MoneyGram can send money directly to a bank account, but only if the receiving bank is in the United States and participates in MoneyGram's direct deposit network

Not every bank accepts MoneyGram transfers. MoneyGram's direct-to-account service works with most major U.S. banks—Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and hundreds of regional and community banks—but some smaller institutions and credit unions do not. Before you send, you need to know whether the receiving bank is on MoneyGram's list. The fastest way to check is to ask the person receiving the money to contact their bank directly, or to call MoneyGram at 1-800-666-3947 and give them the bank's name and routing number.

If the receiving bank does not participate, you have two alternatives: the recipient can pick up the money at a MoneyGram location instead, or you can send it to a MoneyGram-partnered prepaid card account. Neither option puts the money directly into their bank account, but both get the funds to them without requiring a bank transfer.

Key Takeaways

  • MoneyGram transfers to bank accounts work only with participating U.S. banks, and you must confirm the receiving bank is on their network before sending.
  • The receiving person needs to provide their full account number, routing number, and account type (checking or savings) for the transfer to go through.
  • Direct bank transfers through MoneyGram typically take one to two business days, though some banks process them the same day.
  • If the receiving bank does not participate in MoneyGram's network, the recipient can pick up cash at a MoneyGram agent location instead.
  • MoneyGram charges a fee for bank transfers that varies by the amount sent and your location; fees are higher for larger amounts.

What information you need from the recipient

To send money to a bank account through MoneyGram, you will need the recipient to give you four pieces of information: their full legal name (as it appears on the account), their account number, their bank's routing number, and whether the account is checking or savings. If any of this information is wrong—especially the account number or routing number—the money will not reach the intended account and you will have to contact MoneyGram to trace it.

The recipient should double-check their routing number with their bank or by looking at the bottom left of a check. Many people confuse their account number with their routing number, so asking them to verify both separately prevents delays. MoneyGram will ask you to confirm this information when you initiate the transfer, so take the time to get it right the first time.

How to send the money and what it costs

You can send money to a bank account through MoneyGram in three ways: online at MoneyGram.com, through the MoneyGram mobile app, or in person at a MoneyGram agent location (such as Walmart, CVS, or a local money services store). Online and mobile transfers are faster and let you send from home; in-person transfers let you pay with cash if you do not have a debit card or credit card.

MoneyGram's fees for bank transfers are not fixed—they depend on how much you are sending and where you are sending from. A transfer of $100 to a U.S. bank account typically costs between $5 and $10, while a $500 transfer might cost $15 to $25. The exact fee appears on screen before you confirm the transfer, so you will know the total cost before your money leaves. Some MoneyGram agents (particularly Walmart locations) offer promotional rates on certain transfer amounts, so it is worth asking if you are sending in person.

How long the money takes to arrive

Most MoneyGram transfers to U.S. bank accounts arrive within one to two business days. Some banks process them faster—occasionally the same day—but you should not count on same-day arrival. The timeline depends partly on when you send the money (transfers sent after 5 p.m. in your time zone may not process until the next business day) and partly on how quickly the receiving bank processes incoming transfers.

If the recipient needs the money urgently, ask them to contact their bank to confirm whether MoneyGram transfers are processed on the same day or the next business day. Some banks have a cutoff time for same-day processing, so timing matters. If speed is critical, cash pickup at a MoneyGram location is faster—the recipient can pick up the money within minutes of you sending it.

What to do if the transfer fails or the money does not arrive

If the receiving bank rejects the transfer because the account number or routing number is wrong, MoneyGram will hold the money and contact you. You will then have the option to correct the information and resend it, or to request a refund to your original payment method. This process usually takes three to five business days once MoneyGram receives the rejection from the bank.

If the money does not arrive after two business days and the bank has not rejected it, contact MoneyGram's customer service at 1-800-666-3947 with your reference number (which you received when you sent the money). MoneyGram can trace the transfer and confirm whether the receiving bank has received it. If the bank received it but has not posted it to the account, MoneyGram will ask you to have the recipient contact their bank directly—the delay is then on the bank's side, not MoneyGram's.

Alternatives if the receiving bank does not participate

If you discover the recipient's bank is not on MoneyGram's network, you have two main options. The first is to have the recipient pick up the money in cash at a MoneyGram agent location. This is faster (money is available within minutes) and does not require the bank to participate. The recipient will need a valid government-issued ID to pick up the money, and they will need the reference number you receive when you send it.

The second option is to send the money to a MoneyGram-partnered prepaid card account instead. MoneyGram partners with several prepaid card providers, and the money can be loaded onto a card within one to two business days. The recipient would then be able to withdraw the money from an ATM or use the card to make purchases. This option works if the recipient has or is willing to open a prepaid card account, but it is not the same as a direct bank transfer.

International transfers and other limitations

MoneyGram's direct bank transfer service is available only for transfers within the United States. If you are sending money from outside the U.S. or to a bank account outside the U.S., you cannot use the direct bank transfer option. International transfers through MoneyGram go to cash pickup locations only, not to bank accounts. If you need to send money internationally to a bank account, you will need to use a different service such as a wire transfer through your own bank or an international money transfer company.

There are also limits on how much you can send through MoneyGram in a single transaction and within a certain time period. These limits vary by location and by how you are sending the money (online, mobile, or in person), but generally you can send up to $10,000 per transaction. If you need to send more than that, you will need to make multiple transfers or use a different method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send money to a savings account, or only to checking?

MoneyGram can send to either a checking or savings account, as long as the bank participates in their network. You just need to tell MoneyGram which type of account it is when you send the money. The routing number and account number are the same for both types, so the process is identical.

What happens if I send money to the wrong account by mistake?

If you realize the mistake before the money arrives, contact MoneyGram when ready at 1-800-666-3947 with your reference number. If the transfer has not yet been processed, MoneyGram may be able to stop it. If it has already been processed and posted to the wrong account, you will need to contact that bank and ask them to reverse the transfer—MoneyGram cannot retrieve money that has already been deposited into an account.

Do I need to set up an account with MoneyGram to send money to a bank account?

No. You can send money through MoneyGram without creating an account, though creating one online makes it faster to send repeat transfers. If you send in person at a MoneyGram agent location, you do not need an account at all—you just provide the recipient's information and pay the fee.

Can the recipient see the money is coming from MoneyGram before it arrives?

Not usually. The money will appear in their bank account as a deposit, but the bank's description of the transaction may not clearly identify it as coming from MoneyGram. If the recipient is expecting the money, they should know to look for a deposit from MoneyGram or from the agent location where you sent it from (such as Walmart). If they are unsure, they can contact their bank with the reference number you provide.

Is sending money to a bank account through MoneyGram safer than cash pickup?

Both methods are find as long as you use MoneyGram's official channels (their website, app, or authorized agent locations). Bank transfers reduce the risk that the recipient will lose the cash or that someone else will pick it up, but they do require the recipient to have a bank account. If the recipient does not have a bank account, cash pickup is the only option.