Sending directly to a Bancolombia account can be a good option when your recipient wants the money in their bank account for bills, savings, card spending, or transfers through the Bancolombia app.
This guide walks through how to send money directly to a Bancolombia account from the US with MoneyGram, what information your recipient needs, and what to expect.
Bank transfer to Bancolombia may be the right choice in several situations.
Your recipient may prefer money to land directly in their account instead of collecting cash in person. You may also be sending regular support for rent, utilities, school fees, or monthly expenses, and a bank transfer can help keep that money in one place.
A Bancolombia account transfer can also make sense if your recipient wants to use the funds through the Bancolombia app for bill pay, transfers, or card spending. It may also be a better option for larger amounts, when carrying cash is not ideal.
If those situations do not apply, cash pickup at one of MoneyGram’s Colombia partner locations may be faster or more convenient.
Three pieces of information are essential. Taking a minute to confirm them can help avoid delays.
Use the name exactly as it appears on the Bancolombia account. Colombian names often include two surnames, like “María Fernanda Gómez Restrepo.” If both surnames appear on the account, enter both.
You’ll need the full account number from your recipient’s Bancolombia account. They can usually find it in the Bancolombia app, on a statement, or by asking at a branch. Use the full number, including any leading zeros.
Bancolombia uses different account types, including savings accounts, or cuentas de ahorros, and current accounts, or cuentas corrientes. MoneyGram may ask for the account type during setup. Most personal accounts are savings accounts, but confirm with your recipient before sending.
Open the MoneyGram® app or go to MoneyGram.com. New customers can create a profile and verify their identity with a valid US government ID. Returning customers can log in.
Enter the amount you want to send. Choose Colombia as the destination and Direct to Bank as the delivery method. From the bank list, choose Bancolombia.
Before you confirm, you’ll see the exchange rate from USD to Colombian pesos, the transfer fee, estimated delivery time, and exact amount that will land in the Bancolombia account.
Enter your recipient’s full legal name, account number, and account type. If both surnames are on the account, include both. Double-check the account number before you continue.
Pay with a US bank account, debit card, or credit card. Review the transfer summary and confirm. Save your 8-digit reference number so you can track the transfer.
Note: When using a credit card, your credit card company may charge a cash advance fee and interest charges.
Bank transfers to Colombia depend on the receiving bank’s processing schedule. A Bancolombia transfer sent during Colombian banking hours on a weekday may clear faster than one sent on a weekend or Colombian banking holiday.
MoneyGram shows the expected delivery timing during setup before you confirm. Once the transfer is on its way, you can track it in real time using your reference number.
The total cost includes the transfer fee and the exchange rate from USD to Colombian pesos. Both vary based on the amount you send, how you pay, and timing.
Before you confirm, MoneyGram shows the fee, rate, estimated timing, and exact peso amount that will arrive in the Bancolombia account. New MoneyGram customers can send their first transfer with no fee.
This is one of the most common reasons a Bancolombia transfer may be delayed. Ask your recipient to send the account number from the Bancolombia app or a statement, rather than reading it over the phone.
If your recipient’s Bancolombia account includes two surnames and you only enter one, the transfer may be flagged for review. Use the full name as it appears on the account.
If the account type is entered incorrectly, the transfer may fail or be delayed. Confirm whether your recipient has a cuenta de ahorros or cuenta corriente before sending.
Check MoneyGram tracking first. If the transfer shows as complete but your recipient does not see it, ask them to check their recent transactions in the Bancolombia app. If it still does not appear, contact MoneyGram customer service with your reference number.
Bancolombia’s SWIFT code is commonly listed as COLOCOBM. For most MoneyGram transfers, you typically will not need it because MoneyGram routes the transfer using the account details you enter. SWIFT codes are more common for direct wire transfers from a bank.
From the US, you pay in US dollars. MoneyGram converts your dollars to Colombian pesos at the exchange rate shown during setup, and pesos are transferred into the Bancolombia account.
Ahorro a la Mano is Bancolombia’s mobile-first savings product. Whether it can receive international transfers may depend on the account’s verification level. If your recipient is not sure, ask them to check with Bancolombia before you send a large amount.
No. MoneyGram bank transfers to Colombia are sent to savings or current accounts, not directly to credit card balances. Once the money arrives in the account, your recipient may be able to use it to pay their credit card.
Bancolombia may send an SMS or app notification when funds arrive, depending on the recipient’s settings. The transfer should also appear in their transaction history.
