What is SWIFT Code?
SWIFT Code - unique identifier of a bank or other financial organization which is used for SWIFT or SEPA money transfers. SWIFT codes are mandatory in cross-border payments. They also referred as BIC codes, so if you know a BIC code of a bank you don't need to search for any additional SWIFT code.
Example of a SWIFT code: DEUTDEFF. The first 4 symbols DEUT - unique ID of a bank, DE - is a country code (Germany), FF - is a location code (Frankurt).
SWIFT codes always consist of 8 or 11 symbols. The last 3 symbols identify a branch code of a bank. For most of the banks it is optional or could be replaced with XXX - which means a headquarter. However there are banks which require a full version of SWIFT code, for example, BBVA Mexico - BCMRMXMMPYM or Bank of Baroda - BARBAEADDUB.
In order to find a SWIFT code, you can search your bank by name or by country.