A SWIFT/BIC code is a standardized 8- or 11-character identifier for a bank or financial institution, used to route international wire transfers. It is defined by the international standard ISO 9362, and the terms "BIC" (Business Identifier Code) and "SWIFT code" refer to the same identifier. Bank Pulse maintains a searchable catalogue of these codes, aligned with the ISO 9362 directory and refreshed monthly.
Yes. "BIC" is the formal name in the ISO 9362 standard, while "SWIFT code" is the everyday name used by banks and customers. The identifier was originally called the Bank Identifier Code and was later broadened to Business Identifier Code, because it can identify non-bank financial institutions and corporates as well. Whenever a payment form asks for either a BIC or a SWIFT code, the same value is expected.
A SWIFT/BIC code is built from four parts. Take DEUTDEFF (Deutsche Bank, Frankfurt) as an example:
| Institution code | 4 letters — DEUT (the bank) |
|---|---|
| Country code | 2 letters — DE (ISO 3166 country, Germany) |
| Location code | 2 characters — FF (city/region, Frankfurt) |
| Branch code | 3 characters, optional — e.g. XXX for the head office |
A code with 8 characters (for example DEUTDEFF) refers to the institution's head office. An 11-character code adds a 3-character branch code. In most cases the 8-character version is sufficient for a transfer, but some banks require the full 11-character code — always confirm with the beneficiary bank.
The BIC is defined by the international standard ISO 9362:2022. SWIFT (the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) is the ISO-appointed Registration Authority for ISO 9362: it assigns BICs to institutions and publishes the official BIC directory through its SwiftRef reference-data service.
This means ISO owns the standard, and SWIFT is the single authoritative source for issuing and maintaining BIC/SWIFT codes worldwide. Bank Pulse's catalogue mirrors that official directory so the codes you look up match the ISO 9362 source of truth.
A SWIFT/BIC code identifies who is involved in a payment; ISO 20022 defines how the payment instruction is structured. ISO 20022 is the richer, data-rich messaging standard that is progressively replacing legacy SWIFT MT (FIN) messages for cross-border payments, and BIC codes are used to identify the banks inside those messages.
To go deeper, see our guides on how a SWIFT payment reaches its destination and the UETR tracking number, or browse all cross-border payment guides.
SWIFT maintains the ISO 9362 BIC directory continuously and publishes updates on a regular schedule as institutions are added, changed or removed. Bank Pulse refreshes its SWIFT/BIC catalogue on a monthly cycle aligned with that directory, so records stay current with the official ISO 9362 source. Each bank page shows when its record was last updated.
Ready to look one up? Search by name or browse banks by country, or check the structure of a SWIFT code.
A SWIFT code (also called a BIC) is a unique 8- or 11-character identifier of a bank or financial institution, defined by the ISO 9362 standard and used to route international wire transfers.
Yes. BIC (Business Identifier Code) and SWIFT code are two names for the same ISO 9362 identifier. If you know a bank's BIC you do not need a separate SWIFT code.
It is 8 or 11 characters: 4 letters for the institution, 2 for the ISO country code, 2 for the location, and an optional 3-character branch code (XXX indicates the head office).
ISO 9362 defines the BIC standard, and SWIFT is the ISO-appointed Registration Authority responsible for assigning BICs and publishing the official BIC directory through its SwiftRef service.
A SWIFT/BIC code identifies a party (the bank), while ISO 20022 is the messaging standard that structures the payment instruction itself. BIC codes are used to identify institutions inside ISO 20022 messages.
SWIFT maintains the ISO 9362 BIC directory on an ongoing basis and publishes updates regularly. Bank Pulse refreshes its SWIFT/BIC catalogue on a monthly cycle in line with that directory.
Search by bank name or browse by country on Bank Pulse, or ask your bank directly. Each bank page shows the full 8- and 11-character codes, country, currency and branch code.