SWIFT/BIC codes in Philippines: banks starting with Z

Philippines: banks and their SWIFT/BIC codes

On this page you find codes for 411 banks in Philippines. A BIC tells the banks handling a transfer which institution is meant to get the money.

Choose the bank from the list to see the head office code and any branch codes, plus practical notes for sending and receiving money. The sections below covers the structure of the codes, what transfers cost and how to avoid mistakes before a payment.

Incoming international payments in Philippines

For a transfer from abroad in Philippines, the sender needs not just the SWIFT code. 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 above, but take the code from your own bank details when in doubt. Certain sending banks may also ask for 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. Charges on incoming payments vary from bank to bank – your bank’s price list tells you what applies. Agree with the sender who covers the fees, especially for larger amounts.

The structure of a Philippines SWIFT/BIC code

A SWIFT code is either 8 or 11 characters long. First comes a four-letter bank code, followed by a two-letter country code and two characters for the location.

For banks in Philippines, characters five and six are the two-letter ISO code of Philippines – that is the quickest way to spot one. If the country letters point to another country, you are looking at a bank in another country, so check again.

The long version ends in three characters for a branch – XXX stands for the head office. Choose a branch code only when the recipient explicitly gives you one; otherwise the head office code is the safe choice.

Transfer times to Philippines

There is no fixed delivery time for transfers to Philippines: some arrive within a day while others need several business days. Payments made after the cut-off time or just before weekends and holidays often start a business day later.

Many banks use SWIFT gpi. Every gpi transfer gets a unique reference, the UETR that banks can use to see where the money is. Specialist transfer services often show a status online.

Sending PHP to Philippines

The national currency in Philippines is the Philippine Peso (PHP). A payment in a foreign currency is exchanged into PHP.

Which bank converts the money matters, because each party uses its own rate. Often you pay less to send PHP straight away through a provider with a good rate rather than letting the receiving bank convert. On larger amounts, even a small gap in the rate can be worth more than the fee.

Most SWIFT codes in Philippines: Asiatrust Bank

Of the 411 banks we list for Philippines, Asiatrust Bank has the most codes. The head office uses ATDBPHM1XXX.

Banks differ in how many codes they register, so the count is not a ranking of size. If not the recipient asks for a branch, the head office code ATDBPHM1XXX works for a payment to Asiatrust Bank.

Banks in Philippines starting with :letter

The letter filter limits the list down to banks in Philippines starting with :letter to make searching quicker. The counts in the introduction always refer to the whole country.

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

Check the code before you pay

The most reliable source for the BIC is the recipient’s own bank details. If the code you have does not match our list, stop and ask: check with the recipient or the bank.

This list is compiled from public sources and is updated regularly. Institutions merge, close branches and change codes – a directory can be a step behind. Before a payment that matters, confirm the code with the recipient. We are a comparison service for money transfers, not a bank.

Be wary of payment requests containing a new account – a common fraud method. Always confirm changed details through a separate channel, using a number you already had.

Bank or transfer service for Philippines?

What you pay for a payment to Philippines is made up of several parts. Besides a fixed fee, correspondent banks may take a cut, and when the money is converted the bank usually applies a rate below the real market rate.

The real cost is often in the rate: banks convert at a rate with a margin built in. A simple test: set the rate you get next to the mid-market rate and look at the difference.

For a lot of routes, a specialist provider turns out to be cheaper than a traditional bank transfer. Before you send money to Philippines, take a minute comparing what arrives on GoldexPay instead of going straight to your bank.

International payments to Philippines and the BIC

Philippines is outside the SEPA area, the European zone for uniform euro payments. International transfers to Philippines usually go through the SWIFT network, and the BIC of the receiving bank is required.

Depending on the country, 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 has instructions for incoming international payments, and it is worth following them to the letter. Before it arrives, a transfer can go through intermediary banks that take a fee.