How to find your bank’s SWIFT/BIC code

Use Convera’s SWIFT/BIC lookup tool to get your transfer started and find the correct code. Or, if you already have the code, you can use our verification tool to make sure it’s correct.

SWIFT / BIC codes in SOUTH AFRICA

SWIFT/BIC code verification

SWIFT/BIC code search

Select the country and enter account details to find the code

Example: CANADA

Bank city Example: VANCOUVER

Bank name Example: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA

Understanding SWIFT/BIC codes

Need to make international money transfers or move funds between banks? Then you’ll likely need a SWIFT code. Also referred to as a BIC (Business Identifier Code) or SWIFT number, a SWIFT/BIC code is used to verify the unique identity of a bank or financial institution—in turn making sure your money is sent to the correct place.

Learn about the latest SWIFT innovations designed to support faster transfers and digital currencies.

The format of a SWIFT/BIC number

SWIFT/BIC codes are made up of 8-11 characters and use the following format:

A 4-letter bank code, which commonly looks like an abbreviation of the bank name: AAAA
A 2-letter country code, identifying the country in which a bank is located: BB
A 2-character (letter or number) location code, used to show the location of a bank’s main office: CC
A 3-digit branch code. Commonly, you’ll see ‘XXX,’ which denotes a bank’s head office: 123

A complete SWIFT/BIC code looks like this: AAAABBCC123

You’ll often see SWIFT/BIC used alongside another acronym: IBAN, or the International Banking Account Number. However, these serve two different purposes. Although each is used for cross-border transfers, SWIFT identifies banks and IBAN identifies individual accounts.

When a SWIFT/BIC code is required

SWIFT/BIC codes can be used for both business funds and personal transactions. Generally, you need a SWIFT/BIC code any time you send or receive funds from a bank internationally. That includes wire transfers, SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) transactions, and other payments made through intermediaries like clearing houses.

Intermediaries are sometimes necessary when a local credit union or community bank doesn’t have connectivity to the SWIFT network. In the US, for example, a foreign sender’s bank will find a domestic partner who will then complete the transfer using the credit union or relevant financial institution’s routing number.