Vlbank SWIFT/BIC code

SWIFT/BIC code of Vlbank

The 8-character code VLBARU61 and the full code VLBARU61XXX identify the same bank: Vlbank. A SWIFT code shows every bank in the chain exactly which bank is meant to get the money, a bit like a postal address for banks. In daily life you mostly see the code on invoices from abroad, in your banking app and in the bank details that Vlbank provides.

We wrote this page to help people who pays into an account at Vlbank and wants to get the details right. Remember that the BIC just identifies the bank, not the person: the IBAN or account number does that part.

Head office or branch code at Vlbank?

Having 2 codes in 2 cities, Vlbank is one of the banks that use separate codes for branches. The head office code is VLBARU61XXX.

For most payments to a private or business account, the head office code VLBARU61XXX works fine. A branch code only makes sense when the recipient’s bank explicitly asks for it.

Not sure which code applies? Check with the recipient or the bank itself. Codes can change when banks reorganise, so do not rely on old paperwork.

Verifying the SWIFT code of Vlbank

Ask the recipient to copy their bank details directly from a recent statement. If the code you have does not match VLBARU61 or VLBARU61XXX, stop and ask – contact the recipient or Vlbank.

A wrong SWIFT code may lead to delays, a returned payment or extra fees along the way. A mistake in the IBAN or account number can be a bigger problem, because the money may be credited to someone else, so check that just as carefully.

A validity check by your bank merely confirms that the code is valid – not that it belongs to the person you mean to pay. More and more banks check the payee name against the account. For a first payment, many people start with a small amount first.

Protect yourself against fake payment requests

Be wary when someone unexpectedly wants you to send money to a different account. The fact that VLBARU61 exists is no guarantee that the account is legitimate.

Do not trust contact details in the same message that announces the new account. Watch out for time pressure, unusual wording or an email address that differs by one letter. Already paid? Contact the bank you paid from without delay and have them start a recall.

Recipients are targeted too: one known trick is a buyer who pays too much and then sends a request to send back the difference to another account. A screenshot of a transfer is no proof; only your own account shows what has arrived.

What a transfer from Vlbank abroad really costs

An international bank payment can cost more than the listed fee. Besides the transfer fee, banks in between may deduct a fee, and when the money changes currency the bank usually applies a rate that is less favourable than the real market rate.

Banks rarely list the margin on the rate as a cost – you only notice it if you compare. Check their rate against the mid-market rate.

For many routes, a specialist provider turns out to be cheaper than a bank – mostly thanks to the rate. GoldexPay compares the amount that arrives across services, which makes the cheapest option easy to spot. You can always keep your account at Vlbank as the source of the money, while a cheaper service handles the conversion.

Receiving money from abroad at Vlbank

To receive an international payment into your account at Vlbank, the sender has to have more than the SWIFT code. The basics are: the account holder’s name, account number or IBAN, VLBARU61XXX or VLBARU61 and, for some countries, your home address.

Their bank might request the address of your bank. Check every detail before you send them – a sender rarely spots a mistake in someone else’s details.

Expect that the incoming amount is smaller than what the sender paid. Correspondent banks can take a fee, Vlbank may charge for incoming payments, and when currencies differ, a markup on the rate comes on top. Make clear with the sender who covers the fees, especially for larger amounts.

Where our SWIFT data comes from

The codes on this page are taken from public sources that we update regularly. It is possible that a code on this page is no longer current. The number of codes we show are based on what is in our directory.

Treat the information on this page as a handy check, and let the details from the recipient or Vlbank have the final say. We are an independent comparison service and not part of Vlbank. Should you notice something that is out of date, we welcome a short note.

How long does an international transfer to Vlbank take?

There is no single delivery time for every transfer: some arrive within a day while others need several business days. Weekends and public holidays in the sending or receiving country can add a day or more, since banks do not process on those days. Compliance checks by one of the banks can also add a delay, even when all details are correct.

A growing number of banks are connected to SWIFT gpi for faster and traceable payments. Each gpi transfer gets a unique transaction reference, the UETR that banks can use to trace it. Specialist transfer services often show tracking online so you can see how far the money has got.

The bank that sent the money is able to request a trace or a recall; the receiving side usually has nothing to trace yet. On the receiving end, you can look at your statements to see a partial amount because fees can reduce the amount.

VLBARU61 or VLBARU61XXX – which one to use?

Each SWIFT/BIC code has an 8-character core: a four-letter bank code, a two-letter country code and two characters for the location. That gives you VLBARU61.

Most banks and apps work with both lengths. If a form requires eleven characters, enter VLBARU61XXX.

As a rule the code is written in capitals, without spaces or dashes. Watch for the letter O and the digit 0 and I versus 1.