TL;DR Summary: Citibank processes outbound international wire transfers via the SWIFT network with fixed fees ranging from $0 for Citigold and Private Client accounts to $35 for standard accounts. An exchange rate margin of approximately 3% to 5% applies to all foreign currency conversions, representing the most significant component of the total transfer cost. Citibank Global Transfer, available between Citibank accounts internationally, is fee-free and settles same-day. For non-Citibank recipients, specialist digital platforms such as Wise typically deliver materially better value on larger transfers or recurring payments.
Introduction: Citibank's International Transfer Services
Citibank, the retail banking subsidiary of Citigroup, is one of the most globally connected financial institutions in the United States, with direct banking operations in over 160 countries. This international presence gives Citibank customers structural advantages for cross-border payments, particularly for transfers between Citibank accounts across jurisdictions. At the same time, the bank's fee structure and exchange rate practices reflect the broader pattern common among large US banks, where the true total cost of an international transfer frequently exceeds the stated flat fee by a significant margin once exchange rate markups and correspondent bank charges are accounted for.
Citibank processed nearly USD 380 billion in cross-border transactions in 2024, with an average transfer amount of approximately USD 7,000, reflecting a customer base spanning retail, private banking, and institutional segments. Understanding the fee structure that applies to each account tier is essential for any Citibank customer evaluating whether to send an international payment through the bank or to use a specialist alternative.
Fee Structure by Account Type
Citibank's international wire transfer fees are tiered according to account type. Citigold Private Client, Citi Private Bank, and Citi Global Executive accounts are not charged outgoing or incoming wire transfer fees as a standard account benefit. Citi Priority account holders pay USD 25 per outgoing international wire transfer and receive incoming international wires at no charge. Standard Citibank account holders are charged USD 35 per outgoing international wire transfer and USD 15 per incoming international wire.
These account-level fees cover only Citibank's own processing charge and do not represent the total cost of the transfer. A separate USD 5 foreign currency service fee applies to World Wallet currency exchange orders for standard account holders on transactions below USD 1,000, while Citigold and Citi Priority clients receive this service without the additional charge. Customers initiating wires directly at a branch face no alternative fee structure beyond these stated amounts.
Exchange Rate Margin and Hidden Costs
The most significant cost component for the majority of Citibank international transfers is the exchange rate margin, applied whenever the transfer involves a currency conversion. Citibank does not publish its daily conversion rates publicly, but its transfer terms and conditions explicitly state that a fee is included in the exchange rate applied to foreign currency conversions. Based on industry analysis and comparison with published rates at major US banks, Citibank's exchange rate margin is estimated to range between 3% and 5% of the transfer amount, consistent with the 4.2% to 9.5% range observed across large US bank competitors depending on the currency pair.
To illustrate the practical impact: a USD 2,500 transfer to a Canadian bank account at a 5% exchange rate margin incurs approximately USD 125 in implicit conversion cost, in addition to the stated wire fee. The total effective cost on this transaction approaches USD 160 for a standard account holder, compared to approximately USD 16 using a specialist platform applying the mid-market exchange rate. The recipient receives materially less under the bank scenario. For frequent senders or those processing larger amounts, this differential compounds significantly over time.
Correspondent Bank Fees
SWIFT-routed international transfers from Citibank may pass through one or more correspondent or intermediary banks before reaching the recipient's institution, particularly for transfers to destinations without a direct banking relationship with Citibank. Each intermediary bank may deduct its own processing fee from the transfer principal, typically ranging between USD 10 and USD 100 per transaction depending on routing complexity and the destination market. These fees are deducted from the amount in transit, meaning the recipient receives less than the nominal transfer amount.
Citibank cannot guarantee or predict correspondent bank charges in advance, and recommends that customers ask for an estimate from their relationship manager before initiating a time-sensitive or high-value transfer. Senders who want to ensure the recipient receives the full transfer amount can request the OUR instruction in some markets, which routes all intermediary charges to the sender rather than deducting them from the principal. The availability of this option varies by destination.
Citibank Global Transfer
Citibank Global Transfer (CGT) is a distinct service that allows the transfer of funds between Citibank checking or savings accounts held in different countries. CGT transfers are processed without an outgoing or incoming wire fee, and funds are typically credited to the recipient's Citibank account on the same business day, bypassing the SWIFT correspondent banking network entirely because the movement occurs within Citibank's proprietary internal ledger. This is the most cost-effective and fastest transfer option available to Citibank customers with family members or business counterparts who also hold Citibank accounts internationally.
While CGT carries no explicit fee, an exchange rate margin is applied when the transfer involves a currency conversion, and the rate used is the bank's own retail rate rather than the mid-market benchmark. For same-currency CGT transfers, such as USD to USD between a US and a foreign Citibank account, no conversion margin applies. Daily limits for online-initiated CGT transfers range from USD 50,000 to USD 100,000 depending on account type.
How to Send an International Transfer with Citibank
International wire transfers can be initiated through Citibank Online, via the Citi Mobile app, or in person at any Citibank branch. The required information includes the recipient's full legal name and address, the recipient's bank name and address, the recipient bank's SWIFT or BIC code, the recipient's account number or IBAN, and the transfer amount and currency. Country-specific identifiers may also be required: UK accounts need an IBAN and sort code, Canadian accounts require a transit code, and Indian accounts require an IFSC code.
Wire transfers submitted through online banking or the mobile app are processed on the day of receipt provided they are submitted before the 5:15 PM Eastern Time cut-off on a standard banking business day. Submissions received after this cut-off, on weekends, or on US federal bank holidays are queued for processing on the following business day.
Transfer Timing and Cut-Off Times
The delivery time for a standard SWIFT-routed Citibank international wire is typically one to five business days, depending on the destination country, the recipient bank's processing schedule, and whether the transfer passes through one or more correspondent institutions. Transfers to major financial centres in Europe, the UK, and Canada generally arrive within one to two business days. Transfers to less directly connected markets may take closer to five business days, particularly if the destination bank is not a Citibank direct correspondent. Citibank Global Transfers between Citibank accounts process on a same-day basis when submitted before the applicable daily processing window.
Transfer Limits
There are no statutory limits on the amount that can be transferred internationally from a Citibank account. However, online banking platforms impose daily transfer caps that vary by account type. Transfers exceeding the online limit can be initiated at a Citibank branch where no equivalent digital cap applies. Bank Secrecy Act reporting requirements mandate that US financial institutions file a Currency Transaction Report for cash transactions exceeding USD 10,000, and FinCEN requirements apply to monitoring and reporting of all international wire transfers as part of standard AML compliance procedures.
Cheaper Alternatives to Citibank
For transfers to non-Citibank accounts, specialist digital platforms offer materially lower total costs. Wise applies the mid-market exchange rate with a transparent fee starting from approximately 0.41% of the transfer amount, eliminating the 3% to 5% exchange rate markup that represents the primary cost of a Citibank wire. On a USD 2,500 transfer, the total Wise fee is approximately USD 16, compared to a total effective cost exceeding USD 160 using a standard Citibank account. Remitly, OFX, and TransferGo offer similarly competitive pricing on specific corridors, with the cheapest option varying by destination and transfer amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fee for a Citibank international wire transfer?
Citibank charges no fee for outgoing international wires from Citigold and Private Client accounts. Citi Priority account holders pay USD 25 per outgoing wire, and standard account holders pay USD 35. Incoming international wires cost USD 15 for standard accounts and are free for Citi Priority and above. These fees do not include the exchange rate margin or any correspondent bank deductions, which can add significantly to the total effective cost.
What exchange rate does Citibank use for international transfers?
Citibank applies its own retail exchange rate to international transfers involving currency conversion. This rate includes a margin above the mid-market interbank rate, estimated to range between 3% and 5% of the transfer amount depending on the currency pair. The margin is embedded in the conversion rate and is not disclosed as a separate line-item fee. Comparing the rate offered against the mid-market rate at the time of the transfer reveals the effective markup being applied.
How long does a Citibank international wire transfer take?
Standard SWIFT-routed Citibank international wire transfers arrive within one to five business days depending on the destination country and recipient bank processing times. Citibank Global Transfers between Citibank accounts internationally settle on the same business day when submitted before the applicable processing cut-off of 5:15 PM Eastern Time.
What is Citibank Global Transfer and is it free?
Citibank Global Transfer is a service that allows direct transfer between Citibank accounts held in different countries, processing through Citibank's internal network rather than the SWIFT correspondent banking system. There are no fixed fees for outgoing or incoming CGT transfers. However, if the transfer involves a currency conversion, Citibank applies an exchange rate margin to the conversion, so the transfer is not entirely cost-free when currencies differ.
Is Citibank a good option for international money transfers?
Citibank is appropriate for Citigold and Citi Priority customers who benefit from fee waivers, and for transfers between Citibank accounts via Global Transfer. For standard account holders sending to non-Citibank recipients, the combination of a USD 35 wire fee and a 3% to 5% exchange rate margin makes Citibank consistently more expensive than specialist digital transfer platforms on most corridors and transfer sizes.
