SWIFT / BIC Code Lookup
Validate, find, and look up SWIFT codes for 28,300+ banks across 39 countries. No signup. Instant results.
Enter any SWIFT or BIC code to validate its format and get a full character breakdown.
8 characters (head office) or 11 characters (with branch)
Select a country to browse all SWIFT codes for banks registered there.
Select a country then search for a specific bank to get its SWIFT code.
Search across all 28,300+ banks in 39 countries simultaneously.
Searches all 39 countries. Type at least 2 characters.
What Is a SWIFT/BIC Code?
A SWIFT code, also called a BIC (Bank Identifier Code), is a unique alphanumeric code that identifies a specific bank in the international banking network. When you send money across borders, your bank uses this code to find the right institution and route your funds correctly.
Think of it as a postal address for a bank. Without it, the international banking system has no idea where your money is supposed to go. The system is managed by SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication), a cooperative network connecting over 11,000 financial institutions in more than 200 countries.
BIC/SWIFT Code Format Explained
Every SWIFT code follows a strict 4-part structure. The full format is: [BANK CODE] + [COUNTRY CODE] + [LOCATION CODE] + [BRANCH CODE]
Visual Diagram: SWIFT Code Format
Example: GTBINGLAXXX (GTBank Nigeria)
Letters only. Identifies the institution. GTBI = GTBank. CHAS = Chase. BARC = Barclays.
ISO 3166-1 alpha-2. Always 2 letters. NG = Nigeria. GB = UK. US = United States. DE = Germany.
Letters or digits. City or regional hub. LA = Lagos. 33 = New York. 2L = London. BB = Frankfurt.
Optional. XXX always means the head office. Specific suffix routes to a branch. Omitting defaults to head office.
Second example: CHASUS33XXX (JPMorgan Chase, USA)
When Do You Need a SWIFT/BIC Code?
You need a SWIFT code any time money moves between banks in different countries through the traditional banking wire system. Common situations:
- Receiving an international wire transfer into your personal or business account
- Paying school fees abroad directly from your bank (UK, Canada, USA, Australia)
- Paying a foreign supplier or freelancer via bank-to-bank wire
- Receiving salary or client payments from abroad through direct wire
- Family remittances sent as bank-to-bank wires (not apps)
- Business FX and trade finance transactions through correspondent banking
Details Needed for a SWIFT Transfer
Before your bank processes an international wire, they will ask for the following. Missing or incorrect details cause delays, rejections, or misdirected funds.
How Does SWIFT Work?
SWIFT is a messaging network, not a funds transfer system. This is the most commonly misunderstood fact about it. SWIFT does not move your money. It sends secure, standardised messages between banks that tell them how much to transfer, to whom, and from where. The actual movement of funds happens through the banks own settlement accounts.
Step-by-Step: How a SWIFT Wire Transfer Works
You go to your bank app or branch and enter the recipient details: their name, account number, and their bank SWIFT code. Your bank verifies your balance and identity before proceeding.
Your bank formats and sends an MT103 message (the standard customer payment message) through the SWIFT network. This contains all transfer details in a standardised format every bank worldwide understands.
Amount: USD 2,500.00 | Ref: School Fees 2025
If your bank does not have a direct relationship with the receiving bank, the SWIFT message passes through one or more correspondent banks. Each one charges a small fee and forwards the message onward. This is why wire fees can vary and why transfers sometimes take longer.
The recipient bank receives the SWIFT message, runs compliance checks (AML and sanctions screening), verifies the account details, and processes the credit to the recipient account.
Funds are credited to the recipient account. The SWIFT network itself is near-instant. Delays come from compliance checks and bank processing. Typical timelines: same currency 1 to 2 days. Cross-currency 2 to 5 business days.
Visual Flow Summary
Bank(s)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between an 8 and 11 character SWIFT code?
An 8-character code refers to the bank head office. An 11-character code adds a 3-character branch suffix. XXX always means head office. For most personal transfers, 8 characters is sufficient. Banks automatically route to the head office when no branch is specified.
Q: How often do SWIFT codes change?
Very rarely. Codes change mainly when banks merge, rebrand, or significantly restructure. Most codes remain stable for many years.
Q: Is it safe to share a SWIFT code?
Yes. SWIFT codes are public information published on bank websites and directories. They only identify the institution, not your account or personal details. Sharing one carries zero security risk.
Q: What happens if I use the wrong SWIFT code?
If the code is invalid, the transfer is rejected and returned with a processing fee, usually within a few business days. If the code is valid but belongs to a different bank, funds can be misrouted. Recovery takes weeks. Always verify before sending large amounts.
Q: Do Nigerian fintechs like Kuda or OPay have SWIFT codes?
Most do not have their own codes. They use their partner bank SWIFT code for international wires. Always check directly with the fintech for their international transfer instructions.
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