Morgan Stanley Bank AG SWIFT/BIC code

Morgan Stanley Bank AG SWIFT code: MSFFDEFP

The short code MSFFDEFP and the 11-character code MSFFDEFPXXX refer to the same bank: Morgan Stanley Bank AG. A BIC does one job: it makes sure that an international payment reaches the right bank. You will need it mainly when dealing with payments that cross a border and payments in foreign currencies.

On this page we explain what the code is put together, when it matters and what else you need for a transfer to or from Morgan Stanley Bank AG. Remember that the BIC only identifies the bank, not the account: the account number or IBAN takes care of that.

Sending EUR to Morgan Stanley Bank AG

The local currency in Germany is the Euro (EUR). If you send another currency has to be converted at some point: by your bank, an intermediary or Morgan Stanley Bank AG itself. Every conversion eats into something.

Which bank converts the payment makes a difference. Compare how much EUR arrives with several services.

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

Watch out for payment fraud

Criminals regularly use fake invoices with new bank details sent from what looks like a familiar address. A valid SWIFT code tells you nothing about whether the request is genuine – scammers simply use real codes.

Never rely on a phone number in the same message that contains the new account. Watch out for time pressure, odd spelling or an email address that differs by one letter. If a payment has already gone to a fraudster, call your bank right away.

People receiving money can be targeted as well: a classic trick is a buyer who pays too much and then sends a request to refund the difference. A screenshot of a transfer is no proof.

How to check MSFFDEFP before you pay

The most reliable place for the right code remains paperwork issued by the bank like a bank statement or the account page in online banking. If the code you have differs from MSFFDEFP or MSFFDEFPXXX, stop and ask – contact the recipient or Morgan Stanley Bank AG.

If the code is wrong, the payment might get stuck, be returned or cost extra, and tracing it can take weeks. An error in the account number is a bigger problem, because the money may be credited to someone else, so check that just as carefully.

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 name check on the recipient gives an extra layer of safety. Sending a small amount first is worth it for a large first payment, even if it costs an extra fee.

Which of the 25 codes of Morgan Stanley Bank AG do you need?

Having 25 codes, Morgan Stanley Bank AG belongs to the banks that register separate codes for branches and departments. The head office code remains MSFFDEFPXXX.

If nobody asks you for a branch code, go with MSFFDEFPXXX. If you have been given a branch code, use it as it is rather than swapping it with the head office code.

Unsure which code to use? Check with the recipient. Codes are sometimes changed or retired when banks reorganise, so a code from an old document is not always valid.

MSFFDEFP or MSFFDEFPXXX – which one to use?

A BIC is made up of fixed blocks: the first four letters identify the bank, the next two show the country and the two after that indicate the location. Combined, these eight characters make up MSFFDEFP – the version you usually see online.

Most payment forms work with both lengths. If yours requires eleven characters, use MSFFDEFPXXX; if it wants eight, use MSFFDEFP.

As a rule the code is typed in capitals, without spaces or dashes. A single character can send a payment to another bank, so copy it carefully.

How long does an international transfer to Morgan Stanley Bank AG take?

A SWIFT payment typically needs anywhere from one to several business days – it depends on currency, route and the banks in between. Payments made after the cut-off time or on a weekend or public holiday usually start the next business day. Occasionally a bank wants to know about the purpose of a payment, which can hold things up.

A growing number of banks are connected to SWIFT gpi. Every payment carries a unique transaction reference, the UETR. Keep the payment confirmation until the money has arrived – you will need it for any trace request.

If the money does not arrive after a few business days, the person who paid needs to start with the bank that sent it, not the receiving bank. Ask the sender for a copy of the payment confirmation including the reference – it helps your own bank look for the money.

What a transfer from Morgan Stanley Bank AG abroad really costs

If you send money to another country from Morgan Stanley Bank AG, the visible fee is only part of the cost. You pay the fee for the transfer itself, possibly charges from correspondent banks along the way and, above all, the exchange rate markup.

That exchange rate margin tends to be the largest cost because it is hidden in the rate. Check their rate against the mid-market rate – the rate you find on financial news sites; the gap is what conversion costs you.

Money transfer services often offer rates closer to the mid-market rate. GoldexPay compares these services side by side so you can see what actually arrives for the same amount sent. Using a transfer service does not require leaving Morgan Stanley Bank AG.

How up to date is this code?

We collect bank codes from publicly available data and update our list from time to time. Institutions merge, close branches and change codes, and a directory never catches every change immediately. The number of codes we show reflect what is in our directory, not official figures from Morgan Stanley Bank AG.

Treat this page as a reference, rather than as the last word – the bank details from the recipient are leading. We are a comparison site for money transfers and not part of Morgan Stanley Bank AG. Spotted an error? Tell us through the contact page.

Incoming international payments to Morgan Stanley Bank AG

A sender in another country needs several details from you. That means: your name exactly as it appears on the account, your account number or IBAN, the BIC MSFFDEFPXXX (or MSFFDEFP) and usually your postal address.

It helps to add the bank name and Frankfurt Am Main too, since some forms ask for it. A typo in your account number can be harder to fix than you might think.

Money from abroad will not always arrive in full. Correspondent banks can take a fee and your own bank may charge for processing, and if the currency changes, a markup on the rate applies. Make clear with the sender who pays which costs before the money is sent.

Do you need MSFFDEFP for a SEPA transfer?

Because Germany is part of the SEPA zone, a euro payment to Morgan Stanley Bank AG from within the SEPA area usually requires just an IBAN. Most banking apps no longer ask for the BIC for these payments.

For anything other than euros and from non-SEPA countries, MSFFDEFPXXX remains required. Some forms also ask for the BIC out of habit; if so, fill in MSFFDEFP or MSFFDEFPXXX.

Instant euro transfers are increasingly supported across SEPA; check with Morgan Stanley Bank AG whether it applies to your account. As long as no currency is converted, a SEPA transfer tends to be inexpensive.