SWIFT/BIC codes in Bolivia

Bolivia: banks and their SWIFT/BIC codes

Our directory covers 27 banks and financial institutions in Bolivia. You will need a SWIFT/BIC code mainly for international transfers.

Look for the bank you need in the list and click through for all codes we have. The rest of this page covers the structure of the codes, what transfers cost and the checks worth doing before you send money.

Recognising a SWIFT code from Bolivia

Every SWIFT/BIC code consists of eight or eleven characters in a fixed order. The first four letters stand for the bank, characters five and six are the country code and the next two give the location.

In every code from Bolivia, letters five and six show the ISO country code of Bolivia – that is the quickest way to spot one. A code with other letters in that position belong to a bank abroad – a quick way to catch mistakes.

The long version ends in a branch code – XXX stands for the head office. Use a branch code just if the recipient explicitly gives you one; otherwise the head office code is the safe choice.

Most SWIFT codes in Bolivia: Banco Nacional de Bolivia

Of the 27 banks we list for Bolivia, Banco Nacional de Bolivia is listed with the largest number of codes. The head office uses BNBOBOLXXXX.

Banks differ in how many codes they register, so the count is not a ranking of size. If not a branch code is given, the head office code BNBOBOLXXXX works for a payment to Banco Nacional de Bolivia.

Sending money to Bolivia for less

When you send money to Bolivia through your bank, the stated fee is rarely all of the cost. Besides the fee, correspondent banks can take a cut, and when the money is converted the bank usually uses a less favourable rate than the real market rate.

The markup on the rate tends to be the largest part of the cost because it is hidden in the rate. Check the bank’s rate with the mid-market rate, the midpoint you see on financial news sites; the gap is what conversion costs you.

For many routes, a transfer service turns out to be cheaper than a traditional bank transfer, mainly because of the rate. GoldexPay compares these providers next to each other so you can see what actually arrives in Bolivia for the same amount sent.

Tracking a payment to Bolivia

An international transfer to Bolivia typically takes anywhere from one to several business days – it depends on currency, route and the banks in between. Bank holidays in Bolivia or in the sending country add extra days, because banks do not process payments on those days.

Many banks use SWIFT gpi, which lets them follow a payment from bank to bank. Every payment carries a unique transaction reference, the UETR, which the sending bank can use to trace it. Specialist transfer services often show a status online so you can follow the payment.

Incoming international payments in Bolivia

A sender in another country will ask for a few details about your account – 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 is in the list on this page. Some banks also ask for your bank’s address.

Do not be surprised if the amount credited is below what the sender paid. Correspondent banks can take a fee, and when currencies differ, a markup on the rate comes on top. For business payments, state how the fees are split, so nobody is left short.

Check the code before you pay

The best place to find the correct BIC is a document from the bank itself, such as a statement or the account page in online banking. A wrong code can cause delays, a payment being sent back or extra fees, so compare it with the list on this page.

We collect bank codes from publicly available data and check our list from time to time. Banks merge, close branches and retire codes, and no directory catches every change immediately. Use this list as a starting point, not as the final word; the recipient’s bank details are leading. GoldexPay is not a bank.

Fraudsters regularly use payment requests with new bank details. A valid BIC says nothing about whether a request is genuine.

Paying a bank in Bolivia from abroad

For Bolivia you will usually need a SWIFT/BIC code – Bolivia is not a SEPA country. Without the BIC, your bank cannot process the payment at all.

Not all countries use IBAN numbers; in that case the local account number is used instead. Ask the recipient exactly which details their bank needs for incoming international payments – many banks give clear instructions for this. International transfers sometimes go via one or more intermediary banks and fees can be taken along the way.