Does Timing Matter for Cross-Border Payments?

msnDoes Timing Matter for Cross-Border Payments?

When people think about sending money internationally, the focus is usually on fees and exchange rates. But there’s another factor that can make or break your transfer: timing. When you send money can be just as important as how much you send.

Banking Hours Still Set the Pace

International transfers often pass through several banks, each with their own hours and time zones. Send money from New York to London on a Tuesday afternoon and it may land just as U.K. banks are closing, adding a day’s delay.

Timing matters even more at the end of the week. A Friday evening transfer is essentially “on hold” until Monday, while one sent Thursday morning could arrive much sooner. Many banks also have strict cut-off times—usually between 2–5 PM local time. Miss it by a minute, and your transfer is delayed until the next day.

The Overlap Advantage

Foreign exchange markets are most active when major financial centers are open at the same time. The sweet spot is 8 AM–12 PM Eastern Time, when both London and New York are trading. Send money during this window and you’re more likely to get better exchange rates and quicker settlement. Send at 2 AM, and you may face slower processing and weaker rates.

Regional Timing Differences

  • Asia-Pacific: Most banks operate strictly on local business hours, though some offer premium weekend services.
  • Europe: Euro transfers are fast under SEPA during business hours, but cross-currency transfers still follow traditional timing rules.
  • Americas: The Federal Reserve’s hours determine much of USD movement. To ensure same-day processing, transfers generally must be submitted before 6 PM ET.

How FinTech Is Changing the Game

Same payment technology providers like Almond FinTech, Wise, and Remitly are reshaping cross-border payments by holding funds in multiple countries and using faster payment rails. This allows them to operate 24/7/365, bypassing many of the old constraints.

However, they’re not immune to limits. Large transfers often require human review, and many countries only process inbound transfers during local banking hours. Compliance checks, especially for anti–money laundering, almost always happen during the workweek. A flagged transaction on Friday evening may sit until Monday morning.

Playing the Timing Game Smart

So, does timing matter? Absolutely. While the effect depends on where you’re sending money, how much, and through which provider, understanding timing can save you both time and money.

  • For routine transfers: Aim for weekday business hours when both sending and receiving markets are open.
  • For urgent transfers: Know your bank’s cut-off times and plan accordingly.

The financial industry is gradually moving toward 24/7 instant payments. Initiatives like FedNow in the U.S. and similar programs worldwide will make timing less of an obstacle in the future. But for now, it’s still a factor you can’t afford to ignore.

About Almond FinTech

Almond FinTech delivers fast, cost-effective foreign exchange transactions using stablecoins and blockchain technology. Our platform enables near real-time fiat-to-fiat transfers across multiple blockchain networks, providing global organizations with efficient, reliable, and cost-saving cross-border payment solutions.