SWIFT/BIC codes in Philippines: banks starting with V

Bank SWIFT codes for Philippines

For Philippines our database holds 456 SWIFT/BIC codes, spread over 411 institutions. You will need a SWIFT/BIC code mainly when making international transfers and for payments in a foreign currency.

Choose the bank below to see its head office code and its other codes, plus practical notes for sending and receiving money. Further down you can read how a code from Philippines is put together, how to send money there without overpaying and what to check before you pay.

The largest SWIFT network in Philippines: Asiatrust Bank

Asiatrust Bank tops our list of Philippines banks in the number of SWIFT/BIC codes. Its main office uses ATDBPHM1XXX and that code covers most payments.

The number of codes tells you something about how it organises its payments than about how big it is. Unless a branch code is given, the head office code ATDBPHM1XXX works for a payment to Asiatrust Bank.

Banks in Philippines beginning with the letter :letter

This filter narrows the list to banks in Philippines starting with :letter, so you can find a bank faster. The totals mentioned above always cover all banks in Philippines.

Cannot find the bank? The registered name might begin with another word – think of the full legal name instead of the brand. Try the full list for Philippines if you do not know the exact name.

Paying a bank in Philippines from abroad

Because Philippines does not belong to SEPA, a transfer from abroad is usually sent as a SWIFT payment. This means you always need the BIC of the receiving bank.

Not every country uses IBAN numbers; in that case the local account number is used instead. Ask the recipient exactly which details their bank requires for payments from abroad; banks often publish instructions for this. Before it arrives, a transfer can go through correspondent banks.

About our data and how to check a code

The safest source for the BIC is the bank details provided by the recipient – an invoice, a statement or a screenshot from online banking. An incorrect BIC can cause a delay, a returned payment or additional charges, so compare it with the list on this page.

This list draws on publicly available sources and is updated regularly. Even so, banks merge or change codes and our data may lag behind. Treat our data as a reference: the bank details from the recipient come first. GoldexPay is an independent comparison site and is not affiliated with the banks listed.

Be wary of invoices containing changed bank details – a common fraud method. A real SWIFT code tells you nothing about who owns the account – scammers use the codes of real banks.

The cheapest way to send money to Philippines

If you send money to Philippines through your bank, the stated fee is only part of the cost. There is the transfer fee, possibly charges from intermediary banks and, most importantly, the exchange rate markup when currencies differ.

Most of the cost usually sits in the exchange rate, rather than in the fee: banks convert at a rate with a margin built in. Check the bank’s rate with the mid-market rate. The difference is your real cost.

For many routes, a transfer service is cheaper than a bank, mainly because of the rate. Before your next transfer to Philippines, take a minute to compare the total cost on GoldexPay.

The structure of a Philippines SWIFT/BIC code

A SWIFT code is either 8 or 11 characters long and the parts always come in the same order. Characters one to four stand for the bank, characters five and six form the country code and the next two mark the location.

No matter which bank, all Philippines codes have the same fifth and sixth letters, namely the ISO code of Philippines. A code with a different country code belong to a bank abroad.

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

Sending PHP to Philippines

Philippines uses the Philippine Peso, with the currency code PHP. When you pay money in a different currency, it has to be converted somewhere along the way – by your bank, a bank in between or the recipient’s bank.

Which bank converts the payment matters. Compare how much PHP arrives via different providers before choosing one. Rates for PHP change all the time, so a quote is usually valid only briefly.

When does money sent to Philippines arrive?

There is no single answer for payments to Philippines: many arrive the same day or the next, others take several business days. Bank holidays in either country add extra days to the journey.

Many banks use SWIFT gpi for faster and traceable payments. Every gpi transfer carries a unique transaction reference, the UETR. Specialist transfer services often show tracking in their app, which makes it easier to see where the money is.

Incoming international payments in Philippines

For a transfer from abroad in Philippines, the sender needs more than the BIC. Give them your name as registered with the bank, the IBAN or account number, your bank’s SWIFT code and your address, which some banks require.

The code of your bank is in our list. Certain banks may also want your bank’s address, so keep it at hand.

Do not be surprised if the amount credited is smaller than the amount on the sender’s receipt. Fees for incoming transfers differ from bank to bank; check the price list of your bank. On invoices, state how the fees are split to avoid a shortfall.