How to Find the Swift Code for a Bank

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posted on 7 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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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.

Steps

Recognizing and Using a SWIFT Code

Look for a sequence of 8 or 11 characters. 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. 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.

Use a SWIFT code to send money internationally. 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.

Use a SWIFT code to receive money internationally. 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.

Finding a Bank's SWIFT Code

Call the bank and ask an employee for the SWIFT code. 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.

Go to the bank's website and see if they have their SWIFT code listed. 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. 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.

Ask the person or business you intend on paying for their bank's SWIFT code. 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. 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.

Check your bank statement to find your bank's SWIFT code. 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.

Search online using a SWIFT code site. 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.