SWIFT Codes and BIC Codes

SWIFT Codes and BIC codes are part of the ISO 9362 standards for sending money internationally. SWIFT stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, while BIC is short for Bank Identifier Code.

SWIFT and BIC codes are used all over the world to identify bank branches when you make international payments, ensuring your money gets to the right place. To find a SWIFT code, select your country, bank, and city using the form below. Alternatively, you can browse all SWIFT codes for a particular country.

Lookup SWIFT Codes by Country

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  1. United States
  2. China
  3. Japan
  4. Germany
  5. France
  6. United Kingdom
  7. Brazil
  8. Indonesia
  9. Italy
  10. India
  11. Canada
  12. Australia
  13. Spain
  14. South Korea
  15. Mexico
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SWIFT Code example - Format of a SWIFT/BIC number.

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1
First 4 characters - bank code (only letters),It usually looks like a shortened version of that bank's name.
2

Next 2 characters - ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code (only letters),representing the country the bank is in.

3

Next 2 characters - location code, It says where that bank's head office is.

4

Last 3 characters - branch code, optional - 'XXX' for primary office (letters and digits)

If you ask your bank to send money to a SWIFT code that doesn't exist, they should reverse the payment and return your money. But this might take some time, and your bank may charge you a fee. So it's important to always confirm the details with the recipient before you send money.

SWIFT Codes - FAQs

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What is a SWIFT code?

A SWIFT code is a set of 8 or 11 digits that represents a bank branch. You'll need to use one when sending money internationally.

What is BIC?

BIC stands for Bank Identifier Code. It's a set of digits that represents a bank branch for international payments on the SWIFT network.

What is the difference between SWIFT and BIC codes?

SWIFT stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication. It's a global network for processing payments between countries. BIC stands for Bank Identifier Code, which refers to the set of digits you can use to send international payments. In practice, many people use 'BIC' and 'SWIFT' interchangeably to describe the code for international payments.

When do you need a SWIFT/BIC code?

If you're sending or receiving money internationally between banks, particularly international wire transfers or SEPA payments, you may be asked for a SWIFT code. SWIFT codes help banks to process transfers from abroad.

Where can I find my SWIFT/BIC code?

You can usually find your bank's SWIFT/BIC code in your bank account statements. You also can use our SWIFT/BIC finder to get the right code for your transfer.

Do I need a SWIFT code or an IBAN number?

It depends on the country you're sending money to. In the Eurozone, you'll always need an IBAN and a SWIFT/BIC code. Banks in the USA use SWIFT codes, but they don't use IBANs.