A SWIFT code (also known as BIC Code) is a standard format to uniquely identify banks and financial institutions across the world. SWIFT codes are a standard format for BIC - Business Identifier Codes.
If you transfer money internationally you nearly always need to use a SWIFT code, as it’s the way banks and money transfer services identify where to send money on a global scale. You can think of a SWIFT/BIC code a bit like a ZIP/postal code. A bank on one side of the world finds the right bank on the other side of the world. Similar to how sending a postcard to the wrong ZIP/postal code means it might get lost, the same thing can apply for your money and an incorrect SWIFT code.
A SWIFT code is either 8 or 11 characters in length:
AAAA BB CC DDD
There are 2 types of SWIFT code: live and passive. Live codes are for banks who are connected to the SWIFT network while passive Codes are used for manual transactions. Passive SWIFT codes will have a 1 as the second digit of the 2 character location code.
SWIFT code registrations and management are the responsibility of "Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication" (“SWIFT”) which is located in La Hulpe, Belgium.
SWIFT is the registered trademark of S.W.I.F.T. SCRL with a registered address at Avenue Adèle 1, B-1310 La Hulpe, Belgium.