UniCredit Becomes First Italian Bank to Offer Near-Instant International Transfers via Wise Platform

UniCredit, a leading European commercial bank, has partnered with Wise Plc to integrate its payments platform, enabling faster and more transparent foreign-currency transfers for retail customers. This strategic collaboration marks UniCredit as the first Italian bank to directly embed Wise's cross-border payment technology into its mobile banking app, aiming to significantly enhance its retail banking offerings across Europe. The service is set to roll out to UniCredit customers in Italy starting July 21, 2025.

The new service allows international transfers from Euros to several foreign currencies, including GBP, CHF, HKD, SGD, and INR, with the same speed and simplicity as domestic payments. Funds are expected to be credited to recipients within seconds in most cases, accompanied by clear, competitive pricing and a streamlined user experience. This move addresses customer demand for more agile and affordable international payment solutions.

Raphael Barisaac, Global Head of Payments & Cash Management at UniCredit, emphasized the bank's mission to "transform payments into an agile, borderless experience, capable of moving with the speed and transparency of a fintech." He added that customers expect simple, fast, and transparent solutions even for complex international wire transfers. This partnership is a fundamental step in meeting those expectations.

Steve Naudé, Global Managing Director at Wise Platform, highlighted the milestone this partnership represents for millions of people and businesses relying on UniCredit. He stated, "Wise and UniCredit share a clear vision and a strong consumer focus and we’re looking forward to offering an even more seamless, faster, and efficient international payments experience to UniCredit’s customers." The integration bypasses traditional, often slower, correspondent banking networks.

This initiative aligns with UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel's strategy to boost profitability by focusing on lucrative fee-based services and improving digital capabilities. By leveraging Wise's technology, UniCredit aims to capture more retail banking customers and solidify its position as a leading bank for payments in Europe. Plans are in place to extend the service's availability to additional countries in the near future.