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INTERNATIONAL PERSONAL BANKING


Wachovia is one of the largest international banks in the world today. We have a vast global presence along with the technology and people to help meet your needs. We have provided you with information on some of the most commonly used international transactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Where can I obtain foreign currency?
  2. What is the Euro and how will it affect me if I go to Europe?
  3. Can I use my Check Card in foreign countries?
  4. Can I use your branches and offices overseas for my personal banking needs?
  5. How can I send money overseas to family and friends?

1. Where can I obtain foreign currency?

Visit any of our financial centers to place a currency order. You can also order currency by calling 800-WACHOVIA (800-922-4684), and we will send the currency to the financial center of your choice. If you order directly at a financial center, the currency will be delivered in 24 to 48 hours. If you order over the phone before 1:00pm local time, the currency will arrive at the financial center within 24 to 48 hours, or you can specify that it be delivered to your home. Foreign currency is no longer held at any financial centers, so allow yourself ample time for it to be delivered.

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2. What is the Euro and how will it affect me if I go to Europe?

The Euro is the single new currency of the European Economic Monetary Union (EMU). Effective January 1, 2002, the currency of the countries listed below were replaced with the Euro. These 12 currencies have been withdrawn from circulation. New banknotes and coins have now been issued, however the traditional currencies of these 12 countries (French Franc, Lira, etc.) may still be redeemed or exchanged for the Euro at banks.

If you need to send a foreign exchange wire, check, or draft in any of these 12 currencies, please note that they are now denominated in the Euro. If you are traveling to any of the 12 countries and need foreign currency, you will receive Euros as well. If using an ATM machine in any of these countries, the new Euro will be dispensed.

The official abbreviation for the Euro is "EUR" and the symbol is The Euro Symbol.

The following currencies have now been replaced by the Euro:

ATSAustrian SchillingGRDGreek Drachma
BEFBelgian FrancIEPIrish Punt
DEMGerman DeutschmarkITLItalian Lira
ESPSpanish PesetaLUFLuxembourg Franc
FIMFinnish MarkkaNLGNetherland Guilder
FRFFrench FrancPTEPortuguese Escudo

3. Can I use my Check Card in foreign countries?

You can use your Check Card to make purchases at millions of locations all over the world. You can also withdraw money worldwide at over 890,000 Visa/Plus® ATMs. Money will be dispensed in local currency. An International Service Assessment (ISA) fee of 2% will be applied to each international transaction. To learn more about currency conversion or to use Visa's exchange rate calculator, please visit Visa's currency exchange Web site.

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4. Can I use your branches and offices overseas for my personal banking?

Our branches and offices overseas do not conduct personal business. They serve only corporate and bank customers. You will need to find another bank in the country you are visiting to conduct personal business.

5. How can I send money overseas to family and friends?

As one of the largest international banks in the world today, we can easily help you make payments overseas. You can send either an international wire or an international draft by visiting a local financial center or by calling 800-WACHOVIA (800-922-4684).

  • International Wire*
    A wire is a quick and efficient way to send money overseas. You can specify if you want the funds to be received in U.S. dollars or foreign currency.
  • International Draft
    A draft is a check-like instrument which can be denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currency. Using a draft instead of a wire eliminates the need to supply the beneficiary bank information and account number. You can deliver the draft in person or mail it yourself to the ultimate beneficiary.

For wires, you will need to supply your bank specialist with:

  1. Amount of the wire
  2. Name of the person to whom you are sending the wire (the beneficiary)
  3. Branch location, including the bank name, city, and country. (If you are not familiar with banks in the country to which you are sending wires, view a listing of banks with whom Wachovia maintains relationships; Wachovia can make payment to any of these banks or any other that you specify.)
  4. Account number of the beneficiary

Your account will be debited for the amount of the wire and a separate wire charge, and you will be given a wire reference number. You may want to confirm with your beneficiary that the funds were received.

For drafts, you only need to supply the following:

  1. Amount of the draft
  2. Name of the beneficiary

* Wachovia is prohibited by law from sending wires to the following countries:
  • Cuba
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Libya
  • Sudan
You also need to be aware of the restrictions on sending remittances to Cuba. Allowed are:
  • Family remittances and support payments to close relatives or any members of that relative's household
  • Individual-to-household remittances where there is no family relationship, under the following circumstances:
    • Individuals must be 18 or older, living in the U.S., and not on the list of specially designated nationals published by the United States Department of Treasury - Office of Foreign Assets Control
    • No party to the transaction (remitter or beneficiary) is a senior government or senior communist party official of Cuba or a family member thereof
    • Remittances must not exceed $300 to one household in a three-month period
    • The remitter must complete an affidavit, which can be obtained from the Office of Foreign Assets and Control (OFAC) Web site
  • Two immigration remittances from a U.S. citizen up to $500 each to a close relative in Cuba to enable that relative to emigrate from Cuba to the United States

Wachovia is also prohibited from directly or indirectly providing banking services to any person or entity that has been designated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Information regarding OFAC sanctions programs can be found at www.ustreas.gov/ofac/.

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