# BIC and SWIFT code questions and answers

> What a BIC is, whether it has 8 or 11 characters, connected and non-connected codes, IBAN, SEPA and wire safety, each answered with its Swift, EPC or FTC source.

- Page: https://swiftcodelookup.com/faq/
- Official rule or bank page: [Swift, The BIC: frequently asked questions](https://www.swift.com/swift-resource/252025/download)
- Read on: 2026-10-30

**What is a BIC?**
A Business Identifier Code under ISO 9362 that identifies an organization. Swift is the registration authority ([Swift FAQ](https://www.swift.com/swift-resource/252025/download)).

**Is a SWIFT code the same as a BIC?**
In everyday use, yes. See the [checker](https://swiftcodelookup.com/).

**8 or 11 characters?**
Both are valid. See [8 or 11 characters](https://swiftcodelookup.com/8-or-11-character-bic/).

**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](https://swiftcodelookup.com/iso-9362-revision/).

**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](https://swiftcodelookup.com/bic-iban-sepa/).

**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](https://swiftcodelookup.com/verification-of-payee/).

**How do I avoid scams?**
Read the [FTC advice](https://swiftcodelookup.com/wire-transfer-scams/) and the [checklist before you send money](https://swiftcodelookup.com/payment-red-flag-check/).

**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](https://swiftcodelookup.com/find-a-swift-code/).

**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](https://swiftcodelookup.com/iban-checksum/) 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](https://swiftcodelookup.com/find-a-swift-code/).

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SWIFT Code Guide. Errors or changed codes: contact@swiftcodelookup.com