SWIFT BIC code lookup: how to verify a bank's BIC
By the Vanguard Verify desk · Published 2026-10-25 · Updated 2026-11-04
Short answer: look the BIC up on SWIFT's free BIC search at swift.com, confirm it belongs to the exact bank and city named on the document, then confirm the account details by calling the bank on a number you found yourself. A valid BIC proves the bank exists, not that the account or the document is genuine.
A BIC (Business Identifier Code, often called a SWIFT code) identifies a financial institution on the SWIFT network. It appears on proof-of-funds letters, bank comfort letters, invoices, LC drafts and payment instructions. Fake offers often use a real bank's name with a wrong or altered BIC, or a real BIC paired with someone else's account.
How a BIC is built
| Characters | Meaning | Example (illustrative) |
|---|---|---|
| 1–4 | Institution code | ABCD |
| 5–6 | ISO country code | GB |
| 7–8 | Location code | 2L |
| 9–11 (optional) | Branch code; XXX or blank = head office | XXX |
A BIC is either 8 or 11 characters. Anything else is wrong.
Steps to verify a BIC
- Check the format. 8 or 11 characters, letters in the first six positions, and the country code must match the country of the bank's address.
- Run SWIFT's free BIC search. Enter the code on swift.com and confirm the institution name, city and branch returned match the document exactly.
- Cross-check with the bank's own website. Most banks publish their BIC for incoming international payments.
- Check the account holder. The beneficiary name should match the legal name of your counterparty as shown in its official company registry. A personal name or unrelated company is a warning.
- Call the bank independently. Use the switchboard number from the bank's official site, not the one on the document.
- Ask your own bank. Your bank can tell you whether a correspondent BIC is active and appropriate for the payment or message you expect.
Red flags
- The BIC returns a different bank, city or country than the letterhead.
- The bank's email domain differs from the bank's official domain (for example a free webmail address).
- Bank details change mid-deal "for compliance reasons".
- The document cites a "SWIFT transaction code" or screenshot as proof of a message. Real SWIFT messages are exchanged bank-to-bank; see how to verify an MT103.
- A seller asks the buyer to send money before any contract, or asks for a POF that is really a payment. Remember: the buyer gives POF, the seller gives POP — see POF vs POP.
This page is general information, not banking advice.
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FAQ
Is there a free SWIFT code checker?
Yes. swift.com offers a BIC search. Use it to confirm the BIC belongs to the bank and branch named in the offer, then confirm the account directly with that bank.
Is a SWIFT code the same as a BIC?
Yes. SWIFT code is the everyday name for a BIC, the Business Identifier Code used to identify institutions on the SWIFT network.
How many characters is a BIC?
Either 8 or 11. The last three characters are an optional branch code.
Does a valid BIC mean the bank account is real?
No. A valid BIC only proves the bank exists. Confirm the account and account holder directly with the bank.
Vanguard Verify is run by Vanguard Trade Capital Goods Wholesalers DWC-LLC, Dubai South, Licence 14282. This answer is general information, not legal or financial advice.