SWIFT Code

What is a SWIFT Code?

A SWIFT Code is a standard format of Bank Identifier Code (BIC) used to specify a particular bank or branch. These codes are used when transferring money between banks, particularly for international wire transfers. Banks also use these codes for exchanging messages between them.

SWIFT codes comprise of 8 or 11 characters. All 11 digit codes refer to specific branches, while 8 digit codes (or those ending in ‘XXX’) refer to the head or primary office. SWIFT codes are formatted as follows:

AAAA BB CC DDD

• First 4 characters – bank code (only letters)
• Next 2 characters – ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code (only letters)
• Next 2 characters – location code, passive participant will have “1” in the second character (letters and digits)
• Last 3 characters – branch code, optional – ‘XXX’ for primary office (letters and digits)

Understanding the code

A swift code consists of 11 or 8 characters, which is the standard format standardized by ISO (International Organization for Standardization). Here is an example code: DBBLBDDH147. This swift code is for the Bashundhara Branch offices of “Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited” in Bangladesh, and can be broken down to four parts: DBBL – BD – DH – 147

• First four characters: These 4 characters (“DBBL” in our example) identify the bank (“Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited”). This 4-letter code is used to identify this particular financial institution’s branches and divisions all over the world.
• Fifth and sixth characters: These 2 characters identify the country in which the bank is located. “BD” in this example means “Bangladesh”.
• Seventh and eighth characters: These 2 characters represent a location code (“DH” in this example).
• Last three characters: These 3 characters form the branch code. “XXX” is used to identify the Bashundhara Branch or the institution, but this particular branch code is optional, and if omitted, the 8-character remaining code (“DBBLBDDH” in our example) is assumed to refer to the head office (primary office) of the institution.

Bangladeshi Banks SWIFT Codes

In Bangadesh Normally SWIFT codes are 8 characters, and use location code is always Dhaka for all. if you need 11 characters swift code find your branch in our side and add 3 digit branch code. or best way is contact your branch manager or bank customer care to get the exact SWIFT code for your bank account.