Bank of America does not use IBAN numbers for domestic transfers

Bank of America does not issue IBAN numbers to its customers. The IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is a standardized account identifier used primarily in Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia — not in the United States. Bank of America uses a different system for identifying accounts: the routing number and account number.

If someone has asked you for an IBAN to send money to your Bank of America account, they may be confused about which country's banking system they are using, or they may be asking for the wrong information. The routing number and account number together serve the same purpose as an IBAN does in other countries.

The only time an IBAN might appear in connection with Bank of America is if you are sending money from Bank of America to a recipient in a country that uses IBANs — in that case, you would need the recipient's IBAN, not your own.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America accounts do not have IBAN numbers; the U.S. banking system uses routing numbers and account numbers instead.
  • If you need to receive a wire transfer to Bank of America, provide your routing number (011000015 for most Bank of America locations) and your account number.
  • If you are sending money to someone outside the U.S., you will need their IBAN if they bank in Europe or the Middle East, but Bank of America will not ask for your IBAN.
  • SWIFT codes are sometimes used for international transfers from Bank of America, but these are different from IBANs and serve a different purpose.

What to provide instead of an IBAN for incoming wire transfers

When someone wants to send you money via wire transfer to your Bank of America account, give them these three pieces of information: your Bank of America routing number, your account number, and your full name as it appears on the account.

The routing number for most Bank of America locations in the continental United States is 011000015. Some Bank of America branches in other states or territories may have different routing numbers, so you can confirm yours by logging into your online banking, calling Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000, or visiting a branch in person.

Your account number is the number printed on the bottom left of your checks, or you can find it in your online banking under account details. When you give this information to the person sending the wire, they will enter it into their bank's wire transfer system, and the money will route to Bank of America and then to your specific account.

SWIFT codes and international transfers from Bank of America

If you are sending money from Bank of America to someone in another country, you may need a SWIFT code rather than an IBAN. A SWIFT code is a separate identifier that tells Bank of America which foreign bank to send the money to. Bank of America's SWIFT code is BOFAUS3N for most U.S. locations.

However, the person or business receiving your money will have their own SWIFT code and possibly their own IBAN (if they are in a country that uses them). You do not need to provide Bank of America with an IBAN or SWIFT code for your own account when sending an outgoing wire — Bank of America already knows its own routing information.

When you initiate an international wire transfer through Bank of America, the bank will ask you for the recipient's bank details, which may include their IBAN, SWIFT code, or both, depending on which country they are in. Bank of America's website and wire transfer forms will guide you on what information is needed for each destination country.

How the U.S. routing system differs from IBAN

The United States developed its banking infrastructure before IBANs existed, so American banks use a different method to route money between institutions. A routing number identifies the specific bank or branch, while an account number identifies your individual account within that bank. Together, they serve the same function as an IBAN does in countries that use it.

An IBAN is typically 15 to 34 characters long and includes a country code, check digits, and the account information all in one string. A U.S. routing number is always 9 digits, and account numbers vary in length but are usually 10 to 12 digits. Both systems work reliably within their own regions, but they are not interchangeable.

Bank of America operates in the United States and uses the U.S. Federal Reserve's routing system. If you move money between U.S. banks, you will always use routing and account numbers. If you move money to or from a country outside the U.S., that country's banking system will determine whether you need an IBAN, SWIFT code, or other identifier.

What happens if you give someone an IBAN instead of a routing number

If you accidentally give someone an IBAN number (or tell them you do not have one) when they are trying to send you a domestic wire transfer, the transfer will likely fail or be delayed. Their bank will not recognize an IBAN as a valid U.S. account identifier and may reject the transaction or ask them to resubmit with the correct routing number and account number.

If the transfer does go through, it may take longer than expected because the sending bank will have to contact Bank of America to clarify which account the money is meant for. To avoid this, always provide the routing number and account number when someone asks how to send you money within the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an IBAN number from Bank of America?

No. Bank of America does not issue IBAN numbers because the U.S. banking system does not use them. If you need to receive money from abroad, ask the sender what country they are in and what their bank requires. If they are in the U.S., they need your routing number and account number. If they are outside the U.S., they may need an IBAN from their own bank, but not from you.

What is Bank of America's SWIFT code?

Bank of America's SWIFT code is BOFAUS3N for most U.S. locations. You would use this if you are sending money from Bank of America to a recipient in another country and their bank asks for the sending bank's SWIFT code. You do not need to provide this code when receiving money into your Bank of America account.

Do I need an IBAN to receive a wire transfer at Bank of America?

No. To receive a wire transfer at Bank of America, you need your routing number (011000015 for most locations) and your account number. An IBAN is not used in the U.S. banking system and is not required for any Bank of America transaction within the United States.

What if the person sending me money says they need an IBAN?

Ask them what country their bank is in. If they are in the U.S., they are mistaken — they need your routing number and account number instead. If they are outside the U.S., they may be confused about which banking system applies. Clarify that you have a U.S. bank account and provide your routing and account numbers. If their bank truly requires an IBAN, there may be a mismatch in banking systems that requires a different transfer method.