What is the Format of the SWIFT Code?

There is a standardized format of a SWIFT Code consisting of 11 alphanumeric characters.

‘AAAABBCC123’

AAAA - The first four letters represent the bank Code

BB - The second two letters represent the country code

CC - The third two characters (maybe letters or numbers) represent the location code

123 - The last three letters or numbers represent the branch code

How Long Should a SWIFT Code Be?

Generally, the length of the SWIFT Code is 8-11 characters consisting of 4 sets showing Bank code, country code, location code and branch code.

How to Use Our SWIFT Code Checker Tool?

It is easy to use the SWIFT code checker tool. You can fetch the SWIFT Code with a few clicks, have a look.

  • Go to use the SWIFT Code Checker tool.
  • Choose your preferred country, bank and city.
  • You will see a list of SWIFT codes.
  • Click on your Preferred SWIFT code from the list.
  • You will see each detail of your SWIFT Code.

Benefits of Using the SWIFT Code Checker Tool.

Using the SWIFT code checker tool offers myriad benefits:

  • It is easily accessible everywhere at any time. You just need a device with internet connectivity.
  • It saves you time by quickly fetching the accurate SWIFT code.
  • You can rely on it for detailed information related to the SWIFT Code.
  • Accurately identifies the bank or financial institution with a single click.
  • It minimizes error and prevents fraud by verifying the code correctly.
  • Our SWIFT Code tool has a User-friendly Interface.
  • SWIFT Checker tool provides up-to-date information.

When is the SWIFT Code Required?

You may need a SWIFT Code in the following cases:

  • International Wire Transfers
  • Foreign Currency Exchange
  • Interbank Communications
  • Receiving International Payments
  • Correspondent Banking

How Does SWIFT Make Money?

Well, SWIFT does not make money in the conventional sense of earning profits for the shareholders as it is a cooperative-owned structure. However, it covers its operational costs in the following ways:

  • Membership Fees: SWIFT charges fees from members of the institution as an initial joining fee or annual membership fee. These fees help to cover the cost of maintaining the SWIFT network infrastructure.
  • Messaging Fees: SWIFT charges fees for the exchange of transaction-related messages. These fees are dependent on the volume and type of messages transferred.
  • Service Fees: SWIFT offers a good many additional services beyond messaging like compliance, security solutions etc. Therefore SWIFT charges fees to access these services.

Apart from these, SWIFT has other sources to recover its operational costs such as software and connectivity fees, fees for compliance services, business intelligence and reference data. Any surplus money generated is usually reinvested in the organization itself.

Why is SWIFT Dominant?

SWIFT has been in operation since 1973. It has great dominance in the field of banking. It connects thousands of financial institutions and banks across the globe. It enforces standardized messaging formats for consistency. It gives extreme priority to security measures for financial messages. Moreover, the infrastructure of SWIFT is highly reliable and redundant. It adapts to regulatory changes to support compliance and what’s important is, it invests continuously in technology to address industry challenges. SWIFT allows banks and financial institutions to communicate easily and securely about the transaction details.

How Much Does a SWIFT Transfer Cost?

When it comes to SWIFT transfer costs, there are a good many factors to consider such as Bank fees, Currency exchange fees, intermediary bank fees, service level of the bank, and membership status. However, SWIFT transfer cost ranges between 2-5% on the amount of funds transferred.

How Long Does a SWIFT Transfer Take?

The duration of a SWIFT transfer depends on various factors such as processing time by the banks, currency and country of the recipient, weekends and holidays, service level and speed, intermediary banks, compliance and verifications. However, the SWIFT transfer usually takes 2-3 days for the transaction to be completed. But make sure to enter the correct SWIFT Code for accurate transactions. Use the SWIFT Code Finder tool to get the correct SWIFT Code.

How Important is SWIFT to Global Finance?

SWIFT plays a crucial role in the banking industry. It does not transfer the funds actually but exchanges messages between the banks and institutions. SWIFT provides a pathway for financial institutions and banks across the globe to communicate transaction details. It keeps all the security and accessibility.

FAQs

What Do the SWIFT Code Digits Stand for?

The SWIFT code digits stand for the Society of Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication.

Which Countries Use SWIFT Codes?

SWIFT Codes are used globally and are not specific to any particular country. It is used by all countries for international wire transfers. There are around 200 countries and 11000 financial institutions that use SWIFT Code.

Are SWIFT Codes the Same for All Banks in a Particular Country?

No, the SWIFT code for all banks isn’t the same in a particular country. Each bank or financial institution has its own unique SWIFT Code.

Can I Transfer Money Without a SWIFT Code?

If you mean domestic wire transfer then you do not need a SWIFT code for it. However, for international wire transfers, you will require a SWIFT/BIC Code. However, it is possible to transfer funds from one country to another through specific methods using online payment platforms.

Is SWIFT Money Transfer Expensive?

The expense of a SWIFT money transfer depends on various factors such as which bank you are using, where you are transferring funds, and the amount of payment. Usually, the SWIFT fee is around 2-5% on the amount of the exchange rate for each transfer.

Why Are SWIFT Transfers So Slow?

Usually, the SWIFT transfers take 2-3 working days. If your SWIFT transaction is taking too long then there may be some issues such as incorrect banking details of the recipient provided by you. In some cases, if the amount of fund transfer is large then it may take extra time for verification checks. Also, there may be public holidays in the recipient’s country. Contact your bank to know the exact reason.

Why Do SWIFT Transactions Take So Long?

SWIFT transactions may take a little longer due to several reasons such as verification and compliance checks to prevent any fraud or error, due to the corresponding banking network, different time zones and working hours, weekends or holidays, and may be due to manual interventions. If you are still worried about your SWIFT transaction, contact your bank immediately.