Your bank identification code, commonly called a BIC or SWIFT code, is an 8- or 11-character alphanumeric code that identifies your specific bank during international transactions. You can find it in several places: on your bank statement, through your online banking portal, by calling your bank directly, or by searching the free BIC lookup tool on SWIFT’s website.
What a BIC Looks Like
A BIC is either 8 or 11 characters long, and each segment carries specific information. The first four characters identify the bank itself. The next two are a country code (US for the United States, GB for the United Kingdom, DE for Germany, and so on). Characters seven and eight represent the bank’s location, usually a city. If the code has 11 characters, the last three digits identify a specific branch. An 8-character code without those final three digits refers to the bank’s head office.
For example, a code like CHASUS33 identifies JPMorgan Chase’s head office in the United States. If a branch-level code exists, it would look something like CHASUS33XXX, with the last three characters pointing to a particular branch. When you’re sending or receiving an international wire transfer, either the 8- or 11-character version will work, though using the full 11-character code can help route funds to the correct branch faster.
Check Your Bank Statement
The simplest way to find your BIC is to look at a recent bank statement. Many banks print it near the top of the document, often in the header area alongside your account number and IBAN (if applicable). If you use paperless statements, log into your online banking portal or mobile app and pull up any recent statement as a PDF. The same header information should appear there.
Some banks also display the BIC directly in the account details section of their website or app, separate from statements. Look for a page labeled “account information,” “account details,” or “wire transfer instructions.” Banks that handle international transactions regularly tend to make this information easy to find since customers need it frequently.
Use the Free SWIFT Directory
SWIFT, the organization that manages the global standard for these codes, offers a free BIC search tool on its website at swift.com. The tool is open to anyone and draws from the official BIC Directory, which is the registry of all codes issued under the ISO 9362 standard.
To use it, go to the SWIFT website and look for the BIC search page. You can search by entering the bank’s name, country, and city. The directory will return the registered BIC along with the name and address of the corresponding institution. The data is updated quarterly, so it reflects the most recent published version of the directory rather than real-time changes. For the vast majority of searches, this is perfectly current.
This tool is especially useful when you need the BIC for someone else’s bank, such as when you’re setting up a wire transfer to a recipient abroad and they haven’t provided the code themselves.
Call or Visit Your Bank
If you can’t find your BIC online, your bank’s customer service line can provide it immediately. This is a routine request, and the representative won’t need to verify much beyond your identity. You can also walk into a branch and ask. Some banks print the BIC on their business cards, letterhead, or in the “wire transfer instructions” pamphlets available at teller windows.
When You Need a BIC
You’ll encounter BIC requests most often when sending or receiving international wire transfers. Banks around the world use the SWIFT network to route cross-border payments, and the BIC is what tells the system which institution should receive the funds. Without it, the transfer can be delayed or rejected.
For domestic transfers within the United States, you typically use a routing number instead. The BIC only becomes necessary when money crosses borders. If you’re transferring within the eurozone, you’ll usually need both an IBAN (which identifies the specific account) and a BIC (which identifies the bank). Some European countries have started phasing out the BIC requirement for intra-eurozone transfers, but it’s still commonly requested.
If someone abroad is sending you money, they’ll ask for your BIC along with your account number or IBAN. Give them the full 11-character version if you have it. If your bank only provides an 8-character code, that works too, as the transfer will route to the head office and then to your account internally.
BIC, SWIFT Code, and SWIFT/BIC
You’ll see these terms used interchangeably, and they all refer to the same thing. “SWIFT code” is the informal name most people use. “BIC” is the technical name under the ISO 9362 standard. Some banks label it “SWIFT/BIC” on their forms. If a form asks for any of these, you’re looking for the same 8- or 11-character code.