How to Find the Swift Code for a Bank

SWIFT, or Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, codes allow you to transfer payments internationally through the SWIFT network. Whether you're planning on sending money or receiving it , to conduct payments overseas you'll need to find the bank's SWIFT code. There are several ways to do this, including contacting the bank directly or searching online. Following simple strategies will lead you to the SWIFT code you're searching for.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Recognizing and Using a SWIFT Code

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bb\/Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bb\/Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-1.jpg\/aid9444535-v4-728px-Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A SWIFT code is 8-11 numbers and letters that helps making transferring money overseas a more secure process. The SWIFT code can be found on a bank's website, on your bank statement, or through an online search . Make sure you copy down the correct characters when recording a SWIFT code, and check that it has 8 or 11 characters. [1]
    • The first 4 characters stand for the bank to which money is being transferred. The next 2 represent the country the bank is located in, and the 2 characters after that signify the city. The last 3 characters represent a specific branch or office, but they aren't always included.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-2.jpg\/aid9444535-v4-728px-Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you're sending money overseas, you'll need to find out the SWIFT code of the bank that will be receiving the payment. Either ask the person or business that you're sending money to what their bank's SWIFT code is, or see if you can look it up online. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-3.jpg\/aid9444535-v4-728px-Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you'll be receiving money from overseas, make sure you give your bank's SWIFT code to the person or business that will be paying you. In order for them to send you money, their bank will need your bank's SWIFT code. [3]
    4. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Finding a Bank's SWIFT Code

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/61\/Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/61\/Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-4.jpg\/aid9444535-v4-728px-Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    One of the easiest ways to figure out your bank's SWIFT code is to simply call and ask. Bank tellers and employees will be able to tell you what the SWIFT code is as well as the steps you need to take to make the money transfer.
    • If you need to find out the SWIFT code of a bank that isn't in the country and would require an international call, it might be best to look online first.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/38\/Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/38\/Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-5.jpg\/aid9444535-v4-728px-Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Whether you're looking for your bank's SWIFT code or a different bank's SWIFT code, go to their website and see if they have the code listed. [4]
    • Check the bank website's FAQS, international payments, or other related links.
    • If the bank's website has a search feature, type "SWIFT code" into the search box.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/39\/Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/39\/Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-6.jpg\/aid9444535-v4-728px-Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If it isn't your own bank's SWIFT code that you're looking for, contact the business or person that you'll be sending money to and ask them to give you their bank's SWIFT code. [5]
    • If the person or business isn't sure what their bank's SWIFT code is, ask them for their bank's name and you can look it up online.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-7.jpg\/aid9444535-v4-728px-Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Banks will often put their SWIFT code on bank statements. Check one of your recent statements to see if the SWIFT code is listed. If you don't receive paper statements, login to your bank account online and view your statement there. [6]
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-8.jpg\/aid9444535-v4-728px-Find-the-Swift-Code-for-a-Bank-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Another easy way to find the SWIFT code for a bank is to search online. Several websites, such as theswiftcodes.com or bankswiftcode.org, help you find a bank's SWIFT code by choosing your country and then the name of your bank. [7]
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • There's typically a fee when transferring money via a SWIFT payment, so check with the bank to see how much the fee will cost.
        Thanks
        Helpful 2 Not Helpful 2
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Write a Promissory Note
      How to
      Subpoena Bank Records
      How to
      Remove a Lien
      How to
      File a Lawsuit for Money Owed
      How to
      Make Sure Your Cash Gifting Is Legal
      How to
      Write a Credit Card Settlement Letter
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://transferwise.com/us/swift-codes/
      2. ↑ https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/100214/whats-difference-between-iban-and-swift-code.asp
      3. ↑ https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/100214/whats-difference-between-iban-and-swift-code.asp
      4. ↑ https://www.westpac.com.au/faq/swift-codes/
      5. ↑ https://www.westpac.com.au/faq/swift-codes/
      6. ↑ https://sumup.co.uk/invoices/dictionary/swiftbic-codes/
      7. ↑ https://www.bankswiftcode.org/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      A swift, or Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, code allows you to transfer payments internationally through the company's network. To find a bank’s swift code, go to their website to see if its listed in their international payments section or FAQs. Or, call the bank and ask an employee for the swift code. Alternatively, use a swift code website, like theswiftcodes.com. You might find your own bank’s swift code on your bank statement. If you want to know the swift code for a payee, try asking them directly. For more tips, including how a swift code works, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 599,012 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement