A SWIFT code (also called a BIC — Bank Identifier Code) is an 8 or 11-character alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies a bank or financial institution for international transfers. When you send money abroad via wire transfer, the SWIFT code tells the network exactly which bank — and which branch — the money should go to.
A SWIFT code has four parts. The first four characters are the bank code (e.g., CHAS for JPMorgan Chase). Characters 5-6 are the country code (e.g., US for United States). Characters 7-8 are the location code identifying the city or region (e.g., 33 for New York). The optional characters 9-11 are the branch code — if omitted or shown as "XXX," it refers to the bank's head office. For example, CHASUS33 is JPMorgan Chase's head office in New York, while CHASUS33APC would be a specific branch. Knowing this structure helps you verify that a SWIFT code is correct before sending money.
There are several ways to find your SWIFT code. Check your bank statement or online banking portal — many banks display the SWIFT code on account details pages. You can also find it on your bank's website (usually under "international transfers" or "wire transfer instructions"), by calling your bank directly, or by searching the SWIFT directory at swift.com. Be careful to use the correct branch code: using the head office code (XXX) when your account is at a specific branch may delay your transfer. For US banks, the SWIFT code is different from the routing number (which is used for domestic ACH transfers).
These three identifiers serve different purposes. A SWIFT code identifies the bank itself for international transfers. An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) identifies the specific account and is used primarily in Europe and the Middle East. A routing number (ABA number) identifies a US bank for domestic transfers. For an international wire to Europe, you typically need both the recipient's IBAN and their bank's SWIFT code. For a wire to the US, you need the routing number and account number. Some modern transfer providers like Wise handle these details automatically — you just enter the recipient's bank account details and they figure out the routing.
You do not need a SWIFT code if you are using a fintech provider (Wise, Remitly) that handles routing internally, sending via SEPA within Europe (IBAN is sufficient), using digital asset rails where you send to a wallet address rather than a bank account, or making domestic transfers within the same country. SWIFT codes are specifically required for traditional international wire transfers that route through the correspondent banking network. As more transfers move to digital providers and digital asset rails, the need for SWIFT codes is declining. RemitRoutes compares options that require SWIFT codes alongside those that do not.
Yes. SWIFT code and BIC (Bank Identifier Code) are the same thing. SWIFT code is the common name; BIC is the technical/ISO standard name. Both refer to the 8-11 character code that identifies a bank internationally.
The transfer may be delayed, returned, or sent to the wrong bank. If the code is invalid, most banks will reject the transfer. If it is valid but incorrect (a different bank), the money may be sent to the wrong institution and take days or weeks to recover. Always double-check the SWIFT code before sending.
No. Wise handles routing internally. You enter the recipient's bank account details (account number, sort code, IBAN, etc.) and Wise determines the correct routing. This is one advantage of fintech providers over traditional bank wires.
No. A SWIFT code identifies a bank for international transfers. A routing number (ABA number) identifies a US bank for domestic transfers. US banks have both: a routing number for ACH/domestic wires and a SWIFT code for international wires.
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