GeoffM

Slightly concerned as, in a "stable door shutting" moment, thought to look up the routing code for an international money transfer I'd done earlier today and found the branch wasn't located where I thought it would be . Lloyds weren't able to look up the routing code I was given, despite them saying they could check that part of it when I enquired a couple of days earlier. So when I look it up, a SoCal area branch of Wells Fargo seems to be in Minneapolis, MN! I was slightly less panicked when I noticed that Minneapolis, MN appears to have literally hundreds of branches, all in one city! Must be more WFs than 7-11s on every street corner!

Is that normal? I thought routing codes were like UK sort codes where it would identify a specific branch!

Michael

I believe that all Wells Fargo international wire transfers use WFBIUS6S. You should call the bank to make sure you aren't supposed to use 121000248.

The routing numbers of different branches are for domestic electronic (ACH) transfers.

https://www.wellsfargo.com/help/routing_number/

md95065

Yes, international wire transfers to US banks generally come into the US through one or two specific routing numbers which the bank uses to handle wire transfers and are then subsequently transferred to the appropriate account at the bank.

For example, incoming wire transfers to Bank of America accounts in California all use 026009593 which happens to map to a BofA office in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The bank's web site will normally indicate the appropriate number to use for international wire transfers.

cranston

Routing codes are for areas and not specific branches.

Do you have a checkbook? Use the routing code on that and all should be fine.

GeoffM

Oh dear. Let's hope the "expert advisor" worked out what was required then. Thanks all.

tonrob

Don't worry. I'm sure it will turn up eventually.

Tarkak9

Don't panic yet. It should be able to be traced but Lloyds may have to initiate that... if there is an error, likely it will bounce back to Lloyds or its sitting in WF's generic clearing account. (branches have a generic account before being deposited into your account so it may also be sitting in there too; afterall, they like to play with your money b4 giving it to you). Get the tracking/wire #. ... talk to your bank manager to look into it - may them work for their money!!

GeoffM

WF have taken the money ($15 fee for receiving; Lloyds was £20 to send amounts under £5,000; slightly cheaper than Western Union and Moneygram; recipient wasn't PayPal-savvy). I'll see on Wednesday whether it has arrived!

cranston

open an account with a broker such as XE.com

Lisa A Burrows

I know this is an older thread and you may have this all sorted out now but I use the Post Office as there is absolutely no charge for transfers except your transfer cannot be below £250.00 at a time. They will also reimburse you any bank charges I hope it all worked out for you, I use Wells Fargo as well

GeoffM

That's useful to know, thanks. I can't actually check right now whether it's arrived - hopefully on Sunday when I get back home and can phone the relative.

GeoffM

<closure>It arrived! </closure>