There are two internationally recognized, standardized methods of identifying bank accounts when a transfer is being made from one country to another: the International Bank Account Number (IBAN) and the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) code. The difference between the two methods lies in what they identify.
A SWIFT code is used to identify a specific bank during an
international transaction, whereas IBAN is used to identify an individual
account involved in the international transaction. Both play an essential role
in the smooth running of the international financial market.
The SWIFT system pre-dates attempts to standardize
international banking transactions through IBAN. It remains the method by which
the majority of international fund transfers are made. One of the main reasons
for this is that the SWIFT messaging system allows banks to share a
significant amount of financial data.
This data includes the status of the account, debit and
credit amounts, and details related to the money transfer. Banks often use the
bank identifier code (BIC) instead of the SWIFT code. However, the two are
easily interchangeable; both contain a mix of letters and numbers and are
generally between eight and 11 characters in length.
Key Differences Between SWIFT code and IFSC code.
The important differences between SWIFT code and IFSC code
are mentioned below:
1. SWIFT
Code is an acronym for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial
Telecommunication Code. IFSC code is short for Indian Financial System Code
2. SWIFT
code is a globally recognized code, used at the time of international credit
transfer between banks and also when there is an exchange of messages between
banks. IFSC Code is a unique identification code of a bank-branch used for the
purpose of digital money transfer.
3. The SWIFT
code is approved by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Conversely; IFSC code is developed by Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
4. Only
those banks can take part in an international wire transfer, which is SWIFT
code enabled. As opposed to, IFSC code is provided to all the Indian bank
branches.
4.The SWIFT code consists of 8 or 11 characters. Unlike IFSC
code, that consists of 11 characters.
6. In international money transfers
(SWIFT code) the fees charged is higher as compared to national transfers (IFSC
code).
7. You can
find SWIFT code on the bank’s website or the account statement while IFSC code
can be found in Bank-branch cheque book and RBI website.
Prepared by M.Ajmal Khan.