Banco Central del Uruguay SWIFT/BIC code

Banco Central del Uruguay SWIFT code: CBCUUYMD

The short code CBCUUYMD and the full code CBCUUYMDXXX refer to the same bank: Banco Central del Uruguay, with its head office in Montevideo. A SWIFT code shows the sending bank exactly which bank should receive the money, much like a postcode for banks. In practice you mostly come across it on international invoices, in your banking app and on the account details of Banco Central del Uruguay customers.

On this page you can read how the code means, when you need it and what else a transfer to or from Banco Central del Uruguay requires. A SWIFT code names a bank or branch, not a single account, which is why you always need the account number too.

Is CBCUUYMD still correct? How to check

The most reliable place for the right code is a document from the bank itself. When the code you were given does not match CBCUUYMD or CBCUUYMDXXX, do not guess – contact the recipient or Banco Central del Uruguay.

With a wrong code, the transfer might be delayed, bounce back or end up costing more. Remember the IBAN: a mistake there is harder to correct than a wrong code.

An automatic check in your banking app only confirms that the IBAN exists. More and more banks compare the payee name with the account before you confirm. A small test payment can be a sensible step for large sums, even if it costs an extra fee.

Head office or branch code at Banco Central del Uruguay?

Banco Central del Uruguay has 5 different SWIFT/BIC codes. Only one is the head office code, CBCUUYMDXXX; the others belong to branches, and sometimes specific services.

Usually there is no need to look up a branch: payments sent to CBCUUYMDXXX are routed within Banco Central del Uruguay correctly. Branch codes are only needed if the account holder explicitly mentions it.

The safest approach is to copy the code directly from the account holder’s bank details. Codes can change over time, so do not rely on old paperwork.

Protect yourself against fake payment requests

One of the most common tricks works like this: you receive a request claiming that a contact has new bank details and asking you to pay there from now on. A valid SWIFT code says nothing about whether the request is genuine.

Always verify changed bank details through a phone call, using a number you already had. Pressure or secrecy tend to be red flags – a real supplier can wait a day. If money was sent to the wrong account, contact your bank immediately: the sooner they act, the better the chance of a recall.

Recipients can be targeted as well: a classic trick is an overpayment followed by 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.

How up to date is this code?

Our SWIFT/BIC directory is based on publicly available sources. Institutions reorganise, close branches and retire codes – a directory can be a step behind. The number of codes we show reflect what is in our directory and not on information from Banco Central del Uruguay itself.

Treat the information on this page as a helpful check and rely on the recipient or Banco Central del Uruguay for the final confirmation. GoldexPay has no connection to Banco Central del Uruguay, we only compare transfer services. Found an error? Tell us through the contact page.

Sending money abroad from Banco Central del Uruguay

A bank transfer abroad can cost rather more than the listed fee. On top of a fixed fee, banks in between may take a cut, and when the money changes currency the bank often applies a rate below the actual market rate.

The markup on the rate is often the largest item even though it is not listed as a fee. An easy check: put the rate you get next to the mid-market rate for the same moment and work out the difference on your amount.

For many currency pairs, a specialist provider is cheaper than a traditional bank transfer, mainly because of the exchange rate. GoldexPay lists transfer providers next to each other so you can see what actually arrives before you commit. Choosing a specialist does not require closing your account at Banco Central del Uruguay: you simply pay the service from your account.

What the XXX in CBCUUYMDXXX means

The layout of a BIC never changes: a bank code of four letters, a two-letter country code and two for the location. In this case, the 8-character core is CBCUUYMD.

Many payment forms accept both lengths. If yours asks for eleven characters, enter CBCUUYMDXXX.

Leave out spaces or dashes when you enter CBCUUYMD or CBCUUYMDXXX. A single character can send the money to another bank, so copy it carefully.

Tracking a transfer to or from Banco Central del Uruguay

There is no single answer: some land within a day. Payments made late in the day or on weekends and holidays usually go out the next business day. Compliance checks by one of the banks can also add some delay, even when all details are correct.

If the money seems delayed, contact the sending bank about the status so they can trace it along the chain. Specialist transfer services often provide a status in their app so you can see how far the payment has got.

Only the sending bank is able to start an official trace or a recall. Request from the sender a copy of the payment confirmation – it helps your own bank look for the money.

What to give a sender who pays you at Banco Central del Uruguay

Someone abroad who wants to pay you needs several details from you, and missing ones are a common cause of delays. What they need is: the account holder’s name, account number or IBAN, CBCUUYMDXXX or CBCUUYMD and often your home address.

Some sending banks also ask for the address of Banco Central del Uruguay, so keep it at hand. Double-check each detail before you share them, because the sender’s bank usually copies them as is.

Do not be surprised if the incoming amount is below the amount on the sender’s receipt. Fees for incoming transfers differ per bank. Agree with the sender who covers the fees before the money is sent.