How long does a standard interbank transfer take? Process & ways to shorten the time

In the era of digital transactions, transferring money between banks has become more popular than ever. However, not everyone clearly understands how long a standard interbank transfer takes, as the time it takes to receive the money can vary depending on the method, time frame, and transaction date. The article below by SeABank will help you clearly understand the processing procedure, the influencing factors, and solutions to help transfer money faster and safer.

Quick summary: Standard Interbank Transfer is a form of money transfer between two banks through the interbank payment system (Citad), only processed during business hours.

Processing mechanism:Transactions are batch processed and processed in batches during the day, not instantaneous like 24/7 fast money transfers.

Processing time:

• Maximum 24 business hours from successful debit transaction.
• Excluding overtime, weekends and holidays.

Specific time to receive money:

• Before 12:00 PM: Money may be received in the morning or midday of the same day.
• Before 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Usually received on the same working day.
• After 4:00 PM: Usually credited the next morning.
• Weekends/Holidays: May be delayed 1–3 days or up to 1 week if it falls during Tet (Lunar New Year).

Solutions to help transfer money faster:

•  Prioritize 24/7 fast transfers for instant receipt at all times.
•  Perform transactions during administrative hours (before 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM).
•  Carefully check the recipient's information to avoid input errors.
•  Choose a bank with a strong digital platform like SeABank to limit congestion and ensure stable transactions even during peak hours.

1. What is a regular interbank money transfer?

Standard Interbank Transfer is a form of money transfer between two accounts at two different banks, in which the transaction is processed during bank working hours and through the batch processing interbank payment system.

In Vietnam, banks connect through the interbank payment system to exchange money transfer orders; these orders are usually pooled and processed in periodic “batches” during the day.

Money transfers are usually processed through interbank payment systems during business hours.

1.1. Batch processing mechanism

When a customer makes a money transfer order, the sender's bank will check the information (account number, balance, limit, risk) and then record the order into the internal system. Valid orders are grouped into a group (batch) and sent to the interbank payment system at predetermined times/periods. Not all orders are sent immediately, grouping orders helps reduce system load and optimize operating costs but at the same time increases latency compared to instant money transfers.

The interbank payment system will perform reconciliation, clearing and transfer money to the beneficiary bank according to the processing schedule. After the beneficiary bank receives the order and checks, the money will be credited to the recipient's account.

1.2. Detailed steps in a regular money transfer transaction

The process of bank transfers, whether domestic or inter-bank, is carried out in standardized steps to ensure accuracy, safety and compliance with payment regulations. Below are the detailed steps in a typical money transfer transaction:

• Initiate transaction: Customers enter information and verify orders at the sending bank.
• Internal audit: The sending bank verifies the balance, limit, beneficiary information and assesses the transaction risk.
• Batching: Valid orders are collected and entered into the processing batch during the next interbank settlement time frame.
• Transfer via interbank system: The order is reconciled and forwarded to the beneficiary bank via the electronic payment system.
• Confirm and credit: The beneficiary bank checks the order and credits the recipient's account; the system sends a completion notice to the sending bank.

1.3. Processing time: “Within 24 working hours”

Because the transaction must go through the order collection and batch processing step, the maximum time for the recipient to receive the money is usually agreed to be within 24 working hours from the time the transaction is successfully deducted from the sender's account.

“24 business hours” here does not mean 24 consecutive hours but is calculated according to the working days of the payment system, i.e. not including Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays (in case the system only operates during business hours). Therefore, an order sent at the end of the business day may only be processed on the next batch, resulting in a credit to the following business day.

1.4. The difference between Citad and 24/7 fast money transfer

Although both are forms of interbank money transfer, these two methods have distinct differences in processing time, frequency of operation and scope of application:

Note: Many customers mistakenly believe that CITAD operates 24/7. In fact, the system only operates during business hours on State Bank working days, so orders made after hours or on weekends will be processed on the next working day.next.

Express money transfers allow you to receive money instantly, while regular money transfers require processing within a time frame.

1.5. Exceptions and Notes

In some situations, money transfer transactions may not be processed immediately due to objective factors or system security control requirements. Specifically:

• Weekends and holidays: Transactions made outside of bank working hours or on holidays will be processed on next business day, resulting in slower than usual crediting times.
• System failure or security check: In case of technical problems with the payment system, or the transaction is flagged by the system as requiring verification (e.g. large value, unusual beneficiary information), the order may be blocked. hold for inspection or return after verification.
• Transaction information discrepancy: Entering the wrong account number, bank code, or recipient's full name can cause the order to be suspended or returned, prolonging the processing time. Therefore, customers need to carefully check the information before confirming the transfer order.

1.6. Recommendations for customers

• If you need the recipient to receive money urgently, use the bank's 24/7 express money transfer service.
• If using a regular transfer, make the transaction early in the business day (before the bank's cut-off time, usually 15:00–16:00) to increase the chance of the order being processed the same day.
• Double check beneficiary information before confirming the order to avoid data entry errors that cause transaction suspension.
• If the transaction has not arrived after 24 business hours, contact the sending bank to check the status and cause of the delay.

2. Specific time to receive money when transferring money regularly

The time it takes for the recipient to receive the money depends on the time of the transaction and the bank's working schedule. Here are the most common time frames:

2.1. During working hours (Monday - Friday)

2.2. Outside of business hours, weekends and holidays 

Note:If you need to transfer money urgently, you should not make the transaction onend of Friday or before a holiday, as the transaction will only be processed when the bank reopens.

3. Factors affecting the speed of money transfer often

Although money transfers are still a popular form, receiving money can be slow for a number of reasons:

• Money transfer method: Transactions through the CITAD system are processed according to a periodic order collection cycle, so they depend on the processing time frame of each bank and the time of order transmission during the day.
• Banking system failure:When the banking system is enjoying technical errors or maintenance, funds may be temporarily suspended or returned to the sender's account.
• Time of transaction: Transactions made late in the day, on weekends or during holidays are often delayed due to inconsistent processing times.
• Large transaction value: For high-value transactions, banks often need more verification time to ensure safety and avoid fraud risks.
• Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Check: If a transaction is flagged by the system as a suspected violation of AML regulations, the order may be placed on hold to verify the sender, recipient, and transaction purpose information before being processed.

Factors such as the system, time and transaction value all affect the speed of money transfer.

4. Solution to help transfer money faster

In reality, money transfers between banks may experience a certain delay due to the processing time limit of the Citad system or due to the weekend or holiday. However, customers can completely proactively shorten the waiting time with the following solutions.

4.1. Prioritize using 24/7 fast money transfer service

The 24/7 fast money transfer service is the optimal choice to help the recipient receive money immediately, regardless of time or holidays. This system operates continuously and connects directly between domestic banks, helping to process transactions in seconds.

Customers using fast money transfer not only save time but also avoid the risk of "hanging money" due to slow processing in the Citad system. Most banks, including SeABank, have integrated 24/7 fast money transfer on digital banking applications, providing a convenient and absolutely safe experience.

4.2. Conduct transactions during business hours

If forced to use the regular money transfer method, customers should prioritize making transactions during business hours (from 8:00 to before 15:00–16:00) on working days from Monday to Friday.

Transfer money during business hours to get your transaction processed quickly and receive money the same day

During this timeframe, the Citad system will process the transaction in batches and transfer the funds to the beneficiary bank on the same day. Transfers after business hours, especially in the evening or on weekends, will cause the transaction to be postponed to the next business day.

4.3. Double check the recipient's information before verifying.

One of the common reasons for delayed or reversed transactions is entering the wrong account number, bank name, or beneficiary name.

Therefore, before confirming the transfer, customers need to carefully review all information to ensure accuracy. Especially when transacting via Citad, incorrect information can cause the money to be "suspended" or take many days to refund. Careful checking not only saves time but also ensures account security.

4.4. Choose a bank with a strong digital platform

The performance of the banking system also directly affects the speed ofdegreeTransaction processing. Banks with modern technology platforms like SeABank are able to maintain stable processing speeds, limiting network congestion even during peak hours or holidays.

With a comprehensive digital transformation strategy, SeABank has been recognized many times by prestigious organizations, typically "Outstanding Digital Transformation Enterprise" at Vietnam Digital Awards (VDCA) and Sao Khue Award 2025 - 5-star Digital Utility Category for SeAMobile.

Thanks to its strong technology platform and stable operations, SeABank provides customers with a safe, fast and seamless transaction experience on all digital channels.

SeABank digital bank helps transactions to be fast, safe and convenient anytime, anywhere

Using SeABank's digital banking service, customers can rest assured to transact anytime, anywhere, easily check transfer status and receive instant notifications when money arrives at the beneficiary's account.

In general, transferring money between banks usually takes from a few dozen minutes to 24 working hours, depending on the transaction time and the processing system of each bank. To save time and ensure safety, customers should use SeABank's 24/7 fast money transfer service, allowing transactions anytime, anywhere, including holidays or Tet. Experience SeABank Digital Banking now to transfer money instantly, safely and more conveniently than ever!