Are SWIFT code and BIC number the same?

Written by Admin | Last Updated: July 2026

No, a SWIFT code and an IBAN (International Bank Account Number) serve two distinct purposes in international financial transactions. A SWIFT code is an alphanumeric code used to identify a specific bank or financial institution during a transfer. In contrast, an IBAN is a standardized, longer numeric system created to uniquely identify an individual's personal bank account for overseas transfers. While you may need both pieces of information to successfully complete an international bank transfer—the SWIFT code to direct the funds to the correct bank, and the IBAN to ensure the money reaches the specific account holder—they are not interchangeable and identify different components of the transaction.

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