Hi
I want to wire money from Switzerland to my US account. I am in USA right now. My bank said they don't use IBAN but they did give me a "Swift Code" then a routing number and then of course my bank account number.

Will this work? I want to fax the bank in Switzerland and have this done.

Thanks
Alfons

Swift = BIC code

Cant u do it online?

Yes, the Swift number = BIC code, with the "routing" they probaly mean the clearing number of your bank.
In general you can find both informations on the webside of your bank.

Good luck. Transfers from CH to the US are tricky because many hick US banks don't see the point in using IBANs.

I mean, you know, it's an international bank account number - why would anyone want anything to do with something international...?

One of the real pains in our work at the moment.

Yes it works. I did it recently.

Thanks for all the replies. I will let you know if it went through.

Alfons

US banks don't use IBAN. They have a routing number instead. All the banks (worldwide) know what to do.

I do it all the time between my account in Switzerland and the one in the US. I do an international payment without iban, and enter the name on the account, name and address of the bank, routing number and account number. Transfering funds to the US takes me between 3 and 5 business days.

You should be able to do it yourself if you do online banking, but if you have all of that info, your bank should know what to do.


the swift or bic code that they use in the US is usually 3 digits shorter than the one they use in Switzerland, so I usually add 3 x's at the end of the bic. (That's what my bank says to do).


Oh yeah, and it's not just the hick banks. None of the banks in the US use IBAN.

I used to think so, but I have accounts with Banque Populaire in France and they have changed there BIC. Now neither USB, my UK bank or HiFX recognise the BIC so I can't transfer money in, and it's getting dangerously low on funds.... and of course the bloody French blame everyone else

Good tip, this may save me some $ next transaction.
I have to pay a fee sometimes when making overseas transactions on-line, for not supplying the IBAN number, when I have in actual fact, entered it in full, this may be the reason.
Thanks.

I have to pay a fee whenever I do a transfer. But my online banking (CS) is really straightforward and it actually told me to add the 3X's for the BIC, and it has international payment options - one with and one without iban. If you do it online yourself, it might be worth checking your options.

IBAN Question USA

Your bank is right, Let me explain the international clearing system a bit more for you. SWIFT BIC = the most common International clearing code (apply to all the banks around world), IBAN International Bank Account Number = only apply to EU banks or foreign banks located in EU countries in another word only EU bank account got a IBAN number (therefore, US bank account do not have IBAN number). In USA there are few other clearing system completely different with EU, the routing code your bank provided is called ABA number (ABA = American Bankers Association Number). As you want to transfer money from Switzerland to USA, SWIFT BIC, ABA and your account number were sufficient info. for your Swiss bank to wire the money it will work no worries!

Thanks Chopinsong - nice explanation.

Alfons

I have been trying to do this since March 11th. My bank in Switzerland cannot do it - WTF? I read the replies

I have a Swift Code (8 digits)

An ABA routing number

My bank account number


Graubunden Katonalbank in Chur cannot do it saying the numbers are incorrect. I called my bank a few times (different branches) and they all give me the same numbers.

I asked my bank about the 3 XXX's and they said then it wouldn't work - I give up - I need this money

Alfons

Depending on your bank you may be able to finesse the issue as I did, in the reverse. We bank with HSBC in London. They gave me an ABA code and a SWIFT code to use for their New York clearing office; this code has to be accompanied by the codes for our London account (SWIFT code, sort code, account number, name of recipient). The transfer then becomes a domestic US transfer, cheaper for me. They charge little or nothing for the transatlantic move from their New York clearing office to my London branch.

Occasionally transfers are refused (typically with no refund of fees) because of an anomaly in the codes. The way around that is to present a fax from the destination bank, on their letterhead, giving the proper information. It's then impossible for the foreign bank to say it's wrong.

Another solution I've used in the past is to get hold of the country desk officer (in this case the person responsible for US business) at the bank's main office and explain the problem. He or she will normally sort it out very fast. This happened to me years ago when a branch manager of Citibank refused to open a letter of credit in favour of a Korean supplier.