US banks do not use IBAN numbers. They use a different system called the routing number and account number, which works within the United States but is not recognized internationally.
If you are sending money to someone in the US or receiving a wire transfer from abroad, you will not find an IBAN on any US bank statement or routing guide. The International Bank Account Number (IBAN) is a standardized format used by banks in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia—but the United States never adopted it. Instead, US banks rely on a two-part identifier: the routing number (nine digits that identify your specific bank branch) and your account number (which identifies your account within that bank).
This matters because it changes how you send and receive international payments. If a bank outside the US asks for your IBAN, you cannot provide one. You will need to give them your routing number, account number, and sometimes additional information like your bank's SWIFT code instead.
Key Takeaways
- US banks use routing numbers and account numbers instead of IBANs, a system that works domestically but not internationally.
- When sending money internationally from a US bank, you will need to provide a SWIFT code along with your routing and account numbers.
- When receiving an international wire transfer, your US bank will need the sender's SWIFT code and account details, not an IBAN.
- Some US banks now offer IBAN-like numbers for international transfers, but these are not true IBANs and are specific to each bank's system.
How the US routing and account number system works
Your routing number identifies which bank or credit union holds your account. It is a nine-digit code that tells the Federal Reserve and other financial institutions where to send money. Your account number is separate and identifies your specific account within that bank. Together, these two pieces of information allow domestic transfers to reach the right place.
You can find both numbers on the bottom left of any check you write. The routing number comes first (nine digits), then your account number (usually 10 to 12 digits). If you do not have checks, your bank's website or mobile app will show both numbers under account details or settings.
This system works perfectly for payments within the US—direct deposits, bill payments, transfers between your own accounts at different banks, and ACH transfers all use routing and account numbers. But it does not work internationally because banks outside the US do not recognize these numbers.
What SWIFT codes are and why you need them for international transfers
When you send money internationally from a US bank, you will need a SWIFT code (also called a BIC code) instead of an IBAN. A SWIFT code is an eight or eleven-character code that identifies your bank on the international payment network. It tells the receiving bank's country which US bank the money is coming from.
You can find your bank's SWIFT code on its website, by calling customer service, or by searching the bank's name plus "SWIFT code" online. Major US banks like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank all have published SWIFT codes. Credit unions also have SWIFT codes, though they are less commonly used for international transfers.
When you initiate an international wire transfer, your bank will ask for the recipient's bank details. If the recipient is in the US, you provide the routing number and account number. If the recipient is outside the US, you provide their IBAN (if they are in a country that uses IBANs) or their bank account number plus their bank's SWIFT code.
Receiving international payments as a US account holder
When someone outside the US wants to send you money, they will need your bank's SWIFT code, your account number, and sometimes your full name and address. They cannot use an IBAN because you do not have one. Your bank will provide you with the exact information to give them—some banks have a standard format they ask customers to share.
International wire transfers to US accounts typically take three to five business days, depending on the sending bank's processing speed and any intermediate banks involved. The money arrives in US dollars, and your bank may charge a receiving fee (usually $10 to $25, though this varies). Ask your bank what fee applies before you give someone your account details.
Some international payment services like Wise, PayPal, and Remitly offer alternatives to traditional wire transfers. These services sometimes provide you with a local account number in the sender's country, which can make receiving money cheaper and faster than a direct wire. If you receive frequent international payments, it is worth comparing these options against your bank's wire transfer fees.
Why the US never adopted IBAN
The IBAN system was created in the 1980s to standardize international payments in Europe. By the time it became widely used globally, the US banking system was already mature and deeply integrated into domestic payment networks. The Federal Reserve, the banking industry, and regulators decided the cost and disruption of switching to IBAN was not justified, since the routing and account number system worked well for domestic purposes.
The US also has less cross-border payment volume than Europe does—most US banking happens domestically. International transfers are common enough that banks handle them, but not common enough to justify overhauling the entire system. So the US banking industry kept its existing infrastructure and added SWIFT codes as the bridge for international payments instead.
What some US banks now offer for international payments
A few large US banks now offer what they call "international account numbers" or "virtual IBANs" for customers who receive frequent international payments. These are not true IBANs—they are proprietary numbers created by each bank to make international transfers easier. Chase, for example, offers a service that provides customers with a UK account number and sort code for receiving payments from the UK, even though the money still lands in a US account.
These services are usually free or low-cost, but they are not standardized across banks. If you receive payments from multiple countries, you may need different numbers for each country. Check with your bank whether this service is available to you and whether it applies to the countries you receive payments from.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my routing number as an IBAN for international transfers?
No. An IBAN is a specific format that international banks recognize and validate. Your routing number will not work in an IBAN field. You must provide your bank's SWIFT code and your account number instead, and the sender's bank will know how to process it.
What if someone asks me for my IBAN and I have a US bank account?
Tell them you have a US account and provide your routing number, account number, and your bank's SWIFT code instead. If they are unfamiliar with US banking, you may need to explain that the US does not use IBANs. Your bank's customer service can also provide you with the exact information to share.
Do US credit unions have routing numbers and SWIFT codes?
Yes. Credit unions have routing numbers for domestic transfers and SWIFT codes for international transfers, just like banks do. You can find both on your credit union's website or by calling their member service line.
Is it cheaper to use a payment service like Wise instead of my bank for international transfers?
Often yes. Services like Wise typically charge lower fees and offer better exchange rates than traditional banks for international transfers. Compare the total cost (fee plus exchange rate) between your bank and a payment service before you send money.
Will my bank charge me a fee to receive an international wire transfer?
Most US banks charge a receiving fee for international wire transfers, usually between $10 and $25. Some banks waive the fee for certain account types or if you maintain a minimum balance. Ask your bank about its specific fees before you provide your account details to someone sending you money internationally.