SWIFT/BIC codes in Philippines: banks starting with N

SWIFT/BIC codes in Philippines

This overview covers 411 banks and other institutions in Philippines, with 456 SWIFT/BIC codes in total. You need a SWIFT/BIC code mainly when making international transfers.

Search for the bank you need below and click through to see the full list of codes and what else a transfer requires. The rest of this page explain how the codes work, what transfers cost and how to avoid mistakes before you send money.

International payments to Philippines and the BIC

To pay into Philippines you almost always need a SWIFT/BIC code, because the country is outside the SEPA area. Without the BIC, your bank will not process the payment.

In some countries, the account is identified by a local account number rather than an IBAN and sometimes a local routing or branch code. The recipient’s bank usually provides instructions for incoming international payments, and it is worth following them to the letter. SWIFT payments sometimes go via correspondent banks and fees can be taken along the way.

Tracking a payment to Philippines

A SWIFT payment to Philippines typically takes one to a few business days, depending on the currency, the route and the banks involved. Bank holidays in Philippines or in the sending country can add extra days.

If the money seems late, ask the sender to contact the sending bank and ask for the status or the UETR; only the sending side can start an official trace. Save your transfer receipt – you will need it if something goes wrong.

Banks in Philippines beginning with the letter :letter

This filter narrows the list to banks from Philippines that begin with :letter. The counts in the introduction always refer to all banks in Philippines.

If a bank does not appear under :letter, check another letter: banks are often registered under their full legal name. Try the full list for Philippines when you do not know the exact name.

About our data and how to check a code

The most reliable place for the right code remains paperwork issued by the bank, such as a statement or the account page in online banking. When the code you were given differs from our list, stop and ask.

Our SWIFT/BIC directory draws on public sources. Institutions reorganise, change names and retire codes – a directory can be a step behind. Treat this list as a starting point. GoldexPay is a comparison service.

Fraudsters often use fake invoices with new bank details from what looks like a familiar address. Before paying, confirm changed details through a separate channel on a number you know.

What the letters in a Philippines BIC mean

A BIC is 8 or 11 characters long and follows a fixed pattern. It starts with four letters for the bank, followed by two letters for the country and a two-character location code.

You can spot a bank code from Philippines from letters five and six: they always show the ISO country code of Philippines. If those two letters do not match Philippines, the code belongs to a bank somewhere else – worth double-checking.

An 11-character code ends in three characters for a branch. For most transfers the head office code is what you need.

Sending money to Philippines for less

A bank transfer to Philippines often costs rather more than you think. There is the transfer fee, possibly charges from intermediary banks and, most importantly, the exchange rate markup.

The markup on the rate tends to be the biggest part of the cost, even though it is not listed as a fee. Compare the bank’s rate with the mid-market rate.

Specialist money transfer services frequently use rates closer to the mid-market rate. GoldexPay compares transfer services next to each other so you can see what actually arrives in Philippines before you commit.

The Philippine Peso (PHP) and conversion costs

Philippines uses the Philippine Peso. When you pay money in a different currency, the amount has to be converted somewhere along the way.

Who does the conversion has an effect on the final amount, as rates and margins differ per bank. Check how much PHP arrives with different providers before choosing one. With bigger transfers, a seemingly small difference in the rate can be worth more than the fee.

Most SWIFT codes in Philippines: Asiatrust Bank

Asiatrust Bank tops the list of Philippines banks when it comes to SWIFT/BIC codes. Its head office code is ATDBPHM1XXX, which is the code to use when no branch is specified.

A large number of codes usually reflects that the bank registers branches and departments separately, not necessarily that the bank is the biggest in the country. Unless a branch code is given, ATDBPHM1XXX is fine for transfers to this bank.

Incoming international payments in Philippines

When you are waiting for a payment from another country in Philippines, send the payer all details at once. That means: your full name exactly as it appears on the account, your account number or IBAN, the SWIFT/BIC code of your bank and, often, your postal address.

Find the bank in the list on this page – your bank statement is the final word. Certain banks also ask for the name and address of your bank; it does no harm to include it.

The amount you receive can be less than the amount sent. Charges on incoming payments vary from bank to bank – your bank’s price list tells you what applies. For business payments, agree who bears the costs.