Global Bank SWIFT & BIC Code Finder Tool
Look up SWIFT/BIC codes by bank, country, and city — or validate and decode any SWIFT code you already have.
VERIFIED SAMPLE DATA
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What is a SWIFT / BIC Code and How Does It Work?
A SWIFT code (also called a BIC — Bank Identifier Code) is a standardized international identifier for a specific bank, assigned under the ISO 9362 standard. Banks worldwide use it to identify exactly which institution — and often which branch — a wire transfer should be routed to. Without it, an international payment has no reliable way to find its destination bank.
Difference Between SWIFT Code, IBAN, and Routing Number
| Identifier | Identifies | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| SWIFT / BIC Code | The bank (and sometimes branch) | International wire transfers |
| IBAN | The individual account | International transfers, mainly in Europe and many other countries |
| Routing Number (ABA) | The bank, for domestic US transfers | Domestic US wires, ACH, direct deposit — not used internationally |
A SWIFT code and an IBAN are often needed together for an international transfer: the SWIFT code tells the sending bank which institution to route the payment to, and the IBAN identifies the specific account at that institution.
How to Find Your Bank’s SWIFT Code for Wire Transfers
The most reliable sources are, in order: your bank’s official website (usually under “international wire transfers” or “IBAN/SWIFT”), your online banking portal, a recent bank statement, or calling your bank’s customer service line directly. Third-party lookup tools like this one are useful for a quick reference, but for any time-critical or high-value transfer, always confirm the code directly with your bank before sending funds.
SWIFT Code Structure Breakdown
| Position | Characters | Represents |
|---|---|---|
| 1–4 | Letters | Bank Code — identifies the specific bank |
| 5–6 | Letters | Country Code — ISO country the bank is registered in |
| 7–8 | Letters or digits | Location Code — identifies the city/region |
| 9–11 (optional) | Letters or digits | Branch Code — “XXX” means head office; anything else identifies a specific branch |
Frequently Asked Questions
Features of Global Bank SWIFT & BIC Code Finder
- Dual-mode tool — search for a bank’s SWIFT code, or paste a code you already have to validate and decode it
- Cascading filters — narrow results by Country, then Bank, then City/Branch, with each dropdown updating based on your previous choice
- Instant search bar — type a bank name, city, or partial code and see matching results filter in real time
- Live ISO 9362 validation — paste any SWIFT/BIC code and instantly see whether the format is valid, with a clear pass/fail badge
- Structural breakdown — every valid code is automatically split into its Bank, Country, Location, and Branch components, with a plain-language explanation of each part
- One-click copy — copy just the SWIFT code, or a complete formatted block (bank name, address, city, country, SWIFT code) ready to paste into a bank’s wire transfer form
- Verified starter dataset — sample entries for major banks across 7 countries, each checked against live sources rather than guessed
- Built-in safety reminder — every result includes a clear prompt to confirm the code directly with the bank before using it for an actual transfer
How to Use the SWIFT/BIC Code Finder
- Choose a mode. Select “Search & Find SWIFT Code” if you’re looking up a bank’s code, or “Reverse Lookup & Validator” if you already have a code and want to check or decode it.
- To search: either type directly into the instant search bar (e.g. “HSBC London”), or use the Country, Bank, and City dropdowns to narrow down to the exact branch you need.
- Click a result to open its full details card, including the formatted SWIFT code and address.
- To validate: paste any 8 or 11-character SWIFT code into the Reverse Lookup box — the tool instantly checks the format and breaks down what each part of the code represents.
- Copy what you need. Use “Copy SWIFT Code” for just the code, or “Copy Full Wire Details” to grab a ready-to-paste block with the bank’s full name, address, and SWIFT code together.
- Always confirm before sending money. Use this tool to quickly find or verify a code’s format — but for any real wire transfer, especially a high-value or time-sensitive one, double-check the exact code with the receiving bank directly.
Tip: If you see “XXX” at the end of a SWIFT code, that means the transfer is going to the bank’s head office rather than a specific branch. Most everyday transfers work fine with this — but some banking systems require the full 11-character code, so check what your specific wire form asks for.