Colas SA SWIFT/BIC code

CLLAFR21 – the SWIFT/BIC code of Colas SA

The 8-character code CLLAFR21 and the 11-character code CLLAFR21XXX identify one and the same institution: Colas SA. The code has a single purpose: it ensures that an international payment reaches the right bank. You will need it mostly for payments that cross a border and payments in foreign currencies.

On this page we explain what the code is put together, when you need it and which other details a transfer to or from Colas SA requires. A SWIFT code names an institution, never a single account; the IBAN or account number does that.

SEPA payments and the Colas SA BIC

Because France is part of SEPA, a euro transfer to Colas SA from another SEPA country normally only needs an IBAN. Many banks do not require the BIC in that case or fill it in for you.

The BIC still matter for payments in other currencies, and for transfers from outside SEPA. If a payment form has a field for the BIC anyway, entering CLLAFR21 is fine.

SEPA transfers normally land by the next business day, and instant transfers in seconds where both banks support them. Charges on SEPA payments tend to be low.

Which of the 2 codes of Colas SA do you need?

Having 2 codes in 1 cities, Colas SA belongs to the banks that use separate codes for branches and departments. The head office code remains CLLAFR21XXX.

Usually you do not need to look up a branch: payments addressed to CLLAFR21XXX are routed within Colas SA correctly. Just use a branch code when the account holder explicitly asks for it, for example on a letter or invoice.

If you are not sure, check with the recipient which code their bank gave them. Branch codes are sometimes changed or retired over time, so a code from an old document is not always valid.

Sending money abroad from Colas SA

The price of a payment abroad is made up of more than one component. There is the fee for the transfer itself, possibly charges from correspondent banks along the way and, most importantly, the exchange rate markup if the currency changes.

That exchange rate margin is often the biggest cost because it is hidden in the rate. A simple test: set the bank’s rate next to the mid-market rate and look at the difference.

For a lot of routes, a specialist provider is cheaper than a traditional bank transfer – mostly thanks to the rate. GoldexPay lists these services next to each other, showing what actually arrives. Choosing a specialist does not mean leaving Colas SA.

What the XXX in CLLAFR21XXX means

The layout of a BIC is always the same: four characters for the institution, a two-letter country code and two for the location, plus an optional branch code. That gives you CLLAFR21, the short form of the code.

XXX at the end of CLLAFR21XXX is not a missing value or an error: it indicates the main office of Colas SA. Some banking apps insist on 11 characters, in which case you simply enter XXX after CLLAFR21.

Leave out spaces, dots when you type CLLAFR21. Copying the code is safer than typing it by hand.

Incoming international payments to Colas SA

When you are waiting for money from abroad, give the sender all details at once. The basics are: your name, account number or IBAN, CLLAFR21XXX and, for some countries, your home address.

The sender’s bank may request the bank address of Colas SA. A typo in the IBAN can be more trouble than it looks.

Money from abroad does not always land in full. Intermediary banks may deduct a fee, Colas SA may charge for incoming payments, and when currencies differ, a markup on the rate comes on top. Agree with the sender who covers the fees before the money is sent.

How up to date is this code?

We gather SWIFT/BIC codes using public sources and check them from time to time. It can happen that information here is no longer current, for example after a merger. The number of codes we show are based on our own data, not official figures from Colas SA.

Use this page as a reference, rather than as the last word – the bank details from the recipient are leading. GoldexPay is a comparison site for money transfers and not part of Colas SA. Found outdated information? Tell us via our contact form so we can correct it.

Paying into Colas SA in EUR

France uses the Euro. When you pay money in a different currency, the amount has to be converted at some point – by your bank, by Colas SA or by a bank in between. There is rarely a separate charge for the conversion – the cost sits in the rate.

Where the conversion happens affects the final amount. Often you pay less if you send EUR directly through a provider with a good rate.

Exchange rates move all the time. For regular payments, small differences in the rate make a real difference over a year.

Is CLLAFR21 still correct? How to check

The best place to find the right code remains a document from the bank itself, such as a statement or the account details in online banking. Check it with CLLAFR21 here and ask if anything does not match.

A wrong SWIFT code may lead to delays, a payment being sent back or additional charges for investigation. A mistake in the account number can be more serious; check it just as carefully.

Many banking apps validate the structure of IBANs and sometimes look up the BIC automatically. Where available, a payee name check before sending gives extra certainty. Sending a small amount first can be a sensible step for a large first payment.

When will the money arrive at Colas SA?

There is no single delivery time for international payments: some land within a day. Weekends and public holidays in the sending or receiving country add extra days. Extra checks by one of the banks can also cause some delay, even when all details are correct.

If the money is delayed, contact the sending bank about the tracking status or the UETR; with that reference banks can see where the payment is. Specialist transfer services usually show tracking online so you can see where the payment has got.

If the money does not arrive after a few business days, the sender should start with their own bank, not the receiving bank. Request from the sender a copy of the payment confirmation with the date and reference; that often settles the question quickly.

Protect yourself against fake payment requests

A common scam works like this: an email arrives with a message saying that a supplier now has new bank details and that the next payment should go there. A correct SWIFT code tells you nothing about whether the request is genuine.

Verify changed bank details through a different channel like a call to a number from an earlier contract, never via the email that asked for the change. Watch out for time pressure, odd spelling or an email address that differs by one letter. If money was sent to the wrong account, contact your bank immediately.

Recipients are targeted too: one known trick is a buyer who pays too much followed by a request to refund the difference. Wait until the money is actually in your account and check with Colas SA if anything seems off.