Inter International Transfer vs. Banks: Which Option Saves You More?

Sending money internationally—whether to support family, pay for education, or fund investments—has always been a challenge. Between hidden fees, inflated exchange rates, and long processing times, many people end up paying more than they realize.

So, the big question is: what’s the most affordable way to transfer money abroad—through Inter International Transfer or a traditional bank?

The Cost of Sending Money Internationally

When it comes to international transfers, three main factors directly affect how much arrives at the destination:

  • Flat transfer fees: With traditional banks, these can range anywhere from $8 to $40 per transaction.
  • Unfavorable exchange rates: Banks and transfer services often don’t use the real market exchange rate you see online. Instead, they add a markup—sometimes up to 5%—which makes your transfer more expensive.
  • Hidden charges: Intermediary or “middleman” banks that handle the transfer may deduct fees along the way without warning.

There’s also processing time to consider. While banks may take 2–5 business days to complete a transfer, digital solutions like Inter can process most transfers in just a few hours.

How Inter International Transfer Works

Inter International Transfer was created to make sending money abroad simpler and more affordable. Everything is done through the Inter Super App in just a few clicks:

  • Transparent pricing: When you send using the balance in your Inter account, there are no extra fees.
  • Fair exchange rate: Conversion is based on the real market exchange rate, with a competitive spread (usually between 0.99% and 1.25%).
  • Regulatory security: All transfers comply with U.S. regulations (FDIC/FinCEN) as well as international standards.

Banks: Higher Fees and Less Transparency

Traditional banks remain a common choice for many people, but they tend to be more expensive:

  • Service fees: Often $20–$40 per transfer.
  • SWIFT network costs: Most banks rely on the SWIFT system, which adds extra intermediary bank charges.
  • High exchange markups: Sometimes as much as 5% above the market rate.
  • Slow processing: Typically, 2–5 business days before funds are available internationally.

On top of that, transparency is a major pain point: senders often don’t know the final amount their recipient will receive until the transfer is completed.

Inter International Transfer vs. Banks: Direct Comparison

See how Inter International Transfer stands out from traditional banks:

Tips to Save Even More on International Transfers

Beyond choosing Inter International Transfer,here are a couple of ways to maximize your savings:

Take advantage of favorable exchange rates

Use the Inter app to track exchange rates in real time and send money when the rate works in your favor.

Plan larger transfers

Since transfers with account balance don’t carry fees, combining smaller transfers into one larger transfer can help you save even more.

Transfers made using the balance in the account don’t carry any type of fees.

Why Inter International Transfer Is the Smart Choice

Sending money internationally through traditional banks can be expensive, slow, and unpredictable. Inter International Transferoffers a simpler, more transparent, and cost-effective solution—ensuring more of your money reaches its destination.

With low fees, competitive exchange rates, fast processing, and multilingual support in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, Inter makes it easy to send money abroad for family, education, or investments without complications.

By choosing Inter International Transfer, you get full control of your transfer, avoid unpleasant surprises, and manage everything directly through the Inter Super App.

Open your account today and discover how simple, secure, and smart it is to save on every international transfer. 

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InterCommunications

Inter (NASDAQ: INTR) is the pioneer financial super app serving over 37.7 million consumers across the Americas. The Inter&Co ecosystem offers a broad array of services, including banking, investments, mortgages, credit, gift cards, and cross-border tools. The super app also boasts a dynamic marketplace, linking consumers with shopping discounts, cashback rewards, and exclusive access to marquee events across the globe. The company is expanding rapidly in the United States, as evidenced by its naming rights sponsorship of the Inter&Co Stadium that hosts soccer teams “Orlando City” and “Orlando Pride”. Focused on innovation and captivating member experiences, Inter&Co delivers comprehensive financial and lifestyle solutions to meet the evolving needs of modern consumers.

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INTER & CO PAYMENTS, INC., doing business as Inter (“Inter”), is a financial technology company, a registered money services business (MSB) and a licensed money transmitter, not a bank (NMLS ID #907330). Massachusetts Foreign Transmittal Agency (License #FT114374-100). Rhode Island Currency Transmitter (License # 20203960CT). Click here to access our NMLS licenses.

Banking services are provided by Community Federal Savings Bank (“CFSB”), Member FDIC and deposits are held by CFSB and Wells Fargo Bank, Members FDIC. Inter is not a depository institution, deposits held at CFSB and Wells Fargo are not eligible for FDIC insurance.

The Inter US Checking account is provided by Continental Bank, Member FDIC. Inter US Checking accounts are FDIC-insured up to US$250,000. Inter US Checking account funds are eligible for FDIC insurance up to the allowable limit through Continental Bank, Member FDIC, and other program banks. Coverage is subject to aggregation of all of each account holder's funds held on deposit at Continental Bank or at each of its program banks. Funds generated through Inter's payment processing services are generally available in the Inter US Checking account balance immediately after a payment is processed. Fund availability times may vary due to technical issues. Inter is not a bank. Inter US Checking accounts do not provide monthly paper statements and do not issue physical paper checks. Inter US Checking accounts are not interest-bearing accounts.

FDIC deposit insurance coverage only protects against the failure of an FDIC-insured deposit institution. If you have an Inter US Checking account, up to US$250,000 of your balance may be covered by FDIC insurance on a pass through basis through Continental Bank, Member FDIC, subject to aggregation of the account holder's funds held at Continental Bank and if certain conditions have been met.

Please see your account information to know where your account is maintained. Inter US Checking accounts at Continental Bank are only available for US residents, upon informing a Social Security or Individual Taxpayer Identification number.

For more information regarding your Inter Account, view the Inter Account Agreement at https://us.inter.co/compliance?interandco-account-agreement .

For more information regarding your Inter US Checking account, view the Inter US Checking Account Agreement at https://us.inter.co/compliance?inter-us-checking-account-agreement .

For more information regarding FDIC insurance, please visit the FDIC website at https://www.fdic.gov/resources/deposit-insurance .

To provide you with the Inter Account and the Inter US Checking account, we share your information with CFSB and Continental. View the CFSB Privacy Notice here and the Continental Privacy Notice here for details.

Mortgage services are provided by Inter US Finance, LLC (NMLS ID #1161874), an affiliate of Inter & Co Payments, Inc.

Securities brokerage services are provided by Inter&Co Securities LLC, Member FINRA/ SIPC , an affiliate of Inter & Co Payments, Inc. and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Inter&Co US Holding. View important information and disclosures here .

If you have any questions or concerns regarding any transaction, please write to us at 501 Brickell Key Drive, Suite 202, Miami, FL 33131, or by email at help@inter.co or by calling us at 1-888-305-7264 .

THIS NEXT SECTION IS APPLICABLE FOR US RESIDENTS ONLY. IF YOU ARE NOT A RESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PLEASE DISREGARD THIS SECTION.

The Inter US Mastercard® Credit Card is issued by Continental Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated and may be used wherever Mastercard debit is accepted. The Inter US Mastercard® Credit Card is issued by Continental Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated, and may be used wherever Mastercard is accepted. For more information about the Inter US Mastercard credit and debit cards please see the applicable cardholder agreements here .

THIS NEXT SECTION IS APPLICABLE FOR NON-US RESIDENTS ONLY. IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PLEASE DISREGARD THIS SECTION.

The Inter Mastercard® International Debit Card (“Global Card”) is issued by the international branch of Banco Inter S.A. in the Cayman Islands, authorized to operate as a category “B” banking institution by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority – CIMA (“Cayman Branch”), pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated, linked to a US dollar checking account in the Cayman Islands maintained by the Cayman Branch (“Cayman Account”). For more information about the Cayman Account and the Global Card offered by the Cayman Branch, see the Cayman Account and Global Card Agreement, available here .

The Inter Mastercard® International Credit Card (“Global Credit Card”) is issued by the Cayman Branch, pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated. For more information about the Global Credit Card offered by the Cayman Branch, see the Global Credit Card Agreement, available here .

The Cayman Account, Global Card and Global Credit Card are offered by the international branch of Banco Inter S.A. in the Cayman Islands, an affiliate of Inter, and are not features of the Global Account nor are they offered by Inter & Co Payments, Inc. The Cayman Account, Global Card and Global Credit Card are not available for U.S. customers.

The Cayman Branch will gather your information in order to offer you the Cayman Account, the Global Card and the Global Credit Card. Personal data will be subject to the Data Protection Act of the Cayman Islands, as well as the General Data Protection Law. To learn more about how we protect your personal data, see our Privacy Policy, available at https://inter.co/politica-de-privacidade/ .

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