AI agents for business finance: what they can and can't do
What AI agents can do in bookkeeping, close, collections and compliance today, where a person must stay in charge, and how to judge a product.
The short answer
Start with the status in your provider's app or bank record: it tells you whether the money is still with the provider, waiting on a review, or already sent to the Nigerian bank. If the provider has emailed asking for information, answer it first, because Wise, for one, cancels and refunds a transfer if it does not hear back within 2 working days. If the money shows as delivered, give the recipient the reference so their bank can find the credit, and if you are still stuck, make a written complaint and then take it to AFCA where the firm is a member.
Work out where the money is
A delayed transfer is stuck at one of three points: with the sending provider, between the provider and the Nigerian bank, or inside the Nigerian bank. Each provider uses its own status names, but they map onto those points.
| What the status says | Where the money is | Who to talk to |
|---|---|---|
| Processing, waiting for your payment (Wise: "Your money's being processed") | Not yet received by the provider from your Australian bank or card | Your Australian bank, then the provider |
| In review, on hold, information needed | With the provider, paused for checks | The provider: check your email and the app |
| In progress after the money left your balance | With the provider or its payout partner | The provider, once its quoted time has passed |
| Sent, completed, delivered | Passed to the Nigerian bank or wallet | The recipient's bank, with the provider's reference |
Wise's status help says a transfer marked "Transfer Sent" has left Wise for the recipient's bank, and that delays can come from verification, incorrect recipient details, weekends and holidays. LemFi's help centre says most delays happen at the recipient bank and that the commonest cause is a wrong account number or mobile money ID.
If the provider wants something from you
A compliance hold is not a sign that something is wrong with you. Providers check identity, source of funds and purpose to meet anti-money laundering rules, and they pause a payment until they have what they asked for. Wise says it will email when it needs extra information to meet regulations, and that if it does not hear back within 2 working days it has to cancel and refund the transfer. LemFi describes an "In review" status as one where it needs details from you and tells you to check your email.
- Search your inbox and spam folder for the provider's request, and reply through the app or the link given, not by a new email thread.
- Send exactly what is asked: a clear, in-date ID, a payslip or bank statement, or an explanation of the payment's purpose.
- Keep your answer consistent with the purpose you selected when you set up the transfer.
For a Wise hold specifically, see why a Wise transfer to Nigeria is held for verification.
If the details may be wrong
A wrong digit in the 10-digit NUBAN, or a name that does not match the account, can slow a transfer, send it back, or credit someone else. Remitly's glossary says banks and pickup agents check that the name matches "exactly, or very closely", and that an incorrect account number "can add several business days". Wise says that if it finds a problem with recipient details and does not hear from you within 2 working days, it cancels and refunds the transfer.
If the money has gone to the wrong account, the process is different: see sent money to the wrong Nigerian account number.
If the provider says it has been delivered
Ask the recipient to check the account again, including any separate domiciliary account, then to call their bank with the provider's reference. For transfers into Nigerian bank accounts, LemFi says the session ID is the reference a Nigerian bank uses to locate a completed transfer; you request it from LemFi's in-app support with your transaction reference and pass it to the recipient. Other providers give a confirmation or receipt; Wise suggests giving the recipient the PDF transfer receipt so their bank can trace the payment.
For a bank wire from an Australian bank, the trace has to start with your bank. Ask it to trace the SWIFT payment and tell you where it is in the chain.
Steps to escalate
- Wait until the provider's quoted delivery time has passed, then contact it through its official app or website with the reference.
- If that does not resolve it, make a formal written complaint. Moneysmart's complaint guide says to put "complaint" in the heading, give your name, contact details and the date, describe the problem and the outcome you want, and attach copies of documents.
- If the firm does not respond within a reasonable time, or you are unhappy with the answer, contact AFCA. Moneysmart says you can do this where the firm is an AFCA member; AFCA's service is free and its phone number, per Moneysmart, is 1800 931 678.
Our guide to complaining to AFCA about a failed transfer covers what AFCA can and cannot do.
Where Pryme fits
A Pryme account can be opened from Australia. It holds naira, US dollars, pounds and euros in one place, each with its own account details, and money stays in the currency it arrived in until you choose to convert it with Swap. Outside Nigeria, Pryme's services are provided through regulated partners, and naira deposits are held by a licensed Nigerian microfinance bank. When you send, the app shows the rate and the fee before you approve. You can also generate a verifiable receipt or statement through Receipts, which anyone can check is genuine and unaltered, useful when a bank asks for proof.
Questions people ask
My transfer to Nigeria says completed but the money is not there. What now?
Ask the recipient to call their bank with the provider's reference. LemFi says Nigerian banks use a session ID to find a completed transfer, which you can request from LemFi support; Wise suggests sharing the PDF transfer receipt.
Why is my transfer from Australia under review?
Providers run identity, source-of-funds and purpose checks to meet anti-money laundering rules. Answer the email request quickly: Wise cancels and refunds if it does not hear back within 2 working days.
How long should I wait before complaining?
Wait until the provider's quoted time has passed, then contact it with the reference. If that fails, make a written complaint, then go to AFCA if the firm is a member.
Can AFCA help with a delayed transfer to Nigeria?
AFCA handles complaints about financial firms that are its members, including payments, after you have complained to the firm first. Its service is free.
Sources
- Wise Help: How can I check the status of my transfer? · accessed Oct 2026
- Wise Help: Why was my transfer cancelled? · accessed Oct 2026
- LemFi Help: My recipient hasn't received the money (updated 21 Oct 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- LemFi Help: How do I get a session ID for a transfer to Nigeria? (updated 21 Oct 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Remitly financial glossary: Recipient · accessed Oct 2026
- Moneysmart (ASIC): How to complain · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.