Bgc International SWIFT/BIC code

SWIFT/BIC code of Bgc International

Whether a recipient gives you CFILGB21 or CFILGB21XXX, it is the same address for Bgc International in United Kingdom. Every bank on the SWIFT network uses these codes to route payments between countries to the correct bank. It comes up mainly when dealing with payments that cross a border.

On this page you will find what the code means, when you need it and which other details a transfer to or from Bgc International requires. The BIC identifies a bank or branch, never a single account; the IBAN or account number does that.

What to give a sender who pays you at Bgc International

A sender in another country needs a few details about your account. Give them your name as the bank knows it, the IBAN or account number, SWIFT code CFILGB21XXX and your address, which some banks require.

Some sending banks also ask for the address of Bgc International, so keep it at hand. Check each detail before you share them, because the sender’s bank usually copies them as is.

The amount you receive is often less than what was sent. Intermediary banks may deduct a fee and your own bank may charge for processing, and when currencies differ, an exchange rate margin applies. Agree with the sender who pays which costs.

Head office or branch code at Bgc International?

We have 2 SWIFT/BIC codes for Bgc International. Besides the head office code CFILGB21XXX, there are codes for branches, departments or specific services.

For most payments to a private or business account, the head office code CFILGB21XXX is the right choice. If you have been given a branch code, use it as it is instead of swapping it for the head office code.

When in doubt, ask the person you are paying which code their bank gave them. Codes are sometimes changed or retired when banks reorganise, so a code from an old document is not always valid.

What the XXX in CFILGB21XXX means

The structure of every SWIFT code is always the same: a bank code of four letters, a two-letter country code and a two-character location code, sometimes followed by a branch code. Together, those parts make up CFILGB21 – the version you usually see online.

The 11-character version has three more characters that identify a branch or department. If the last three are XXX, the code points to the head office.

Enter the code as one block, in capitals and without spaces. A single character may route a payment to another bank, so check it twice.

Sending GBP to Bgc International

United Kingdom uses the British Pound, code GBP. If you send money in a different currency it gets converted at some point. Every conversion costs the amount – usually through the rate rather than a fee.

Which bank converts the money makes a difference. Sending the money directly in GBP usually avoids a second conversion at the receiving end – as long as your own rate is good.

Rates for GBP move during the day. If you pay regularly, a slightly better rate make a real difference over a year.

Before you send: check the Bgc International code

The safest source for a SWIFT code is the recipient’s own bank details – an invoice, a statement or a screenshot from online banking. If the code you have does not match CFILGB21 or CFILGB21XXX, do not guess: check with the recipient or with Bgc International directly.

An incorrect BIC can cause delays, a payment being sent back or additional charges. An error in the account number can be a bigger problem; check it just as carefully.

A validity check by your bank only tells you that the IBAN exists, not that it is the right account. If your bank offers it, a name check on the recipient gives extra certainty. A small test payment is a sensible step for large sums despite the extra fee.

How long does an international transfer to Bgc International take?

How fast a payment arrives at Bgc International depends on several factors: the currency, how many intermediary banks are involved, daily processing deadlines and differences in time zone. Transfers sent after the cut-off time or just before weekends and holidays often start the next business day. Compliance checks on larger or unusual payments may also cause a delay, even when all details are correct.

A growing number of banks use SWIFT gpi, which lets them follow a payment from bank to bank. Each gpi transfer gets a unique transaction reference, the UETR, which your bank can use to see where the money is. Specialist transfer services often provide a status online showing how far the payment is.

If the money does not arrive after a few business days, the person who paid needs to start with the bank that sent it, not the receiving bank. As a recipient, it helps to check your statements to see a partial amount, since fees may have been deducted.

Changed bank details? Be careful

Criminals often send fake invoices with new bank details. A valid SWIFT code says nothing about who owns the account: scammers use real codes of real banks.

Check changed payment details via a separate channel. Watch out for urgent requests, unusual wording or a sender address that is slightly off. When a payment was sent to the wrong account, call your bank right away.

Scams also target the receiver. Someone claims to have sent more than agreed and asks you to return the extra. A payment confirmation from the sender proves nothing.

SEPA payments and the Bgc International BIC

Within the SEPA zone, euro payments to an account in United Kingdom use common rules. The BIC field is usually optional or missing in that case.

A SWIFT code like CFILGB21 does matter when the currency is not euros and when the money comes from outside SEPA. Some forms also show a field for the BIC out of habit; if so, enter CFILGB21 or CFILGB21XXX.

Euro payments within SEPA usually arrive within one business day. Fees for SEPA transfers are generally low, as long as no currency conversion is involved.

Where our SWIFT data comes from

Our SWIFT/BIC directory is based on publicly available sources and we update it periodically. Institutions merge, close branches and change codes – a directory can be a step behind. The figures on this page reflect our own data, not official figures from Bgc International.

See our directory here as a handy check and rely on the recipient or Bgc International for the final confirmation. GoldexPay is a comparison site and not part of Bgc International. Found outdated information? Tell us via our contact form.

What a transfer from Bgc International abroad really costs

An international bank payment can cost more than the fee suggests. You pay the fee for the transfer itself, sometimes charges from correspondent banks in between and, most importantly, the exchange rate markup when the money is converted.

The real cost is often in the rate, not in the fee: many banks convert using an exchange rate that includes a margin. Compare the rate you are offered with the mid-market rate, the midpoint between buy and sell rates you see on financial sites. The difference is your real conversion cost.

For many routes, a transfer service is less expensive than a bank, mainly because of the exchange rate. Before your next transfer, it is worth to compare what arrives on GoldexPay. You can always use your account at Bgc International to fund the transfer, while a cheaper service handles the conversion.