Banks and other financial institutions keep track of your money using a system of unique codes assigned to each bank or account they do business with. Different countries use different systems, and the two most common are IBAN numbers and SWIFT codes.
| Description | Where you can find it | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWIFT | A SWIFT number is an alphanumeric number containing information that identifies a bank and branch. It can be eight or 11 characters long, depending on which bank office it refers to. | Bank statement, Online banking system, Inquire in the bank | NFBKUS33 |
| IBAN | An IBAN number is an alphanumeric number containing information that identifies a bank, country and account number. With lengths fixed by country, IBAN codes can be up to 34 characters. | Bank statement, Online banking system | GB 29 NWBK 601613 31926819 |
SWIFT codes — short for the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication — are worldwide bank ID codes. These codes identify banks and financial institutions around the world, explaining who they are and where they are located.
Unlike IBAN, which identifies specific bank accounts, SWIFT refers to a specific bank only — including banks in the US. Some 40,000 banks and offices worldwide are part of the SWIFT network.
A SWIFT number is an alphanumeric number containing information that identifies a bank and branch. It can be 8 or 11 characters long, depending on which bank office it refers to.
An example of a SWIFT code is this one for a Chase Bank in New York City: CHASUS33JCC.
We can break down this SWIFT code to discover:
If you live in a country that participates in SWIFT, find your SWIFT number on your bank statement, by signing in to your online banking system or by calling your bank.
If you’re sending money internationally and need a SWIFT number, ask your recipient for the SWIFT number of the bank to which their account belongs.
No. For domestic payments, US banks use a domestic routing code to identify your specific bank and bank account. It’s made of a nine-digit ABA number that identifies your bank and branch and your unique account number.
This routing number is often found at the bottom of your personal checks or by signing in to your online banking system.
IBAN numbers — short for International Bank Account Number — are a unique number assigned to specific bank accounts involved in international business. Though not exclusive to Europe, IBAN is used in most European countries. The United States does not use IBAN numbers, but you could encounter them when sending money to an international recipient — specifying the IBAN number makes for faster transactions.
An IBAN number is an alphanumeric number containing information that identifies a bank, country and account number. With lengths fixed by country, IBAN codes can be up to 34 characters.
An example of an IBAN code in at Great Britain’s National Westminster Bank is GB 29 NWBK 601613 31926819.
Breaking down our UK IBAN code, we find:
If you live in a country that uses IBAN, you can find your IBAN number on your bank statement or by signing in to your online banking system.
If you’re sending money internationally and need an IBAN number, ask your recipient for the IBAN number of their deposit account.
The mysterious IBAN and SWIFT codes are anything but: They identify specific banks among the many financial transactions conducted worldwide among bank accounts. And they’re especially important when it comes to international money transfers.
Learn more about getting the best rates and fees to friends, family and businesses abroad in our guide to international money transfers.
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