SWIFT/BIC codes in Vanuatu

SWIFT/BIC codes in Vanuatu

On this page you find the SWIFT/BIC codes of 18 institutions in Vanuatu. Each code identifies an institution or one of its branches, so a payment from abroad reaches the right place.

Every bank has its own page with its main code and, where available, codes for branches and departments. The sections below explain the structure of the codes, what transfers cost and how to avoid mistakes.

Most SWIFT codes in Vanuatu: Alpen Baruch Bank Limited

Alpen Baruch Bank Limited leads the list of Vanuatu banks in the number of SWIFT/BIC codes. The head office of Alpen Baruch Bank Limited has ALBUVUVVXXX; that is usually the right code for a transfer.

A large number of codes often means that the bank registers branches and departments separately, not necessarily that the bank is the biggest in the country. If not the recipient asks for a branch, ALBUVUVVXXX is fine for a payment to Alpen Baruch Bank Limited.

When does money sent to Vanuatu arrive?

How quickly a payment reaches Vanuatu depends on a few things: the currency, how many intermediary banks are involved, daily processing deadlines and differences in time zone. Bank holidays in either country add extra days, because banks do not process payments on those days.

If the money is late, the sender should contact the sending bank for a trace; only the sending side can start an official trace. Money transfer services usually provide tracking in their app so you can follow the payment.

What a transfer to Vanuatu really costs

A bank transfer to Vanuatu can cost rather more than you think. On top of the fee, correspondent banks may take a cut and, if currencies are converted, the bank often applies a less favourable rate than the real market rate.

The real cost is often in the rate, not in the fee. Check the rate you are offered against the mid-market rate that you find on financial sites. The difference is your real cost.

For a lot of currency pairs, a transfer service turns out to be cheaper than a bank. On GoldexPay you can compare the amount that arrives in Vanuatu with different providers, so you can pick the cheapest route.

Getting paid from abroad into an account in Vanuatu

To receive a transfer from abroad in Vanuatu, the person paying you needs more than the BIC. In practice that means: your name exactly as it appears on the account, your account number or IBAN, the BIC of your bank and sometimes your postal address.

Your bank’s code is in the list on this page but always compare it with your own bank details. You can include your bank’s name and city as well.

Expect that the amount credited is smaller than what the sender paid. Charges on incoming payments differ from bank to bank – your bank’s price list tells you what applies. Make clear with the sender who covers the fees before the money is sent.

What the letters in a Vanuatu BIC mean

Each SWIFT/BIC code has eight or eleven characters, always in the same order. Characters one to four stand for the bank, the fifth and sixth characters are the country code and the next two give the location.

For banks in Vanuatu, letters five and six show the ISO country code of Vanuatu, which makes these codes easy to recognise. Codes with a different country code come from another country, even if the bank name looks familiar.

An 11-character code adds three characters for a branch – XXX stands for the head office. In most cases the head office code is fine.

SWIFT transfers to Vanuatu

For Vanuatu you almost always need a SWIFT/BIC code. Without the BIC, your bank will not process the transfer.

Not all countries use the IBAN – where there is none, the local account number is enough. Ask the recipient which details their bank needs for payments from abroad. Before it arrives, a transfer can go through intermediary banks that take a fee.

How reliable is this list?

The most reliable place for the right code is paperwork issued by the bank. An incorrect BIC can cause a delay, a payment being sent back or extra fees – compare it with the code in our list.

We collect bank codes from publicly available data and update them regularly. Even so, banks merge or change codes, so information can be out of date. Use our data as a starting point rather than the last word; the recipient’s bank details are leading. We are an independent comparison site for money transfers.

Be wary of payment requests with a new account. A valid BIC says nothing about who owns the account.