Where to find your bank's SWIFT Code

Your bank's SWIFT code is an eight or eleven-character identifier that routes money to the correct financial institution during international transfers. You can find it in four places: your bank's website (usually under "international transfers" or "wire instructions"), your monthly statement, a call to your bank's customer service line, or the SWIFT directory at swift.com.

The fastest route is your bank's website. Search for "international wire instructions" or "SWIFT code" on their site, and you'll usually land on a page listing the code for your specific branch or the main office. If your bank has multiple locations, make sure you're looking at the right one — some large banks have different SWIFT codes by region or branch type.

If you can't find it online, call your bank's main customer service number and ask for the SWIFT code associated with your account. Have your account number ready. They can tell you the code in under a minute and confirm whether it's the same for all your accounts or varies by account type.

Key Takeaways

  • SWIFT codes are eight or eleven characters long and appear on your bank's website under international transfer instructions.
  • Your monthly statement often lists the SWIFT code in the section about wire transfers or international payments.
  • If you cannot find it online, call your bank's customer service and ask directly — they will provide it when ready.
  • Large banks may have different SWIFT codes for different branches or account types, so confirm you have the right one for your location.
  • The official SWIFT directory at swift.com lets you search by bank name and country if your bank's site is unclear.

What information you need before you search

Before you look for a SWIFT code, know your bank's legal name and the country where your account is held. Banks often operate under different legal entities in different countries, and the SWIFT code depends on which one holds your account.

If you bank with a large multinational institution like HSBC or Citibank, the SWIFT code for your U.S. account will differ from the code for a U.K. account, even though it's the same bank. Your statement will show which legal entity holds your account — look for the bank's full legal name at the top of the document.

Reading a SWIFT code once you find it

A SWIFT code breaks down into four parts. The first four characters are the bank code (letters only). The next two are the country code (letters only). The next two are the location code (letters and numbers). The final three characters (if present) identify a specific branch.

Example: DEUTDEFF is Deutsche Bank's SWIFT code for Frankfurt, Germany. DEUT is the bank code, DE is Germany, FF is Frankfurt, and there is no branch code. If you see DEUTDEFF500, the 500 identifies a specific branch.

You don't need to decode it yourself — just copy the code exactly as your bank provides it. SWIFT codes are case-insensitive, but wire systems read them character by character, so a typo will send money to the wrong place.

When your bank doesn't have a SWIFT code

Some smaller banks and credit unions do not participate in the SWIFT network. If your bank has no SWIFT code, international transfers usually route through a correspondent bank — a larger institution that handles the transfer on your bank's behalf.

Ask your bank for the correspondent bank's SWIFT code and your bank's routing number. You may also need your bank's full legal name and address. Your bank will provide all of this information when you ask about international transfers.

SWIFT codes versus other routing numbers

A SWIFT code is for international transfers only. For domestic U.S. transfers, you need a routing number (nine digits). For transfers within Europe, you may need an IBAN (International Bank Account Number). Some countries use different systems entirely.

When you initiate a transfer, the receiving institution will tell you which identifier it needs. If you're sending money abroad, ask the recipient which country they're in — that determines whether you need a SWIFT code, IBAN, routing number, or something else. Your bank can also advise you on what information the receiving bank will need.

Confirming you have the right code before you transfer

Before you send money using a SWIFT code, verify it with both your bank and the receiving bank. Call your bank and read the code aloud, character by character. Then contact the receiving bank or ask the recipient to confirm their bank's SWIFT code matches what you have.

International transfers are difficult to reverse once they leave your account. If the SWIFT code is wrong, the money may go to a different bank entirely, and recovery can take weeks or require the receiving bank's cooperation. Spending two minutes to confirm saves you from a much larger problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a SWIFT code the same as a BIC code?

Yes. BIC stands for Bank Identifier Code, and SWIFT code and BIC code are used interchangeably. SWIFT is the organization that assigns and manages these codes, so "SWIFT code" is the more common term in the U.S., but you may see "BIC code" used in other countries.

Can I use the same SWIFT code for all my accounts at one bank?

Usually yes, but not always. Most banks use one SWIFT code for all customer accounts at a given branch. However, some banks assign different codes based on account type (checking versus savings) or currency. Ask your bank whether all your accounts share the same SWIFT code or if each one is different.

What happens if I use the wrong SWIFT code?

The money will route to a different bank. The receiving bank may reject it and send it back, or it may sit in a holding account while the banks sort out where it belongs. Either way, the transfer will be delayed by days or weeks. Always confirm the code before you send.

Do I need a SWIFT code to receive money from abroad?

Yes. The sender's bank needs your SWIFT code to route the money to your bank. You'll also need to provide your account number and possibly your IBAN, depending on where the money is coming from. Give the sender all the information your bank provides for receiving international transfers.

Where do I find my SWIFT code if I bank online only?

Log into your online banking portal and look for a section on international transfers, wire instructions, or account details. If it's not there, call the bank's customer service number (usually on your debit card or in your account welcome email) and ask for the SWIFT code. Online-only banks maintain SWIFT codes just like traditional banks do.