchange rate
Banks can make the payment. The harder question is what it costs, what reaches the recipient and whether a specialist would handle the same transfer better.
The visible transfer fee is often the smaller cost
Most mainstream banks can send money abroad. The payment may travel through SWIFT or a regional network such as SEPA, and the bank can convert currency before sending it.
The cost can include a transfer fee, exchange-rate margin, funding charge and deductions by intermediary or receiving banks. A zero-fee international payment can still cost hundreds or thousands of pounds through the customer exchange rate. The site's bank fee research found material differences between UK institutions.
Banks still have genuine strengths. Existing security, familiar account access, branch service and eligible deposit protection can matter. They are a sensible benchmark. For larger conversions, the benchmark should be tested against currency brokers and app-led services using the amount the recipient gets.
Published pricing shows why the exchange rate matters
These are live bank disclosures reviewed in July 2026. Account, route, currency and channel can change the amount charged.
NatWest
Most standard online international payments have no transfer fee. NatWest says an FX margin applies and will not exceed 2.75%. An urgent payment is £15.
Barclays
Barclays says its personal conversion charge will be no greater than 2.75%. Overseas-bank charges and a USD cover charge can also apply.
Lloyds
Lloyds publishes a £9.50 online shared-charge fee. Its international-account exchange margin starts at 3.55% below £10,000 and falls with volume.
Recipient deductions
A shared charging option can leave the beneficiary paying agent or receiving-bank fees, reducing the final credited amount.
SEPA is different
A euro payment inside the SEPA area is not the same as a converted SWIFT transfer. Compare payment rail and currency conversion separately.
Specialist benchmark
Request a quote from a bank, a broker and an app for the same payment before moving a large sum.
Search 26 international banking options
Filter by region and account model. Each bank sets its own eligibility, transfer limits, rates and charging options.
International bank finder
The purpose is to find the relevant bank category, then compare its live quote with a specialist.
Barclays
UK high-street bankInternational payments through the app or online bank. Published charges can include delivery or cover fees, while the conversion margin may be the larger cost.
NatWest
UK high-street bankStandard online international payments can have no transfer fee, but NatWest says an FX margin applies and can reach 2.75%.
Lloyds Bank
UK high-street bankA familiar route for existing customers, but its published international pricing shows a transfer fee and exchange margins that fall only at higher values.
HSBC
Global bankA strong international banking footprint, with separate products for domestic customers and eligible expatriates. Account and country eligibility matter.
Nationwide
UK building societyIncluded because the site's bank-fee research found lower sampled FX margins than several large UK banks, though live quotes still need comparison.
Santander UK
UK high-street bankOffers international transfers through established bank channels. Compare the recipient amount with a specialist before sending a large conversion.
Bank of America
US bankA mainstream US wire option with different pricing depending on whether the payment is sent in dollars or converted to foreign currency.
JPMorgan Chase
US bankA familiar US bank route for international wires. Fixed fees and the customer FX rate should be compared with the final recipient amount elsewhere.
Citibank
Global US bankGlobal banking reach can help customers already using Citi across countries, though international wire pricing varies by account and route.
Wells Fargo
US bankA mainstream bank wire option. Request the exchange rate and all charges before comparing it with app and specialist quotes.
Commonwealth Bank
Australian bankA convenient option inside a major Australian banking relationship. The site's review found the specialist FX proposition weaker for smaller businesses and private customers.
ANZ
Australian and NZ bankOffers international payments across Australia and New Zealand. Compare digital transfer fees, FX pricing and recipient deductions for the chosen route.
NAB
Australian bankA major Australian bank option for outgoing wires and foreign currency payments, with convenience strongest for existing customers.
Westpac
Australian and NZ bankA familiar bank channel in Australia and New Zealand. The exchange-rate margin and possible correspondent deductions deserve more attention than the headline fee.
Macquarie
Australian bankAn Australian bank option with modern digital banking. Product availability and transfer functionality depend on the account held.
TD Bank
Canadian bankA large Canadian bank with international transfer and wire options. Compare the bank rate, wire fee and receiving-bank costs as one total.
RBC
Canadian bankA broad Canadian banking relationship with cross-border products. International transfer pricing varies by route, account and delivery method.
Scotiabank
Canadian bankRelevant to customers using Scotiabank's network across the Americas. Check both foreign exchange pricing and intermediary deductions.
BMO
Canadian bankA mainstream Canadian bank route for international wires, often chosen for convenience rather than specialist currency support.
CIBC
Canadian bankProvides international payment options inside a Canadian current-account relationship. Compare final recipient amounts before choosing it for a large conversion.
ING
European bankA major European banking group with country-specific international payment services. Fees and product terms differ between national entities.
Deutsche Bank
European bankA global German bank with strong corporate capability. Retail pricing and access differ substantially from institutional foreign exchange services.
BNP Paribas
European bankA large European group whose products and charges vary by country. SEPA transfers and converted international wires should be treated separately.
ABN AMRO
Dutch bankA Netherlands-based banking option for SEPA and wider international payments, with account-level pricing and foreign exchange terms.
Banco Sabadell
Spanish bankA practical local bank route for customers with Spanish accounts, especially where property payments and local administration are connected.
Lloyds International
Offshore bank accountAn international account offering currency banking to eligible customers. It is distinct from a standard Lloyds UK current account.
Current UK bank pricing examples
Published personal or international-account pricing reviewed in July 2026.
| Bank | Headline sending fee | Published FX information | Other possible cost | Best reason to use it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NatWest | Most standard online payments: £0; urgent: £15 | Margin applies, maximum 2.75% | Recipient-bank charges | Existing NatWest account and clear online process |
| Barclays | Varies by payment and charge option | Personal conversion charge no greater than 2.75% | Overseas charge £4 to £12; USD cover £3 | Existing Barclays account |
| Lloyds | £9.50 online shared-charge option | International account table starts at 3.55% under £10,000 | Agent and recipient-bank deductions | Existing Lloyds relationship |
| Nationwide | Check current channel pricing | Site research sampled lower margins than several UK peers | Route-dependent deductions | Existing member seeking a bank quote |
The best bank shortlist starts locally
United Kingdom
Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds, HSBC, Nationwide and Santander cover the main retail comparison. Add HSBC Expat or Lloyds International for eligible overseas customers.
United States
Bank of America, Chase, Citi and Wells Fargo dominate the retail wire discussion. Pricing differs when dollars are sent unchanged versus converted before transfer.
Australia and New Zealand
CommBank, ANZ, NAB, Westpac and Macquarie offer familiar domestic banking routes. OFX is the obvious specialist benchmark because of its Australian base.
Canada
TD, RBC, Scotiabank, BMO and CIBC provide international wires through large branch networks. Compare bank fees and the FX margin together.
Europe
ING, Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, ABN AMRO and Banco Sabadell have country-specific pricing. Separate SEPA euro payments from converted SWIFT transfers.
International accounts
HSBC Expat and Lloyds International can suit eligible customers living across borders who want banking around the transfer service.
SWIFT can involve more than two banks
A sending bank may use a correspondent or intermediary bank before the payment reaches the beneficiary bank. Each institution can perform checks and, depending on the charging instruction, deduct a fee.
The common charging choices are OUR, SHA and BEN. OUR asks the sender to cover charges, SHA shares them, and BEN deducts them from the beneficiary amount. Banks may not offer every option on every route.
Read the full guide to intermediary and beneficiary bank fees.
What you need before sending
- Recipient's full legal name and address
- IBAN or local account number
- SWIFT or BIC and bank address
- Payment purpose and reference
- Correct charge option and receiving currency
Eligible UK deposits now have £120,000 FSCS protection
From 1 December 2025, eligible deposits at a UK-authorised bank, building society or credit union are protected up to £120,000 per person, per authorised firm. Qualifying temporary high balances can receive additional protection for a limited period.
More than a decade comparing international payment firms
Alon founded Money Transfer Comparison in 2014. His work combines provider research, pricing analysis and long-term observation of how banks, brokers, apps and remittance firms serve different customers.
Read Alon's profile →NatWest pricing
NatWest publishes no fee for most standard online international payments, a £15 urgent fee and an FX margin capped at 2.75%.
Open source →Barclays pricing
Barclays publishes its personal conversion cap and possible overseas and USD cover charges.
Open source →FSCS protection
The FSCS explains the £120,000 deposit limit and temporary-high-balance rules in force from December 2025.
Open source →Frequently asked questions
Which UK bank is cheapest for international transfers?
There is no permanent winner because exchange rates and fees vary by amount and route. Current disclosures make NatWest and Barclays easier to model, while the site's sampled research has previously found Nationwide competitive among banks.
Why can a fee-free bank transfer still be expensive?
The bank can earn through the exchange-rate margin. On a large conversion, a 2% margin matters much more than a £10 transfer fee.
Are bank transfers safer than money transfer companies?
Banks and regulated payment firms use different protection structures. Eligible UK bank deposits receive FSCS protection. Payment and e-money firms generally safeguard relevant customer funds.
What are OUR, SHA and BEN charges?
They describe who bears international bank charges. OUR places charges with the sender, SHA shares them, and BEN deducts charges from the beneficiary amount.
Should I use my bank for a property transfer?
Get the bank quote, but compare it with at least one currency broker. For a large property payment, the exchange rate and operational support can outweigh the convenience of staying with the bank.
How long does an international bank transfer take?
SEPA and local payment rails can be quick. SWIFT transfers commonly take one to several working days, with extra time possible for compliance checks or intermediary banks.
Compare the final recipient amount, not the familiar logo
Request the live bank rate and every known charge. Then ask one specialist and one app to price the identical transfer.