Credit Lyonnais SWIFT/BIC code

SWIFT/BIC code of Credit Lyonnais

The 8-character code CRLYFRPP and the 11-character code CRLYFRPPXXX refer to one and the same institution: Credit Lyonnais in Lyon, France. A SWIFT code tells the sending bank exactly which bank is meant to get the money, much like a postcode for banks. You will need it mostly when dealing with payments that cross a border or a currency.

Further down we go through the practical side: money coming in from abroad, sending money abroad and how to check the code before you hit send. The BIC names an institution, not a specific account.

Do you need CRLYFRPP for a SEPA transfer?

Because France is part of SEPA, a euro transfer to Credit Lyonnais from within the SEPA area normally only needs an IBAN. Most banking apps no longer ask for the BIC for these payments or fill it in for you.

For anything other than euros and from non-SEPA countries, CRLYFRPPXXX remains part of the payment details. Some banks and apps also show a field for the BIC out of habit; in that case, fill in CRLYFRPP.

Instant payments in euros have become increasingly available across SEPA – whether Credit Lyonnais offers them for your account is worth checking. Fees for SEPA transfers are generally low as long as everything stays in euros.

International transfers from Credit Lyonnais: the real cost

A bank transfer abroad can cost rather more than the listed fee. There is the fee for the transfer itself, sometimes charges from correspondent banks in between and, above all, the margin on the exchange rate.

Many banks do not list the margin on the rate separately – you only notice it if you compare. A simple test: set the bank’s rate against the mid-market rate and look at the difference.

Money transfer services often use a rate near the mid-market rate. GoldexPay compares what recipients receive across providers, so you can pick the cheapest route. Choosing a specialist does not require leaving Credit Lyonnais: you simply pay the service from your account.

Changed bank details? Be careful

Criminals often send fake invoices containing new bank details, sometimes in an email that looks completely genuine. A real SWIFT code says nothing about whether the request is genuine.

Check changed payment details through a separate channel, such as a phone number you already know, not by replying to the message. Be suspicious of time pressure, unusual wording or a sender address that is slightly off. Acted too fast? Call the bank you paid from without delay and have them try to recall the payment; also report it to the police.

Scams can also work the other way. Someone sends more than agreed and wants you to refund the difference. A payment confirmation from the sender is no proof – check your own account.

Verifying the SWIFT code of Credit Lyonnais

Ask the recipient to send you the account details straight from their online banking. Check that code against CRLYFRPP on this page.

Mistakes in the BIC are annoying more than fatal. An error in the IBAN or account number can be a bigger problem because it can reach the wrong person, so check that just as carefully.

An automatic check in your banking app only tells you that the code is valid – not that it belongs to the person you mean to pay. If your bank offers it, a name check on the recipient gives an extra layer of safety. Sending a small amount first is a sensible step for a large first payment despite the extra fee.

Where our SWIFT data comes from

The details here are taken from public sources. It is possible that information here is out of date, for example after a merger. The number of codes we show are based on what is in our directory and not on information from Credit Lyonnais itself.

Treat our directory on this page as a handy check and rely on the recipient or Credit Lyonnais for the final confirmation. We are a comparison service and not part of Credit Lyonnais. Found outdated information? Let us know through the contact page so we can correct it.

What the XXX in CRLYFRPPXXX means

The structure of every SWIFT code is always the same: four characters for the institution, two for the country and two for the location, sometimes followed by a branch code. For Credit Lyonnais, that core is CRLYFRPP.

XXX at the end of CRLYFRPPXXX is not a placeholder or an error: it indicates the main office of Credit Lyonnais. Some forms insist on 11 characters, and then you can add XXX after CRLYFRPP.

In practice the code is typed in capitals, without spaces or dashes. Watch for the letter O and the digit 0 or I versus 1.

Head office or branch code at Credit Lyonnais?

We have 7 SWIFT/BIC codes for Credit Lyonnais. Besides the head office code CRLYFRPPXXX, there are codes for branches, departments or specific services.

Usually you do not need to pick a branch: transfers addressed to CRLYFRPPXXX are routed within Credit Lyonnais correctly. Branch codes are only needed if the recipient’s bank explicitly asks for it.

The best way is to copy the code directly from the recipient’s statement. Codes are sometimes changed or retired when banks reorganise.

Sending EUR to Credit Lyonnais

The national currency in France is the Euro (EUR). When you pay money in a different currency, the amount has to be converted somewhere along the way: by your bank, an intermediary or Credit Lyonnais itself. Each conversion eats into the amount – usually through the rate rather than a fee.

Which bank converts the payment matters. Transferring the money already in EUR usually avoids a second conversion by Credit Lyonnais, provided the rate you get is fair.

The rate for EUR changes constantly and quotes are often valid only for a short time. On larger amounts, a seemingly small difference in the rate adds up quickly.

Transfer times and tracking a payment to Credit Lyonnais

How quickly a payment reaches Credit Lyonnais depends on several factors: the currency, the number of banks in between, daily processing deadlines and time zones. Bank holidays in either country add extra days to the journey. Compliance checks by one of the banks can also add a delay.

A growing number of banks are connected to SWIFT gpi. Each payment carries a unique transaction reference, the UETR. Keep your transfer receipt until the money has arrived.

If a payment has not arrived after a few business days, the person who paid should contact their own bank rather than Credit Lyonnais. As a recipient, it helps to look at your account for a partial amount.

What to give a sender who pays you at Credit Lyonnais

To receive a transfer from abroad at Credit Lyonnais, the person paying you has to have more than the BIC. Share your name as the bank knows it, the IBAN or account number, SWIFT code CRLYFRPPXXX and your address.

Certain banks also ask for the address of Credit Lyonnais; it does no harm to include it. A mistake in the IBAN can be more trouble than you might think.

Do not be surprised if the incoming amount is smaller than what the sender paid. Intermediary banks may deduct a fee, and when currencies differ, an exchange rate margin comes on top. Make clear with the sender who pays which costs, especially for larger amounts.