'/%3e%3cpath%20d='m711.6%20144%2036-36-36-36a71.9%2071.9%200%200%200-62.3%2036%2071.9%2071.9%200%200%200%2062.3%2036z'%20class='st2'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M44.5%2063c11.3%200%2021.2%205%2026.5%2017.1%205.8-11%2016.9-17.1%2029-17.1%2022%200%2031.9%2015.7%2031.9%2034.7v52.9H115v-47.3c0-13.9-4.1-26.1-18.9-26.1-15.5%200-21.6%2014-21.6%2027.4v46.1H57.4V99.9c0-13.3-4.5-22.7-18-22.7-12.4%200-21.8%2011.2-21.8%2028.1v45.4H.7v-67c0-4.5-.2-12.8-.7-18.4h16c.4%204.3.7%2010.4.7%2014h.5C21.6%2070.4%2031.5%2063%2044.5%2063zM200.7%20153c-26.1%200-45.9-18.9-45.9-45.2S174.6%2063%20200.7%2063c26.1%200%2046.1%2018.5%2046.1%2044.8s-20%2045.2-46.1%2045.2zm0-76c-18.2%200-28.4%2014.6-28.4%2030.8%200%2016.2%2010.3%2031%2028.4%2031%2018.4%200%2028.4-14.8%2028.4-31S219.1%2077%20200.7%2077zM285.5%2065.3c.4%204.3.7%2010.4.7%2014h.5c4.1-9.2%2015.5-16.4%2027.7-16.4%2022%200%2031.9%2015.7%2031.9%2034.7v52.9h-16.9v-47.3c0-13.9-3.8-26.1-19.4-26.1-13.3%200-22.9%2011.2-22.9%2028.1v45.4h-16.9v-67c0-4.5-.2-12.8-.7-18.4h16zM383.6%2045.4c-6.1%200-11.2-4.9-11.2-10.8%200-6.1%205-11%2011.2-11s11.3%204.7%2011.3%2011c0%206.1-5.2%2010.8-11.3%2010.8zm8.4%20105.3h-16.9V65.3H392v85.4zM463.3%2079.2h-22.7v44.5c0%2010.3%203.6%2014.4%2012.1%2014.4%203.1%200%207-.7%209.9-2.2l.5%2013.9c-4%201.4-9.2%202.3-14.4%202.3-16%200-24.8-9-24.8-26.6V79.2h-16.4V65.3h16.4V40.9h16.7v24.5h22.7v13.8zM521.1%20153c-26.1%200-45.9-18.9-45.9-45.2S495%2063%20521.1%2063c26.1%200%2046.1%2018.5%2046.1%2044.8s-20%2045.2-46.1%2045.2zm0-76c-18.2%200-28.4%2014.6-28.4%2030.8%200%2016.2%2010.3%2031%2028.4%2031%2018.4%200%2028.4-14.8%2028.4-31S539.5%2077%20521.1%2077z'%20class='st3'/%3e%3c/svg%3e)
BIC
A BIC (Bank Identification Code) is an alphanumeric code to identify specific banks around the world. The BIC is functionally identical to a SWIFT code and serves the same purpose.
BICs are used to identify the recipient’s bank network, and are used together with other information like account numbers and routing numbers. A BIC allows for the faster and easier exchange and deposit of currency around the world and is an essential part of international money transfers.
BICs are formatted in the same way and are identical to a SWIFT code. The first four characters are letters and specify the bank’s name. The next two characters are also letters and define the country code where the bank is located. The next two characters are alphanumeric and help to specify the bank’s location. There may be a final three alphanumeric characters that provide further details on the bank.
The organization that defines and controls SWIFT also defines and controls BICs. They are a global member-owned cooperative and the world’s leading provider of secure financial messaging services.
BIC — Related terms
BICs are related to bank identifiers, SWIFT, IBAN, ACH, SWIFT-BIC, SWIFT ID, CLABE, Canadian transit numbers, routing numbers, account numbers and sort codes.
The Monito Glossary
When it comes to moving money, don't let yourself be bogged down by all the jargon. Explore The Monito Glossary to get up to speed with everything you need to know about money transfers.
Other Popular Money Transfer Definitions
Why Trust Monito?
You’re probably all too familiar with the often outrageous cost of sending money abroad. After facing this frustration themselves back in 2013, co-founders François, Laurent, and Pascal launched a real-time comparison engine to compare the best money transfer services across the globe. Today, Monito’s award-winning comparisons, reviews, and guides are trusted by around 8 million people each year and our recommendations are backed by millions of pricing data points and dozens of expert tests — all allowing you to make the savviest decisions with confidence.
![]()
Monito is trusted by 15+ million users across the globe.
![]()
Monito's experts spend hours researching and testing services so that you don't have to.
![]()
Our recommendations are always unbiased and independent.
