SWIFT stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, and a SWIFT code is a Business Identifier Code (BIC) used by banks and payment service providers for international money transfers. A SWIFT/BIC code (also known as a SWIFT number) is an eight or eleven digit number used to identify different organisations or bank branches when making international payments. When you send money to someone abroad via the SWIFT network, you need a SWIFT code. The SWIFT code is needed to send money abroad via the SWIFT network.

BIC stands for Business Identifier Code. These codes are standard reference numbers issued by SWIFT to banks and many other financial and non-financial institutions. When you send or receive an international payment, you may be asked for a BIC code. This is an 8 or 11 digit sequence that indicates which bank the account you are sending to belongs to. BIC codes may also be called SWIFT/BIC codes or simply SWIFT codes.

SWIFT is the issuing organization that controls the use of BICs. However, the terms SWIFT codes and BIC codes - and also SWIFT/BIC codes - are used interchangeably.

If you need to find your SWIFT/BIC code to inform the person sending you money, you can use your bank's SWIFT code finder above. If you want to check that the SWIFT number you have for a friend is correct, you can use the SWIFT verification tool. You can also find the SWIFT number by logging into online banking, calling your branch or checking your correspondence with your bank. The necessary information can often be found in account statements and customer information letters.

Make sure your SWIFT code is correct when sending money internationally. Errors can result in payments being delayed, returned or sent to the wrong account. Check the SWIFT code you have with the recipient, Google the bank/branch code, or use this handy SWIFT verification tool.

Depending on the international destination of your payment, you may need an IBAN code, a SWIFT code or both - IBAN stands for International Bank Account Number. If your transaction requires an IBAN, you can use an online IBAN calculator or checker to generate and verify the code. For example, IBANs are often required for payments to Europe and the Middle East but are not used in North America or Australia. Check the requirements of the country you are sending to and make sure you have all the information you need to process your payment safely. Records of SWIFT codes are held by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), based in La Hulpe, Belgium. SWIFT is a registered trademark of S.W.I.F.T. SCRL. SWIFT is a registered trademark of S.W.I.F.T. SCRL and its headquarters is located at Avenue Adèle 1, B-1310 La Hulpe, Belgium.