Differences Between Swift Code and Routing Numbers

To transfer the money, you need to know the SWIFT codes and Routing number, though their purpose is almost same, but their way of working is somewhat different. Both the codes work as bank identification, still they differ with each other in the sense of its use. Here the differences are given.

SWIFT:

SWIFT code is used for the transaction among the banks worldwide, but one bank needs to register under SWIFT to take the facility of SWIFT services. All registrations are handled by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Telecommunication (SWIFT). This code is held as the Bank Identifier Code (BIC) that gives details of the institute, to which the wire transaction is made. To communicate internationally, be it for the money or any message, this code helps the banks, though it can be used in both financial and non-financial institution. The SWIFT code can be 8 or 11 characters as per its use.

Routing Number:

The routing number is used for the bank identification that comes under the Federal Reserve Bank and it is very common in net banking, electronic fund transfer and check verification. SWFIT code has an international purpose, whereas the routing number is needed for the domestic use. It is a 9 digit code that is easily accessible. You can find the routing number on the bottom of your bank check. In case of the check verification, this routing number helps a bank authority to know the bank name of the check submitted to them.

Wire transfer differences:

For the domestic ware transfer, the routing number of the respected bank is needed along with the bank account number. SWIFT is only made for the international ware transfer and it is not used for the purpose of domestic wares.

So SWIFT works to communicate from the international ground and as the identifier of the international banks, whereas routing number works in the national level and gives an identifier code of the national banks of the states.