SWIFT/BIC codes in France: banks starting with D

France: banks and their SWIFT/BIC codes

This overview covers 2801 banks and other institutions in France, with 4924 SWIFT/BIC codes in total. A BIC shows every bank in the chain which institution should receive the money.

Each bank is listed with its own page showing the head office code and if there are any, codes for branches and departments. The rest of this page covers the structure of the codes, the cost of transfers and the checks worth doing.

Sending money to France for less

A bank transfer to France often costs rather more than you think. Besides the fee, correspondent banks may deduct a charge and, if currencies are converted, the bank usually uses a less favourable rate than the real market rate.

The real cost is often in the rate, rather than in the fee: banks convert at a rate with a margin built in. An easy check: put the rate you get against the mid-market rate and look at the difference.

For many routes, a transfer service is cheaper than a bank – mostly thanks to the exchange rate. GoldexPay compares these providers side by side, showing what actually arrives in France.

Banks in France beginning with the letter :letter

This filter limits the list down to banks from France that begin with :letter. The totals on this page cover all 2801 banks, not just the ones under :letter.

Cannot find the bank? Its official name may start with a different letter – think of the full legal name instead of the brand. Try the full list for France if you do not know how the name is spelled.

How reliable is this list?

Have the recipient send you the account details directly from a recent statement. If the code you have does not match the code listed here, do not guess.

Our SWIFT/BIC directory is compiled from public sources that we update periodically. Even so, banks merge, rename themselves or change codes. Before a payment of any size, check the code with the recipient. GoldexPay is an independent comparison site and is not affiliated with the banks listed.

Fraudsters regularly use fake invoices carrying changed bank details. Before paying, confirm a change of bank details through a separate channel, using a number you already had.

Which bank in France has the most codes?

Of all banks in France, Credit Agricole is listed with the largest number of codes. Its head office code is AGRIFRPP802.

Practice differs in whether they register branch codes. Making a payment to Credit Agricole? Use AGRIFRPP802 unless a specific branch code is requested.

Incoming international payments in France

A sender in another country will ask for several details about your account – incomplete details often cause delays. Give them your name as registered with the bank, your account number or IBAN, your bank’s SWIFT code and your address, which some banks require.

The code of your bank is in the list on this page. It helps to include your bank’s name and city.

The amount you receive can be lower than what was sent. Intermediary banks may deduct a fee, your bank may charge for incoming payments, and if the money is converted, an exchange rate margin applies. Agree with the sender who covers the fees.

Transfer times to France

How fast money reaches France depends on several factors: which currency you send, the number of banks in between, cut-off times and differences in time zone. Bank holidays in either country can add a day or more.

If a transfer is delayed, ask the sender to contact the sending bank. Money transfer services often show a status online.

France and the Euro

France uses the Euro, with the currency code EUR. Money sent in a different currency is exchanged into EUR on its way to the recipient, and whoever converts it chooses the rate.

Where the conversion happens affects the final amount, as rates and margins differ per bank. In many cases it is cheaper to send EUR straight away via a transfer service that converts near the mid-market rate. Exchange rates change during the day – some providers let you lock in a rate.

France and the SEPA area

France belongs to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), the zone for uniform euro payments. For a regular euro transfer from another SEPA country, you normally only need the IBAN; many banks no longer ask for the BIC.

You still need a SWIFT code when sending payments in other currencies or transfers from countries outside SEPA. SEPA transfers usually arrive within one business day or faster with instant payments. Costs stay low provided everything stays in euros.

What the letters in a France BIC mean

SWIFT/BIC codes use the same format worldwide: 8 characters, sometimes followed by three more. The first four letters identify the bank, characters five and six are the country code and characters seven and eight mark the location.

You can recognise a bank code from France by the fifth and sixth characters – those always form the country code of France. If those two letters point to another country, you are looking at a bank somewhere else, so check again.

If the last three are XXX, it refers to the head office and the short version works just as well. Use a branch code only when the recipient’s bank asks for it; otherwise the head office code is the safe choice.