Guatemalan banks do NOT offer pure international ACH (the ACH network is US-exclusive). What they offer is SWIFT (international wire) with cost $25-$50 USD per send, settlement 1-5 business days. For sends under $5,000, Wise and Remitly are typically 3-5× cheaper. For larger sends, negotiate with your bank — BI, BAM, BAC, and Banrural allow transfers from the app up to daily limits.
“International ACH” is one of the most confusing terms in Guatemalan banking. The ACH (Automated Clearing House) network is a US internal payments system — there is no “international ACH” as such. When you talk about transferring money between Guatemala and another country, what’s actually happening is a SWIFT wire (between international banks) or, if it goes through Wise/Remitly, a combination of US-side-ACH + Guatemala-side-domestic-system that the remittance service abstracts for you.
This page explains which Guatemalan banks offer international sends (SWIFT), how much it costs, how long it takes, and when the bank wins vs. a remittance service. For diaspora-to-family sends see also Wise vs Remitly.
Concept: ACH vs SWIFT vs Remittance Services
| System | Coverage | Typical cost | Settlement | Available from Guatemala |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACH (US network) | Only between US accounts | $0.20-$3 USD | Same day - 2 days | No directly |
| SWIFT | Worldwide, between banks | $25-$50 USD + intermediaries | 1-5 business days | Yes, at all major banks |
| Wise | 70+ countries | $1-$10 USD + 0.5-1.5% FX | Minutes - 24 hrs | Yes (receive from US; send limited) |
| Remitly | Mainly US → Guatemala | Variable, free with “Economy” | Shown in Remitly’s quote | Yes (receive from US) |
| Western Union / MoneyGram | Worldwide | $5-$30 + 2-5% FX | Minutes | Yes (receive and send) |
Conclusion: If you need to send money abroad from your Guatemalan bank account, your only bank-to-bank option is SWIFT. If you want something “ACH-style” (cheap, electronic), use Wise or Remitly as a bridge.
Guatemalan Banks Offering International Sends (SWIFT)
Reference data May 2026. Verify with each bank — commissions vary by amount, destination, and bank relationship.
| Bank | Outgoing cost | Incoming cost | From app | Daily app limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banco Industrial (BI) | $35 + intermediaries | $20 | Yes | $25,000 USD | Bi en Línea has the most mature SWIFT flow |
| BAM (Agromercantil) | $30 + intermediaries | $16 | Yes | $15,000-$20,000 USD | Strong digital model; clear flow |
| Banrural | $25-$30 + intermediaries | $12-$15 | Yes (limited) | $10,000 USD | Lowest commission, especially incoming |
| BAC Credomatic | $30 + intermediaries | $17 | Yes | $20,000 USD | Good digital experience |
| G&T Continental | $35 + intermediaries | $18 | Limited | Branch required for most | Branch recommended |
| Banco Promerica | $35 + intermediaries | $20 | Limited | Branch required | Slower processing |
| Bantrab | $40 + intermediaries | $25 | No | N/A | Branch only |
| BI Banco (Inmobiliario) | $40 + intermediaries | $20 | No | N/A | Branch only |
Intermediary charges: A SWIFT transfer typically passes through 1-3 correspondent intermediary banks. Each one can deduct $10-$25 USD from the send. The final amount received by the beneficiary can be $30-$95 less than what you sent. Ask your bank if the “OUR” (sender covers all charges) or “BEN” (beneficiary covers them) option applies.
When to Use the Bank vs Wise/Remitly
Use Wise or Remitly when:
- The send is under $5,000 USD.
- Going Guatemala → US (Wise especially good for outgoing; Remitly more incoming-focused).
- You want fast settlement (minutes in many cases).
- You don’t want a branch visit or signing papers.
Use the bank’s SWIFT when:
- The send is over $10,000 USD (where bank FX margin starts to compete).
- Destination is outside North America/Europe (Asia, Africa, Oceania) where Wise may not operate well.
- You need formal bank proof (transfers for investments, property purchases, legal matters).
- It’s a business-to-business send (commercial invoice with SWIFT MT103 as backup).
Always compare total cost:
Example: sending $2,000 USD from Guatemala to the US.
- BI Bank via SWIFT: $35 outgoing + $15 intermediary + $10 receiver = $60 in charges. Beneficiary receives ~$1,940. Settlement 2-3 days.
- Wise: $8 commission + 0.6% FX margin ≈ $20 total. Beneficiary receives ~$1,980. Settlement 1-24 hours.
- Difference: $40 USD in favor of Wise (2% of the send).
Example 2: sending $50,000 USD to buy property in Florida.
- BI SWIFT: $35 + $20 + $10 = $65 in charges + ~1.5% negotiated FX = $815 total.
- Wise (if it accepts the amount): $50 commission + 0.6% FX = $350 total.
- Wise still wins, but some banks in Guatemala negotiate FX for large sends if you ask your relationship manager — it can drop to 1.0% or less, cutting the difference.
Receiving International Transfers (Incoming SWIFT)
When a family member or client in the US, Europe, or another country sends you money via SWIFT, costs on the Guatemala side:
- Receiving bank commission: $12-$25 USD (Banrural is lowest, BI Banco the highest).
- FX margin if auto-converted to quetzales: 1.5-3% against you vs Banguat rate.
- Settlement time: 1-3 business days from when the sending bank initiates.
Trick to minimize receiving costs:
- Open a USD account at Banrural, BI, or BAC.
- Have the sender remit in USD (not quetzales).
- Receive into your USD account without forced conversion.
- Convert to quetzales the day you need it, choosing the most favorable exchange house or app (sometimes the bank itself gives a better rate if you negotiate).
This saves the 1.5-3% automatic bank FX margin.
SWIFT Codes of Major Guatemalan Banks
For someone to send you money internationally, you need to give them:
- Your full name (as it appears on DPI/passport).
- Account number (not IBAN — Guatemala does not use IBAN).
- Bank SWIFT/BIC code.
- Bank address (main branch or any major branch).
- Your address (sometimes required by sender bank).
| Bank | SWIFT/BIC code (reference) |
|---|---|
| Banco Industrial | INDLGTGC |
| BAM (Agromercantil) | AGROGTGC |
| Banrural | BRRLGTGC |
| BAC Credomatic | CRGEGTGC |
| G&T Continental | GTCOGTGC |
| Banco Promerica | PCOLGTGC |
Important: Verify the current SWIFT code with your bank before giving instructions — codes can have branch variants (3-character suffix). If SWIFT is incorrect, the transfer rejects after several days and charges are not always reimbursed.
Common Errors
- Not specifying who pays charges (OUR vs BEN vs SHA). If your sender uses “BEN” (beneficiary pays all), you can receive $50-$95 less. Agree on “OUR” (sender pays all) when exact amount matters.
- Forgetting the purpose of the transfer. SAT and banks may request source/destination documentation. For sends over $5,000 USD, have the invoice, contract, or clear reason ready.
- Sending after the bank cutoff. If you send after 12 PM Guatemala, the transfer processes the next business day.
- Not verifying the receiving bank’s SWIFT. Most common error that delays transfers 3-5 extra days.
For Diaspora: Sending Money to Guatemala
If you’re in the US sending money to family in Guatemala, the Wise vs Remitly comparison tells you which wins by case. Practical summary:
- Sends under $1,000: Remitly Economy is typically cheapest (no commission).
- Sends $1,000-$5,000: Wise wins on lower FX margin.
- Sends over $5,000: Compare with bank SWIFT; some banks negotiate.
- Urgent send (same day): Western Union or Remitly Express; both expensive but fast.
If you return permanently to Guatemala and need to decide whether to keep your US account, see returning-keeping-us-bank-account.
Related Steps
- NIT — your bank account requires it to receive or send international.
- CUI/NIT check — verify active status before large operations.
- USD/Q exchange rate today — reference for conversions.
Keep Reading
- USD Accounts Comparison — receive USD without forced conversion.
- International Wire Transfers — banks vs Wise/Remitly comparison.
- USD Account Requirements by Bank — bank-by-bank requirements for USD account.
- Wise vs Remitly Guatemala — most-used comparison by diaspora.
- Returning: Keeping US Bank Account — what to do with your US account when relocating.
- CDP Rates Comparison — what to do with dollars once they arrive.
- Bank closure calendar and holiday ACH rules — the Junta Monetaria asueto calendar, and why batch Guate ACH stops on those days while instant ACH keeps running up to Q20,000.
Affiliate links — we earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend services we'd suggest to our own family.
Sources: Superintendencia de Bancos de Guatemala, Banco de Guatemala, fee schedules of the 8 banks. Reference figures — SWIFT charges shift with correspondents and market. Verify with your bank before sending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does international ACH exist from Guatemala?
Yes, but limited. Guatemalan banks do NOT use the US ACH network directly — what they offer is SWIFT wires (international transfers) or, in some cases, integrations with remittance services that move money via ACH on the US side. For direct bank-to-bank ACH-style sends (cheaper than SWIFT), the most common option for diaspora is Wise or Remitly as a bridge.
What's the difference between ACH and SWIFT?
ACH (Automated Clearing House) is the US electronic payments network — low cost ($0.20-$3 USD) but only works between US accounts. SWIFT is the international network for transfers between banks in different countries, more expensive ($15-$50 USD per send) and slower (1-5 business days). From Guatemala outbound, sends are typically SWIFT, not pure ACH.
How much does an international transfer from Guatemala cost?
Outgoing SWIFT transfers from Guatemalan banks typically cost $25-$50 USD in sender bank commission, plus possible intermediary bank charges ($10-$20) and receiving bank charges ($10-$25). Total: $35-$95 USD per transfer. Wise and Remitly are significantly cheaper for small sends (under $5,000 USD). Reference figures — verify with your bank.
How long does an outgoing international transfer from Guatemala take?
SWIFT transfers from Guatemalan banks: typically 1-3 business days if destination is the US or Western Europe; 3-5 days if Asia, Latin America, or Africa. Transfers via Wise/Remitly from Guatemala to the US: minutes to 24 hours. The bank cutoff (deadline to process same-day) is usually 12 PM in Guatemala.
Which Guatemala banks offer international transfers from their app?
BI (Bi en Línea), BAM, BAC Credomatic, and Banrural allow outgoing SWIFT transfers from the app or online banking up to a daily limit (typically $10,000-$25,000 USD). Above that, a branch visit is required. G&T Continental and Promerica usually require in-branch for international sends. Confirm limits with your bank.
Is Wise or Remitly cheaper than the bank for sending money?
For sends under $5,000 USD: almost always yes. Wise and Remitly charge $1-$10 USD commission plus 0.5-1.5% FX margin, typically 1-2% total of the send. Banks charge $35-$95 USD in fixed fees + 2-3% FX margin. For larger sends ($10,000+), bank SWIFT can compete better through negotiated FX margins.
Do I need a USD account to receive or send international transfers?
Not necessarily. You can receive USD into a quetzal account (the bank converts automatically at that day’s rate, with 1.5-3% margin against you). If you want to keep dollars without forced conversion, you need a USD account. For outbound, most banks let you send from a quetzal account with automatic conversion.
