BIC/SWIFT Search

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BIC Search

Enter a BIC/SWIFT code - all matching banks are shown

BIC/SWIFT code

8 or 11 characters (e.g. COBADEFF or COBADEFFXXX)

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Note: We search bank data from Germany, Austria and Switzerland (approx. 6,500 banks).

What is a BIC/SWIFT code?

The BIC (Bank Identifier Code), also known as SWIFT code, SWIFT-BIC or BIC code, is an internationally standardized identifier for banks and financial institutions worldwide. It was developed by SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) and enables the unambiguous identification of banks in international payments.

Unlike the IBAN, which identifies a specific bank account, the BIC refers to the bank itself. For international transfers outside the SEPA area the BIC is required alongside the IBAN so that the money reaches the correct bank.

Structure of a BIC code

A BIC consists of 8 or 11 alphanumeric characters with a systematic structure:

1-4 Bank codeFour letters uniquely identifying the bank (e.g. COBA for Commerzbank, DEUT for Deutsche Bank, GENO for cooperative banks)
5-6 Country codeTwo letters according to ISO 3166-1 (e.g. DE for Germany, AT for Austria, CH for Switzerland)
7-8 Location codeTwo alphanumeric characters for the bank's location (e.g. FF for Frankfurt, MM for Munich)
9-11 Branch codeOptional three alphanumeric characters for the branch. "XXX" or omitting them denotes the head office.

8-character vs 11-character BIC

A BIC can have 8 or 11 characters. The difference lies in the optional branch code:

8 characters – identifies the bank (head office), e.g. COBADEFF

11 characters – identifies a specific branch, e.g. COBADEFFXXX (XXX = head office) or COBADEFF370 (branch Cologne)

For most transfers the 8-character BIC is sufficient. When the BIC has 11 characters ending with "XXX", the XXX can be omitted - both variants are equivalent.

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International standard

The BIC is issued by SWIFT and is valid worldwide at over 11,000 financial institutions in more than 200 countries.

BIC examples of major German banks

Here are the BIC codes of the most important German banks and how to interpret them.

COBADEFFXXX

Commerzbank Frankfurt
COBA = Commerzbank
DE = Germany
FF = Frankfurt
XXX = head office

DEUTDEDBXXX

Deutsche Bank
DEUT = Deutsche Bank
DE = Germany
DB = Deutsche Bank (internal)
XXX = head office

HYVEDEMM

HypoVereinsbank Munich
HYVE = HypoVereinsbank
DE = Germany
MM = Munich
(8 characters = head office)

PBNKDEFF

Postbank
PBNK = Postbank
DE = Germany
FF = Frankfurt
(8 characters = head office)

The SWIFT network

SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) is a cooperative founded in 1973 and based in Belgium. It operates a global network through which banks and financial institutions exchange secure messages - primarily payment instructions.

The SWIFT network connects more than 11,000 financial institutions in over 200 countries. Millions of transactions are processed through SWIFT every day. The BIC code is the "address" of a bank in this network.

How does an international transfer work?

For an international transfer outside the SEPA area, your bank sends a SWIFT message to the receiving bank. This message contains:

✓ The BIC of the receiving bank
✓ The IBAN of the recipient account
✓ The transfer amount and currency
✓ The payment reference

The receiving bank identifies itself through the BIC in the SWIFT network and credits the amount to the account.

BIC for SEPA transfers

For transfers within the SEPA area (36 European countries) the BIC has no longer been required since February 2016. The IBAN contains all necessary information to identify the bank. However, many banks still display the BIC on statements and cards.

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When do I need the BIC?

For transfers outside the SEPA area (e.g. USA, Asia) or when your bank explicitly asks for the BIC.

BIC vs IBAN - the differences

BIC and IBAN are often confused, but they serve different functions in payments.

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BIC identifies the bank

The BIC is the "address" of a bank in the SWIFT network. It says nothing about a specific account, only which bank is meant.

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IBAN identifies the account

The IBAN contains all the information: country code, check digit, bank code and account number. It uniquely identifies a specific bank account.

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BIC is global

The BIC works worldwide for all SWIFT-connected banks. The IBAN exists mainly in Europe and some other countries.

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IBAN is enough for SEPA

Within the SEPA area the IBAN alone is enough for transfers. The BIC is derived automatically - you do not need to provide it.

Frequently asked questions about BIC/SWIFT

Answers to the most important questions about BIC codes and the SWIFT network.

Where can I find my bank's BIC?

The BIC is printed on your debit card, on account statements, inside online banking or on your bank's website. Alternatively, use our BIC search - simply enter a BIC to find the associated bank.

Is BIC the same as SWIFT code?

Yes, BIC and SWIFT code are identical. "BIC" is the official name according to ISO 9362, "SWIFT code" is the everyday term because SWIFT operates the network in which these codes are used.

Do I need the BIC for SEPA transfers?

No, since February 2016 the BIC is no longer required for SEPA transfers. The IBAN is enough. For transfers outside the SEPA area (e.g. to the USA or Asia) the BIC is still needed.

What does XXX at the end of a BIC mean?

XXX at the end of an 11-character BIC means "head office" or "headquarters". It indicates that no specific branch is meant. A BIC ending in XXX is equivalent to the 8-character BIC without that suffix.

Can a BIC contain numbers?

Yes, the location code (positions 7-8) and the branch code (positions 9-11) can be alphanumeric, so they may contain both letters and digits. The bank code (1-4) and country code (5-6) always consist of letters only.

Do all banks have a BIC?

All banks participating in the SWIFT network have a BIC. Worldwide there are more than 11,000 such institutions. Small banks or credit cooperatives sometimes use the BIC of a parent organization for international transactions.

What happens if the BIC is wrong?

A wrong BIC on an international transfer means the payment cannot be delivered or goes to the wrong bank. At best the transfer is rejected, at worst it is lost. Always verify the BIC carefully.

How does the BIC change after mergers?

When banks merge, the combined bank often receives a new BIC. The old BICs of the merged banks are usually still routed for a transitional period. When in doubt, ask your bank for the current BIC.

Tips for using BIC codes

Practical advice for handling BIC/SWIFT codes in transfers.

8 or 11 characters?

For most transfers the 8-character BIC is sufficient. If you have an 11-character BIC ending in "XXX", you can use either all 11 characters or just the first 8.

Upper and lower case

BIC codes are usually written in uppercase letters. Most systems also accept lowercase, but to be safe you should enter them in uppercase.

No spaces or special characters

A valid BIC contains only letters and digits - no spaces, hyphens or other special characters. Remove any separators before entering it.

Check the country code

Positions 5-6 of the BIC are the country code. For a transfer to Germany this should be "DE". If the country code does not match, ask the recipient.

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