SWIFT/BIC codes in Bahamas
83 banks and financial institutions in Bahamas with 104 SWIFT/BIC codes in total.
The way a SWIFT/BIC code from Bahamas is built up
A SWIFT/BIC code has 8 or 11 characters. Each part has a fixed meaning:
- ADAI Bank code
- 4 letters that identify the bank.
- BS Country code
- 2 letters for the country (ISO 3166).
- F1 Location code
- 2 characters for the city or region of the head office.
- XXX Branch code
- 3 characters for a specific branch. XXX means the head office.
Bank SWIFT codes for Bahamas
On this page you find codes for 83 institutions in Bahamas – 104 codes altogether. A BIC tells every bank in the chain exactly which bank should receive an international payment.
Search for the recipient’s bank in the list and click through to see all codes we have. Further down you can read how a code from Bahamas is put together, how to send money there without overpaying and how to check a code before you pay.
When does money sent to Bahamas arrive?
An international transfer to Bahamas usually takes anywhere from one to several business days. Public holidays in either country add a day or more, because banks do not process payments on those days.
A growing number of banks are connected to SWIFT gpi for faster and traceable payments. Each gpi transfer carries a unique reference, the UETR, which the sending bank can use to trace it. Money transfer services often provide tracking online so you can follow the payment.
SWIFT transfers to Bahamas
For Bahamas you usually need the BIC, because the country is outside the SEPA area. Without the BIC, most banks cannot process the payment at all.
Not all countries use IBAN numbers. Ask the recipient exactly which details their bank needs for payments from abroad; banks often publish instructions for this. Before it arrives, a transfer can pass through correspondent banks that take a fee.
The largest SWIFT network in Bahamas: RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (Formerly Known AS Royal Bank of Canada Nassau)
RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (Formerly Known AS Royal Bank of Canada Nassau) leads the list for Bahamas in SWIFT/BIC codes. Its main office uses ROYCBSNSXXX.
Practice differs in how many codes they register. Paying someone at RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (Formerly Known AS Royal Bank of Canada Nassau)? Use ROYCBSNSXXX except when the recipient gives you a branch code.
Incoming international payments in Bahamas
Someone abroad who wants to pay you will ask for several details from you – incomplete details often cause delays. Give them the account holder’s name, your account number or IBAN, the BIC of your bank and your address.
The code of your bank appears in our list but always compare it with your own bank details. You can include your bank’s name and city as well because some forms have separate fields for it.
Do not be surprised if the amount credited is below what the sender paid. Charges on incoming payments differ from bank to bank. For business payments, agree who bears the costs to avoid a shortfall.
Check the code before you pay
The best place to find the right code is paperwork issued by the bank. A wrong code may lead to delays, a payment being sent back or additional charges.
We gather bank codes from publicly available data and check our list from time to time. Institutions merge, change names and change codes, and no directory catches every change immediately. Before any payment that matters, confirm the BIC with the recipient. GoldexPay is an independent comparison site.
Fraudsters regularly use fake invoices carrying new bank details. Before paying, verify changed details through a separate channel, using a number you already had.
What a transfer to Bahamas really costs
If you send money to Bahamas through a regular bank, the fee you see is only part of the cost. You pay the transfer fee, sometimes charges from intermediary banks and, above all, the exchange rate markup when currencies differ.
The real cost is often in the rate, rather than in the fee – the bank builds a margin into its rate. Check the bank’s rate against the mid-market rate that you find on financial sites. The difference is your real cost.
Specialised transfer providers frequently use rates closer to the mid-market rate and lower fees. Before your next transfer to Bahamas, it is worth to compare the total cost on GoldexPay instead of going straight to your bank.
The structure of a Bahamas SWIFT/BIC code
A BIC is either 8 or 11 characters long and the parts always come in the same order. The first four letters identify the bank, characters five and six are the country code and characters seven and eight mark the location.
In every code from Bahamas, letters five and six show the ISO country code of Bahamas. A code with other letters in that position belong to another country.
The long version adds a branch code. For most transfers the head office code is fine, unless the recipient gives you a branch code.
Frequently asked questions
How many banks in Bahamas have a SWIFT/BIC code?
Our directory lists 83 banks and financial institutions in Bahamas with 104 SWIFT/BIC codes, including branches and departments.
What is the cheapest way to send money to Bahamas?
Banks often add a markup to the exchange rate on top of a fee. Check what arrives in Bahamas across transfer services to save money.
How do I recognise a SWIFT/BIC code from Bahamas?
The fifth and sixth characters of each SWIFT/BIC code are the country code. For Bahamas this is BS.
Do I need a SWIFT code to send money to Bahamas?
Yes – Bahamas does not use SEPA, so payments from abroad go through SWIFT and you need the BIC of the bank and the account details.
How long does a transfer to Bahamas take?
An international payment to Bahamas usually takes 2–5 business days. Specialist transfer services are often faster and cheaper.
Source: listbase-org SWIFT/BIC database (MIT licence), updated monthly. Always verify the code with the recipient or their bank.