What is a SWIFT code?
A SWIFT code - also known as a SWIFT number 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, financial institutions and money transfer services identify where to send money on a global scale. You can think of a SWIFT code a bit like a ZIP/postal code. Your bank can use the SWIFT code to find another bank on the opposite side of the world. Just like sending mail to an incorrect ZIP code means it could go missing, the same applies for your money and an incorrect SWIFT code.
What does a SWIFT look like?
A SWIFT code can be either 8 or 11 characters long:
AAAA BB CC DDD
- AAAA: 4 character bank code. Only letters.
- BB: 2 character country code. ISO alpha-2 country code.
- CC: 2 character location code.
- DDD: 3 character branch code. Optional. Can include letters or digits. An XXX here would refer to the primary office.
More info about SWIFT/BIC codes
There are 2 types of SWIFT code: live and passive. Live codes are for banks who are actively 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.