Vicat SWIFT/BIC code

Vicat SWIFT code: VCCAFR21

If an invoice shows VCCAFR21 or VCCAFR21XXX, it is the identical identifier for Vicat in France. Every bank on the SWIFT network uses BIC codes to direct international transfers to the correct bank. In daily life you usually come across it on invoices from abroad, in payment forms and on the account details that Vicat provides.

We wrote this page to help anyone who sends money to an account at Vicat without mistakes. A SWIFT code identifies a bank or branch, not a single account; the IBAN or account number does that.

Transfer times and tracking a payment to Vicat

There is no fixed delivery time for every transfer: some arrive the same day or the next, others take several business days. Weekends and public holidays in the sending or receiving country add a day or more, since banks do not process on those days. Occasionally a bank asks about the purpose of a payment, which can hold things up.

Many banks are connected to SWIFT gpi. Each gpi transfer carries a unique transaction reference, the UETR that banks can use to trace it. Save the payment confirmation until the recipient confirms – you will need it for any trace request.

A delayed transfer is traced from the sending side. Ask the sender for the payment receipt – it helps your own bank look for the money.

Receiving money from abroad at Vicat

Someone abroad who wants to pay you will ask for a few details from you, and missing ones are a common cause of delays. That means: your name exactly as it appears on the account, your IBAN or account number, the SWIFT/BIC code VCCAFR21XXX (or VCCAFR21) and, often, your postal address.

It helps to add the bank name and Courbevoie as well, since some forms ask for it. A typo in your account number is more trouble than it looks.

Do not be surprised if the amount credited is smaller than the amount on the sender’s receipt. Correspondent banks can take a fee, and when currencies differ, an exchange rate margin applies. On invoices, it is common to state how the fees are split to avoid a shortfall.

Changed bank details? Be careful

Scammers often send fake invoices containing new bank details. The fact that VCCAFR21 exists does not mean that a request mentioning it is legitimate; criminals use the codes of real banks too.

Verify new bank details through a separate channel like a call to a number from an earlier contract, never via the email that asked for the change. Be suspicious of urgent requests, odd spelling or a sender address that is slightly off. Acted too fast? Contact the bank you paid from straight away and ask them to start a recall; also report it to the police.

People receiving money are targeted too: one known trick is an overpayment and then sends a request to refund the difference abroad. A screenshot of a transfer is no proof; only your own account shows what has arrived.

Do you need VCCAFR21 for a SEPA transfer?

Since France is in the SEPA zone, a euro transfer to Vicat from within the SEPA area usually requires just an IBAN. Most banking apps do not require the BIC in that case.

For anything other than euros and from non-SEPA countries, VCCAFR21XXX remains part of the payment details. If a payment form has a field for the BIC regardless, entering VCCAFR21 is fine.

SEPA transfers usually arrive by the next business day; instant payments are faster if both banks offer them. Provided no currency is converted, a SEPA transfer tends to be inexpensive; it is the conversion that costs money.

Head office or branch code at Vicat?

Vicat has 2 different SWIFT/BIC codes. One of them is the head office code; the others belong to branches or departments.

Usually there is no need to pick a branch: payments sent to VCCAFR21XXX are routed within Vicat correctly. Only use a branch code when the account holder gives you that exact code.

When in doubt, check with the recipient for the exact BIC in their bank details. Codes are sometimes changed or retired over time.

How to check VCCAFR21 before you pay

The best place to find the correct BIC is paperwork issued by the bank, such as a statement or the account details in online banking. Compare it with VCCAFR21 here; if they differ, ask before you pay.

Errors in the SWIFT code tend to be costly more than disastrous. Do not forget the IBAN: an error there can be more difficult to correct than a wrong code.

Many banking apps validate the format of an IBAN and some suggest the matching BIC – that confirms the format, not the owner. Where available, a payee name check before sending adds an extra layer of safety. Sending a small amount first is a sensible step for large sums despite the extra fee.

A note on our data

This directory is compiled from public sources and we update it periodically. Still, banks merge, rename themselves or change codes. The figures on this page reflect our own data.

For a payment of any size, confirm the BIC with the recipient’s bank or with the recipient. GoldexPay is independent of Vicat; we are a comparison site for money transfers. Spotted outdated information? Let us know through the contact page so we can correct it.

The Euro and what conversion costs you

The local currency in France is the Euro (EUR). Money sent in a different currency is converted into EUR on its way to Vicat – and the bank that does it picks the rate. Every conversion eats into something.

Who does the conversion affects the final amount. Transferring the money directly in EUR often prevents an extra conversion – as long as your own rate is good.

Rates for EUR move all the time, and some providers let you lock in a rate. On larger amounts, a small difference in the rate adds up quickly.

Why Vicat has an 8- and an 11-character code

Each SWIFT/BIC code starts with an 8-character core: four letters for the bank, a two-letter country code and a two-character location code. Together, these eight characters form VCCAFR21.

Most payment forms work with either length. If a form requires eleven characters, enter VCCAFR21XXX.

As a rule the code is written in capitals and without spaces. Pasting the code beats retyping it.

Sending money abroad from Vicat

If you transfer money abroad through Vicat, the visible fee is rarely all of what you pay. On top of a fixed fee, correspondent or intermediary banks can take a cut, and when currencies are converted, the bank often applies a rate that is less favourable than the real market rate.

Many banks do not show their exchange rate markup as a cost – you only notice it if you compare. A simple test: put the rate you get against the mid-market rate and look at the difference.

Specialised transfer providers often offer a rate near the mid-market rate with clearer fees. Before your next transfer, it is worth comparing what arrives via GoldexPay. Choosing a specialist does not require closing your account at Vicat.