SWIFT/BIC codes in Switzerland: banks starting with O

Finding a SWIFT code in Switzerland

This directory lists 697 banks and other institutions in Switzerland and 1904 SWIFT/BIC codes between them. Every code identifies a bank or a specific branch or department and tells other banks where an international payment should go.

Search for the recipient’s bank in the list and click through for all codes we have and the details a transfer needs. Further down you can read how a code from Switzerland is put together, how to send money to Switzerland at a fair price and how to check a code before you pay.

Sending CHF to Switzerland

The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF). If you send another currency, the amount gets converted somewhere along the way: by your bank, an intermediary or the receiving bank.

Which bank converts the payment makes a difference. Often you pay less to send CHF straight away via a transfer service that converts near the mid-market rate rather than letting the receiving bank convert. Rates for CHF move all the time.

Getting paid from abroad into an account in Switzerland

Someone abroad who wants to pay you needs a few details about your account – incomplete details often cause delays. Give them your name as registered with the bank, the IBAN or account number, the BIC of your bank and your address, which some banks require.

Look up the bank in the list above to check its code. You can include the name and city of your bank as well, since some payment forms ask for it.

What lands in your account can be lower than the amount sent. Charges on incoming payments differ per bank – your bank’s price list tells you what applies. On invoices, agree how the fees are split to avoid a shortfall.

When does money sent to Switzerland arrive?

There is no fixed delivery time for transfers to Switzerland: some land the same day or the next. Public holidays in either country can add a day or more.

Many banks are connected to SWIFT gpi for faster and traceable payments. Every gpi transfer gets a unique transaction reference, the UETR. Money transfer services usually provide a status in their app so you can follow the payment.

What the letters in a Switzerland BIC mean

A SWIFT code is 8 or 11 characters long. Characters one to four identify the bank, the fifth and sixth characters form the country code and the next two give the location.

You can recognise a code from Switzerland from letters five and six. A code with a different country code belong to another country – a quick way to catch mistakes.

An 11-character code ends in a branch code – XXX stands for the head office. Use a branch code just when the recipient’s bank asks for it.

What a transfer to Switzerland really costs

A bank transfer to Switzerland often costs more than you think. You pay the transfer fee, possibly fees from correspondent banks along the way and, most importantly, the exchange rate markup if the money is converted.

The markup on the rate tends to be the largest cost item, even though it is not listed as a fee. Compare the rate you are offered against the mid-market rate that you find on financial sites; the gap is what conversion costs you.

For many routes, a transfer service is less expensive than a traditional bank transfer, mainly because of the rate. GoldexPay compares what recipients in Switzerland receive with different providers, so you can pick the cheapest route.

Raiffeisen Schweiz Genossenschaft and its SWIFT codes

Of the 697 banks we list for Switzerland, Raiffeisen Schweiz Genossenschaft has the most codes. The head office of Raiffeisen Schweiz Genossenschaft uses RAIFCH22XXX and that code covers most payments.

Banks differ in how many codes they register – a high count is not a measure of size. Making a payment to Raiffeisen Schweiz Genossenschaft? Go with RAIFCH22XXX unless the recipient gives you a branch code.

About our data and how to check a code

The safest source for a SWIFT code is the recipient’s own bank details. An incorrect BIC may lead to a delay, a returned payment or additional charges, so compare it with the list on this page.

This list is based on public sources and is updated regularly. Even so, banks merge or change codes and our data may lag behind. For a payment of any size, check the BIC with the recipient’s bank. GoldexPay is a comparison service and not part of any bank listed here.

Fraudsters often use fake invoices with new bank details that look completely genuine. Always confirm a change of bank details through a separate channel, using a number you already had.

Banks in Switzerland starting with :letter

This list shows only the banks in Switzerland whose name starts with :letter, sorted alphabetically. The totals mentioned here cover all 697 banks.

Some banks are listed under their legal name. Try the full list for Switzerland if you are not sure how the name is spelled.

Paying in euros to Switzerland

Within the SEPA zone, euro transfers to Switzerland use the same rules. The BIC field is often optional in that case.

You still need the BIC for non-euro payments or transfers from countries outside SEPA. Instant euro transfers have become increasingly supported within SEPA. Fees are generally low as long as no currency is converted – conversion is what costs money.