What is a BIC? A Business Identifier Code under ISO 9362 that identifies an organization. Swift is the registration authority (Swift FAQ).
Is a SWIFT code the same as a BIC? In everyday use, yes. See the checker.
8 or 11 characters? Both are valid. See 8 or 11 characters.
Does a BIC identify an account? No. It identifies an organization; one organization can hold several BICs. The account is identified by the IBAN or national account number.
Can a BIC be bought or sold? Swift's FAQ says BICs cannot be bought, sold or transferred, and that assignment is free.
Does a BIC prove a company is legitimate? No. The FAQ says it does not provide any representation or guarantee about the organization's activities, so do your own checks.
Does being "connected" mean something? A connected BIC belongs to an institution that meets Swift's criteria and can send and receive messages on the network. A non-connected BIC is used for identification only. See BIC position 8.
What happens to the BIC of a company that closes? The FAQ says it is marked expired but still exists as an identifier, and third parties may still need to use it.
Do I need a BIC for a euro transfer? Usually not. Under the EU's SEPA Regulation, banks may not require you to give the BIC for euro transfers, cross-border since February 1, 2016 (EPC). Banks outside the EU may still ask. See IBAN only.
Is there a name check? Euro-area providers must offer verification of payee since October 9, 2025. You see match, close match or no match, and after a warning you can still choose to pay. See verification of payee.
How do I avoid scams? Read the FTC advice and the checklist before you send money.
Can this site find a bank's code? For nine big US banks, yes: the codes each bank publishes, with the link. For any other bank, no: we do not copy directories. Use your bank's own details or Swift's free BIC search; see where to look a code up.
What does a 0 at the end of an 8-character BIC mean? Swift's ISO 9362 paper says BICs with 0 in position 8 are used only for its test and training service. Do not pay to one.
How long is an IBAN? It depends on the country: from 15 characters (Norway) to 33 (Russia), per the Swift IBAN Registry. The full table is on the IBAN checker page.
What is an intermediary bank? A bank in the middle of an international wire, used when the two banks have no direct relationship. Some banks, such as USAA, name one in their instructions; see where to look a code up.