Atfbank JSC SWIFT/BIC code

Atfbank JSC SWIFT code: ALMNKZKA

ALMNKZKA and ALMNKZKAXXX are two spellings of the same SWIFT/BIC code, and both point to Atfbank JSC in Almaty. Banks worldwide use BIC codes to direct international transfers to the right institution. You will need it mainly for transfers between countries.

Below you will find the practical questions: money coming in from abroad, sending money abroad and how to check a SWIFT code before you hit send. A SWIFT code names an institution, never a single account; the IBAN or account number does that.

How long does an international transfer to Atfbank JSC take?

A SWIFT payment usually takes one to a few business days. Transfers sent after the cut-off time or on a weekend or public holiday often start the next business day. Extra checks by one of the banks can also add some delay.

When a payment takes longer than expected, ask the sending bank for the status or the UETR so they can trace it along the chain. Save your transfer receipt until the money has arrived.

A missing payment has to be traced by the sending bank. Request from the sender the payment receipt including the reference.

Head office or branch code at Atfbank JSC?

Having 2 codes in 1 locations, Atfbank JSC belongs to the banks that register separate codes for branches and departments. The main code remains ALMNKZKAXXX.

For most incoming transfers, the head office code ALMNKZKAXXX is what you need. When you receive a specific code, stick to it instead of replacing it with the head office code.

If you are not sure, check with the recipient which code their bank gave them. Branch codes are more prone to change than the head office code when a bank merges or closes offices.

8 or 11 characters: ALMNKZKA versus ALMNKZKAXXX

Every SWIFT/BIC code has the same eight core characters: a four-letter bank code, a two-letter country code and two characters for the location. For Atfbank JSC, that core is ALMNKZKA.

Most banks and apps work with either length. If a form requires eleven characters, enter ALMNKZKAXXX, otherwise ALMNKZKA is fine.

Type the code as one block, in capitals and without spaces. Watch for O versus 0 and I versus 1, a common source of typos.

Getting paid from abroad into a Atfbank JSC account

For a transfer from abroad at Atfbank JSC, the sender needs more than the SWIFT code. Share the account holder’s name, the IBAN or account number, the BIC ALMNKZKAXXX and your address, which some banks require.

It helps to add Atfbank JSC and Almaty as well. Double-check the details before you share them, because the sender’s bank usually copies them as is.

The amount you receive can be lower than the amount sent. Intermediary banks may deduct a fee and your own bank may charge for processing, and if the money is converted, a markup on the rate comes on top. Agree with the sender who covers the fees.

Protect yourself against fake payment requests

Be wary when a contact suddenly asks you to send money to another account. The fact that ALMNKZKA exists is no guarantee that a request mentioning it is legitimate – fraudsters use real bank codes as well.

Verify changed payment details through a different channel, never via the email that asked for the change. Pressure and requests to keep it quiet are warning signs. When money has already gone to a fraudster, call your bank right away – speed improves the chance of getting it back.

Scams can also work the other way. Someone sends more than agreed and asks you to refund the extra via a different route. A payment confirmation from the sender is no proof; only your own account shows what has arrived.

Sending money abroad from Atfbank JSC

A bank transfer abroad costs more than the listed fee. You pay the transfer fee, sometimes charges from correspondent banks in between and, most importantly, the exchange rate markup.

Many banks rarely list the margin on the rate as a cost, but you pay it all the same. Check the rate you are offered against the mid-market rate, the midpoint between buy and sell rates you see on financial sites. The difference is your real conversion cost.

Specialised transfer providers frequently offer a rate near the mid-market rate and lower fees. Before your next transfer, take a minute comparing the total cost on GoldexPay instead of going straight to your bank. Using a transfer service does not require closing your account at Atfbank JSC.

Verifying the SWIFT code of Atfbank JSC

The safest source for the BIC is the recipient’s own bank details: an invoice, a bank statement or their online banking. When the code you were given differs from ALMNKZKA or ALMNKZKAXXX, stop and ask: check with the recipient or with Atfbank JSC directly.

A wrong SWIFT code may lead to a delay, a payment being sent back or additional charges for investigation. Remember the IBAN: an error there is harder to undo than a wrong code.

Most online banking apps validate the format of an IBAN and sometimes look up the BIC automatically – that confirms the format, not the owner. More and more banks compare the payee name against the account. When you pay someone new, some people send a small test amount and wait for confirmation.

A note on our data

The details here come from public sources. Banks merge, close branches and retire codes – a directory can be a step behind. The number of codes we show are based on what is in our directory, not official figures from Atfbank JSC.

For a payment that matters, confirm the BIC with the recipient’s bank or with the recipient. We are an independent comparison service for money transfers and not affiliated with Atfbank JSC. If you notice something that is out of date, we welcome a message.