Banking in the world has been controlled by various systems which will facilitate the transfer of funds from one account to another.
Even countries when engaged in trading use
various banking systems to transfer funds.
The Bank IFSC Code and SWIFT Code are such
financial system that uses various codes to facilitate fund transfers.
In this article, we will discuss, what is
the difference between Bank IFSC Code and Bank SWIFT Code, Structure, features,
examples for using the code, etc.
IFSC Code
IFSC Code stands for the Indian Financial
System Code which is a code used to transfer funds within India. This system
was introduced by the RBI to facilitate fund transfer in India.
The mechanism of the IFSC Code is
standardized such that it is easy and effective for the user to transfer funds.
The IFSC Code will be issued to different
branches of the bank functioning in India. For example- the State
Bank of India Rohini branch IFSC Code has an IFSC Code of SBIN0021223 which
is unique to the branch and can only be used by individuals having an account
with the same branch.
IFSC Code Structure
IFSC Code is an 11-digit alphanumeric code and
has the first four-digit as a bank code like in the above example SBIN is for
State Bank of India.
The next number i.e. 5th number
is 0 which is for future expansion of the branch followed by the next 6 digits which
are for the branch code. This structure is standard for every bank functioning
in India.
Features of IFSC Code
IFSC Code has multiple features which makes
it special and useful for the Banks to facilitate fund transfer. The following
are the features that might be useful-
·
It helps in reducing the mismanagement
of the fund transfers
·
It helps you in identifying the
bank branch easily
·
Every bank branch in India has
a unique bank branch code that will help you in transferring funds.
SWIFT Code
Swift stands for Society for Worldwide
Interbank Financial Telecommunication.SWIFT Code is a code used for
international fund transfers, Every country has an access to the SWIFT Code
except Russia.
Using the SWIFT Code merchant in one
country can pay for the goods he/she bought in the other country. SWIFT is the
backbone of international trade and every country is required to do trade using
the SWIFT Code.
SWIFT Code Structure
SWIFT code is an 8 to 11-digit code used to
transfer funds internationally. The first 4 digits in SWIFT are the bank code
followed by 2 digit placeholder code usually 0 and the last 3 digits will be
the location code.
If the code is 11 digits, then everything
mentioned above will be the same however, the last digits will be of the branch
code.
Features of SWIFT Code
The following are the features of the SWIFT
Code-
·
It is used internationally and
is capable of sending funds from one country to another
·
It is a global standard for the
world trade
·
It is widely accepted by
countries around the world