Does every bank have a SWIFT code?

Written by Admin | Last Updated: July 2026

Not every bank maintains a direct relationship with every other bank globally, so intermediary (or correspondent) banks are frequently used to bridge the gap in international transfers. While larger global banks may have enough direct relationships to serve as their own intermediaries, smaller banks almost always require a third-party "go-between" to facilitate complex transactions, especially those involving foreign currencies or countries where they lack a direct account relationship. As a retail customer, you generally do not need to select an intermediary bank yourself; the process is handled automatically behind the scenes by your institution, though you may occasionally see associated fees passed on to your account.

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Not every bank acts as an intermediary, nor does every transaction strictly require one, but many banks do utilize them.

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Routing numbers and Bank Identifier Codes or SWIFT codes are completely separate financial identifiers designed for entirely different geographic scopes and payment networks.

A Bank Identifier Code (BIC), which is also widely known as a SWIFT code, can consist of either 8 or 11 alphanumeric characters.

Yes, a Bank Identifier Code (BIC)—frequently referred to interchangeably as a SWIFT code—is typically required when initiating standard cross-border wire transfers and international payments between different banking institutions.