Bank of Algeria SWIFT/BIC code

BALGDZAL – the SWIFT/BIC code of Bank of Algeria

BALGDZAL and BALGDZALXXX are two spellings of the same bank identifier, and both lead to Bank of Algeria in Algiers. Every bank on the SWIFT network uses BIC codes to route international transfers to the right institution. In daily life you mostly see it on international invoices, in your banking app and in the bank details that Bank of Algeria provides.

Below you will find the practical side: money coming in from abroad, paying someone in another country and how to check the code before you hit send. A SWIFT code names a bank or branch, not a specific account, which is why you always need the account number too.

How up to date is this code?

The directory on GoldexPay is compiled from publicly available sources and we update it periodically. Institutions reorganise, change names and change codes – a directory can be a step behind. The figures we show are based on what is in our directory and not on information from Bank of Algeria itself.

Treat the information here as a helpful check and rely on the recipient or Bank of Algeria for the final confirmation. GoldexPay is a comparison service for money transfers and not affiliated with Bank of Algeria. Found outdated information? Tell us via our contact form so we can correct it.

Verifying the SWIFT code of Bank of Algeria

The best place to find the correct BIC remains paperwork issued by the bank like a bank statement or the account page in online banking. When the code you were given does not match BALGDZAL or BALGDZALXXX, stop and ask.

Errors in the BIC tend to be annoying rather than fatal: often the payment comes back, minus fees. A mistake in the account number can be more serious; check it just as carefully.

An automatic check in your banking app only confirms that the code is valid – not that it belongs to the person you mean to pay. Some banks now compare the name with the account before you confirm. When you pay someone new, many people send a small amount first before sending the rest.

Paying someone abroad from your Bank of Algeria account

If you transfer money to another country through Bank of Algeria, the visible fee is only part of the cost. Besides the transfer fee, banks in between can take a cut, and if currencies are converted the bank usually uses a rate below the real market rate.

Many banks rarely show their exchange rate markup separately – you only notice it if you compare. An easy check: set the bank’s rate next to the mid-market rate and look at the difference.

Specialised transfer providers frequently offer a rate near the mid-market rate. GoldexPay compares transfer providers side by side so you can see the amount the recipient gets before you commit. You can always use your account at Bank of Algeria to fund the transfer.

Protect yourself against fake payment requests

Stay alert if a contact suddenly wants you to send money to a different account. That BALGDZAL is a real code does not mean that the account is legitimate – fraudsters use real bank codes as well.

Do not rely on contact details from the same email that announces the new account. Be suspicious of urgent requests, odd spelling or a sender address that is slightly off. Acted too fast? Call your bank without delay and have them try to recall the payment.

Recipients are targeted too: a classic trick is a buyer who pays too much followed by a request to refund the difference abroad. A screenshot of a transfer proves nothing – check your own account.

Why Bank of Algeria has an 8- and an 11-character code

The layout of every SWIFT code is always the same: four characters for the institution, two for the country and a two-character location code. For Bank of Algeria, the 8-character core is BALGDZAL.

Most payment forms work with both lengths. If yours requires eleven characters, use BALGDZALXXX, otherwise BALGDZAL is fine.

In practice the code is typed in capitals. A single character can send a payment to a different institution.

Choosing between the 3 SWIFT codes of Bank of Algeria

With 3 codes in 1 cities, Bank of Algeria belongs to the banks that use individual codes for parts of the organisation. The head office code remains BALGDZALXXX.

Unless the recipient tells you otherwise, use BALGDZALXXX. A branch code only makes sense if the account holder specifically mentions it, which is more common for business accounts and specialised services.

The best way is to copy the code straight from the account holder’s invoice. Codes for branches are more likely to change than BALGDZALXXX when a bank merges or closes offices.

Transfer times and tracking a payment to Bank of Algeria

How quickly a transfer arrives at Bank of Algeria depends on a few things: the currency, how many intermediary banks are involved, cut-off times and differences in time zone. Transfers sent late in the day or on a weekend or public holiday usually go out the next business day. Compliance checks on larger or unusual payments may also cause a delay, even when all details are correct.

When a payment takes longer than expected, contact your bank for the status or the UETR. Specialist transfer services often provide a status in their app showing where the money is.

Only the sending bank is able to start an official trace or a recall; the receiving side usually has nothing to trace yet. Ask the sender for the payment receipt with the date and reference; that often settles the question quickly.

Getting paid from abroad into a Bank of Algeria account

A sender in another country needs several details about your account – incomplete details often cause delays. In practice that means: your name exactly as it appears on the account, your account number or IBAN, the SWIFT/BIC code BALGDZALXXX and, often, your address.

Certain banks want the name and address of Bank of Algeria in Algiers, so keep it at hand. A mistake in the IBAN can be more trouble than it looks, so copy the details from your online banking.

The amount you receive is often lower than the amount sent. Correspondent banks can take a fee, Bank of Algeria may charge for incoming payments, and if the currency changes, an exchange rate margin applies. Make clear with the sender who covers the fees, especially for larger amounts.