How do I read a SWIFT code?

A SWIFT code has 4 parts: First 4 characters — Bank code (identifies the bank); Next 2 characters — Country code (ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code, e.g., US, GB, CA, DE); Next 2 characters — Location code (identifies the bank's primary office); Last 3 characters (optional) — Branch code (identifies a specific branch; 'XXX' or omitted = primary office). Example: CHASUS33 = Chase Bank (CHAS) + United States (US) + New York primary office (33). Example: BARCGB22 = Barclays (BARC) + Great Britain (GB) + London (22).

How do I find my bank's SWIFT code?

How to find your SWIFT code: 1) Check your bank's website — most post SWIFT codes in their wire transfer help section; 2) Log into online banking → navigate to international wire transfer → the SWIFT code will be displayed; 3) Call your bank's customer service line; 4) Check your bank statement (some show SWIFT code in the header); 5) Use an online SWIFT code lookup (SWIFT's own website or third-party sites like bank.codes or iban.com). Note: some banks have different SWIFT codes for different transaction types (e.g., consumer vs commercial). Confirm you're using the right one for your transaction type.

Is a SWIFT code the same as a routing number?

No. A routing number (ABA routing number) is used for domestic US transactions within the ACH and wire transfer systems — 9 digits, identifies a US bank for US transactions. A SWIFT code is used for international transactions — 8–11 alphanumeric characters, identifies a bank globally. For international wire transfers from the US, you typically need both: the sender's US routing number (to identify your account) AND the recipient's SWIFT code (to identify the receiving bank internationally). IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is used in Europe and many other countries as the account-level identifier, in addition to the bank-level SWIFT code.

How much does an international wire transfer cost?

Typical international wire transfer fees in 2026: US bank outgoing international wire: $25–$50 per transfer; incoming international wire: $10–$20; currency conversion fee: typically 1–3% above the mid-market exchange rate. Lower-cost alternatives: Wise (formerly TransferWise) — fees typically 0.4–1.5% with mid-market exchange rate; Revolut, OFX, Remitly — competitive rates for larger transfers. For regular international transfers, using a specialized money transfer service instead of a bank wire can save $30–$100+ per transfer.

What Is a SWIFT Code? How to Find Yours 2026

Q: What is a SWIFT code?

A SWIFT code — also called a BIC (Bank Identifier Code) — is an 8 to 11 character alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies a bank or financial institution for international wire transfers. SWIFT stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication. The SWIFT network connects over 11,000 financial institutions in more than 200 countries and processes approximately 44 million messages per day. When you send an international wire transfer, you need: the recipient's SWIFT/BIC code; the recipient's IBAN or account number; and often the recipient's bank name and address.

What Is a SWIFT Code?

A SWIFT code is the global identifier for your bank — required whenever you send or receive an international wire transfer.

SWIFT Code Format Explained

Characters	Position	What It Means	Example
4	1–4	Bank code	CHAS = Chase
2	5–6	Country code	US = United States
2	7–8	Location code	33 = New York
3 (optional)	9–11	Branch code	XXX = primary office

Full example: CHASUS33 = Chase Bank, United States, New York primary office

SWIFT Codes for Major US Banks

Bank	SWIFT Code
JPMorgan Chase	CHASUS33
Bank of America	BOFAUS3N
Wells Fargo	WFBIUS6S
Citibank	CITIUS33
US Bank	USBKUS44
PNC Bank	PNCCUS33
Capital One	HIBKUS44
Ally Bank	ALLYDEH1

Always verify with your bank before initiating a transfer — codes can change.

When You Need a SWIFT Code

Required for:

Sending money internationally from your US bank account
Receiving international wire transfers into your US account
International payroll or freelance payments from overseas clients

Not needed for:

Domestic ACH transfers (use routing number + account number)
Domestic wire transfers within the US (use ABA routing number)
Zelle, Venmo, PayPal (domestic P2P)

International Wire Transfer Checklist

To send an international wire, you typically need:

Recipient’s full name and address
Recipient’s bank name and address
Recipient’s SWIFT/BIC code
Recipient’s IBAN or account number
Transfer purpose (some countries require)
Your bank’s routing number (for your account)

For receiving: provide the sender with your SWIFT code, account number, and bank address.

Lower-Cost Alternatives to Bank Wires

Method	Typical Fee	Exchange Rate Markup
US bank wire	$25–$50	1–3%
Wise (formerly TransferWise)	$3–$15	0.4–0.8%
OFX	$0–$15	0.5–1.5%
Remitly	$0–$3.99	Varies
Revolut	$0 (subscription)	0.5–1%

For regular international transfers above $1,000, a specialist money transfer service can save $30–$100 per transfer vs your bank.

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Banking Basics Hub — complete banking guide

Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

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