The Bank Identifier Code, also called SWIFT code: a globally unique code identifying banks and financial institutions for international transfers.
Format: 8 or 11 characters.
Example: DEUTDEFF (Deutsche Bank, Frankfurt).
Used alongside the IBAN to route cross-border payments to the right bank.
A six-digit code identifying bank branches in the United Kingdom for domestic payments.
Format: 6 digits, usually written XX-XX-XX.
Example: 20-00-00 (Barclays).
Used for Faster Payments, BACS and CHAPS transfers in the UK.
A Swiss IBAN variant used exclusively for payments with the Swiss QR-bill. It is linked to a dedicated collection account and used with a structured QR reference, which lets the recipient reconcile incoming payments automatically.
Format: same structure as a Swiss IBAN, but the bank identifier (QR-IID) falls within the reserved range 30000-31999.
Example: CH44 3199 9123 0008 8901 2.
A QR-IBAN cannot be used for standard or international transfers, only for QR-bill payments.
The Primary Account Number: the number printed on a credit or debit card, identifying the card account.
Format: 13 to 19 digits.
Example: 4111 1111 1111 1111 (Visa test card).
Used worldwide for card payments and transaction processing.
The Indian Financial System Code: an eleven-character code identifying bank branches in India for electronic payments.
Format: 11 alphanumeric characters.
Example: SBIN0005943 (State Bank of India).
Required for NEFT, RTGS and IMPS transfers in India.
The International Bank Account Number: a standardised format for identifying bank accounts, designed to make international transfers reliable.
Structure:
Length: fixed per country: 21 characters in Switzerland, 22 in the UK, 27 in France.
Example: CH93 0076 2011 6238 5295 7.
An IBAN contains no information about the account holder's name or balance.
How IBAN compares with other bank codes
| Code | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| IBAN | Up to 34 alphanumeric characters | CH93 0076 2011 6238 5295 7 |
| QR-IBAN | 21 characters | CH44 3199 9123 0008 8901 2 |
| ABA Routing Number | 9 digits | 021000021 |
| PAN | 13 to 19 digits | 4111 1111 1111 1111 |
| Sort Code | 6 digits | 20-00-00 |
| BSB Number | 6 digits | 082-900 |
| IFSC | 11 alphanumeric characters | SBIN0005943 |
| SWIFT/BIC Code | 8 or 11 alphanumeric characters | DEUTDEFF |
| CHIPS UID | 6 to 9 digits | 000123456 |
| CNAPS Code | 12 digits | 123456789012 |
A twelve-digit code identifying bank branches in China's national payment system, the China National Advanced Payment System (CNAPS).
Format: 12 digits.
Example: 123456789012 (illustrative).
Required for domestic RMB clearing and transfers within China.
The Clearing House Interbank Payments System Unique Identifier: a code identifying US banks within CHIPS, a large-value payment system.
Format: 6 to 9 digits.
Example: 000123456 (illustrative).
Used mainly for large US dollar wire transfers between financial institutions.
The Bank State Branch number: a six-digit code identifying a bank and branch for domestic payments in Australia.
Format: 6 digits, usually written XXX-XXX.
Example: 082-900 (National Australia Bank).
Used with the account number to route funds within Australian payment systems.
A nine-digit number identifying a specific bank or branch within the United States banking system. It routes domestic payments — such as ACH transfers and wire payments — to the correct institution.
Format: 9 digits, numeric only.
Example: 021000021 (JPMorgan Chase, New York).
ABA routing numbers are used exclusively inside the US banking system. For payments to or from Switzerland, the IBAN and BIC/SWIFT code play the equivalent routing role.
