What are SWIFT codes?
Wire transfer is standard nowadays when transferring money from abroad to a commercial bank in the city of Manila, like the Philippine National Bank or Bank of the Philippines. A bank code can be used as a communication method for business purposes or international money transfers to your local bank account. Furthermore, it is essential for facilitating safe and effective money transfers, guaranteeing seamless cross-border transactions. Be aware that these services will require the bank's SWIFT code or the BIC code of the commercial bank you plan to use. Conveniently, numerous banks's SWIFT codes are easy to find. On that note, this article will provide a comprehensive list of the leading Philippine financial institutions and rural bank cities, complete with bank and SWIFT codes.
But first, how did SWIFT codes originate? SWIFT stands for Society of Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), offering secure messaging for cross-border money transfers between member institutions. SWIFT, the member-owned cooperative, was founded in 1973 with 239 banks from 15 countries and started offering communications services in 1977. Moreover, its SWIFTnet communications technology facilitates the sharing of financial transaction data between institutions.
SWIFT grants banks a Business Identifier Code (BIC) to send money across cross-border payments conveniently. Additionally, the SWIFT code is used for financial transactions, such as sending money made by this bank internationally. The code's function is to serve as a universal digital language for easy international money transfers. Hence, the idea allows for a simple, quick process. With that, financial organizations can safely, quickly, and accurately send and receive information using SWIFT, such as international wire transfers. Who could believe this massive electronic system sends and receives codes rapidly across banks via a cloud platform?
SWIFT BIC code consists of eight or eleven characters, which are assigned based on a three-part algorithm: the institution, the nation, and the locality (city, town, etc.). When a bank decides to use eleven characters, it typically does so to designate a particular branch.
- Four-character bank codes
- Two characters for the country code
- Two-letter location code
- The last three characters are the branch code.
List of SWIFT codes in the Philippines
The extensive list of SWIFT codes for the leading Philippine banks (and their specific bank branches) is provided below to help you save time and effort when sending money abroad to these establishments.
Asia United Bank Corporation (AUB): AUBKPHMM
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZBPHMX
Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited, Manila Branch: BKKBPHMM
Bank of America, N.A. Manila: BOFAPH2X
Bank of China, Manila Branch: BKCHPHMM
Bank of Commerce: PABIPHMM
Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI): BOPIPHMM
BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO): BNORPHMM
BNP Paribas, Manila Offshore Branch: BNPAPHMM
BPI Direct: BPDIPHM1
BPI Family Savings Bank: BPFSPHM1
BPI Globe Banko Inc.: BPGOPHM1
Cathay United Bank Co., Ltd., Manila Branch: UWCBPHMM
China Banking Corporation (China Bank): CHBKPHMM
China Bank Savings, Inc.: CHSVPHM1
CIMB Bank Philippines, Inc.: CIPHPHMM
Citibank, N.A., Makati Branch: CITIPHMX
Citibank, N.A., Manila Branch: CITIPHMXTSU
Citibank, N.A., Cebu Branch: CITIPHMXCBU
CTBC Bank (Philippines) Corp.: CTCBPHMM
Deutsche Bank AG: DEUTPHMM
Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP): DBPHPHMM
East West Banking Corporation (EastWest Bank): EWBCPHMM
Equicom Savings Bank, Inc.: EQSNPHM1
First Commercial Bank, Ltd., Manila Branch: FCBKPHMM
Globe Telecom, Inc. (GCash): GLTEPHMT
PH Branch: Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd. (HSBC Philippines): HSBCPHMM
HSBC Savings Bank (Philippines) Inc.: HBPHPHMM
Hua Nan Commercial Bank, Ltd., Manila Branch: HNBKPHMM
Industrial Bank of Korea, Manila Branch: IBKOPHMM
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Manila Branch: CHASPHMM
KEB Hana Bank: KOEXPHMM
Land Bank of the Philippines: TLBPPHMM
Maybank Philippines, Inc.: MBBEPHMM
Mega International Commercial Bank Co., Ltd., Manila Branch: ICBCPHMM
Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank): MBTCPHMM
Mizuho Bank, Ltd., Manila Branch: MHCBPHMM
MUFG Bank, Ltd., Manila Branch (formerly Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ): BOTKPHMM
Philippine Bank of Communications (PBCOM): CPHIPHMM
Philippine Business Bank (PPBUPHMM
Philippine National Bank (PNB): PNBMPHMM
Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank): PHSBPHMM
Philippine Veterans Bank: PHVBPHMM
Philtrust Bank (Philippine Trust Company): PHTBPHMM
Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC): RCBCPHMM
Robinsons Bank Corporation: ROBPPHMQ
Security Bank Corporation: SETCPHMM
Shinhan Bank Manila Branch: SHBKPHMM
Standard Chartered Bank—Makati Branch: SCBLPHMM
Standard Chartered Bank—Manila Branch: SCBLPHMMEQI
Sterling Bank of Asia Inc.: STLAPH22
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Manila Branch: SMBCPHMM
Tonik Digital Bank, Inc.: TODGPHM2
Taiwan Cooperative Bank Manila Offshore Banking Branch: TACBPHMM
Union Bank of the Philippines: UBPHPHMM
United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB): UCPBPHMM
United Overseas Bank Limited, Manila Branch: UOVBPHMM
Yuanta Savings Bank (formerly Tong Yang Savings Bank): TYBKPHMM
What is the use of bank codes?
"Bank code" is a general term for several identifying codes given to financial organizations. Generally, bank codes may consist of branch codes, routing numbers, sort codes, and other identifiers used by banking systems in particular nations. These codes are primarily used to identify certain banks and branches inside a country and for domestic transactions.
Are bank codes the same as SWIFT codes?
Bank and SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) codes have distinct but connected uses in the financial system. While bank and SWIFT codes are used to identify financial institutions, bank codes are more general. For instance, they can include different identifiers used within a nation, whereas the SWIFT codes are globally standardized for cross-border transactions and are used explicitly for international bank identification.
How do you find your bank's code?
The first place to look for your bank's code is their website, since many banks provide routing numbers and other pertinent data online. If you cannot locate the information there, customer support can help you obtain the required bank code, such as a routing number, SWIFT code, or another bank identifier code.
You can also look at your previous financial transactions, like bank statements, where your account information and the code might be printed. Using a mobile app or online banking for your bank could also be beneficial, as these services frequently show account details, including bank codes. Additionally, the other option you can use is to visit a branch and chat with a staff member if you still have trouble finding the code. They can help you and ensure you have the correct bank code for your domestic and foreign transactions.
Bank codes (BRSTN) of Philippine banks
The Philippines' bank codes are as follows:
- Asia United Bank Corporation (AUB): 011020011
- Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited: 010700015
- Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited: 010670019
- Bank of America, N.A.: 010120019
- Bank of China: 011140014
- Bank of Commerce: 010440016
- Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI): 010040018
- Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Limited: 010460012
- BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO): 010530667
- China Banking Corporation (China Bank): 010100013
- China Bank Savings, Inc.: 011129996
- Citibank, N.A.: 010070017
- CIMB Bank: 018010011
- CTBC Bank (Philippines) Corp.: 010690015
- Deutsche Bank AG: 010650013
- Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP): 010590018
- East West Banking Corporation (EastWest Bank): 010620014
- Equicom Savings Bank, Inc.: 010960017
- Globe Xchange, Inc. (GCash): 018040010
- First Consolidated Bank: 020780012
- PH Branch: Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd. (HSBC-PPhilippines): 010060014
- Industrial Bank of Korea: 011310019
- JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.: 010720011
- KEB Hana Bank: 010710018
- Land Bank of the Philippines: 010350025
- Maybank Philippines, Inc.: 010220016
- Mega International Commercial Bank Co., Ltd.: 010560019
- Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank): 010269996
- Mizuho Bank, Ltd.: 010640010
- MUFG Bank, Ltd., Manila Branch (formerly Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ): 010460012
- Philippine Bank of Communications (PBCOM): 010110016
- Philippine National Bank (PNB): 010080010
- Philippine Savings Bank (P.S. Bank): 010470992
- Philippine Veterans Bank: 010330016
- Philippine Trust Company: 010090039
- Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC): 010280014
- Robinsons Bank Corporation: 011070016
- Security Bank Corporation: 010140015
- Shinhan Bank: 011300016
- Standard Chartered Bank: 010050011
- Sterling Bank of Asia Inc.: 011190019
- Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation: 011280013
- Tonik Digital Bank: 011570011
- Union Bank of the Philippines: 010419995
- United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB): 010299995
- United Overseas Bank Philippines: 010270341
- Yuanta Savings Bank (formerly Tong Yang Savings Bank): 011130011
Common questions about SWIFT codes
Can banks transfer money without a bank SWIFT code?
Although it is possible, doing so means that the payments must be processed through slower, antiquated systems, which frequently rely in part on manual settlement. Due to this, sending money internationally is now more challenging, expensive, and unpredictable.
Do all banks in the Philippines use the SWIFT code?
Unfortunately, not every bank in the Philippines employs BIC or SWIFT codes. Smaller and rural banks might not be a part of the SWIFT network, even though many central banks and financial institutions in the Philippines are connected to it and have SWIFT codes. Additionally, if a bank does not have a SWIFT code, it could employ other systems or procedures for cross-border transactions.
SWIFT continues to have a leading position in the worldwide processing of transactional messages. Not to mention its recent diversification into new markets, including providing data for business intelligence and reporting utilities, demonstrates its commitment to innovation. With that said, SWIFT will maintain its dominant position in the market in the near to medium term.
Acquiring knowledge of bank identifying codes ensures secure and seamless transactions worldwide. This is crucial for anyone who has friends or family living overseas, in addition to independent contractors. By giving banks worldwide a consistent identification method, they expedite transactions by increasing productivity and decreasing processing errors and delays. Given that, SWIFT codes reduce the possibility of misdirecting payments by ensuring that money is accurately sent to the correct destination bank and branch.
Additionally, their worldwide reach makes it easier for banks in other nations to communicate with one another, promoting global investment and trade. SWIFT uses robust security measures to protect the transmission of financial messages, reducing the possibility of fraud and unauthorized access to private information.
