How to Get Your Family's Bank Details Right for International Money Transfers (SWIFT Code Guide)

Why Getting Bank Details Right Matters More Than You Think

You have worked hard, saved up, and you are finally ready to send money home to support your family — maybe for monthly living expenses, a medical bill, or school fees. You open your banking app or transfer service, and then you hit a wall: which number is the SWIFT code? Is that the account number or the IBAN? Does the branch code matter?

This confusion is one of the most common reasons international money transfers fail, get delayed, or — in the worst cases — end up sent to the wrong account entirely. According to data regularly cited by payment industry bodies, incorrect or incomplete beneficiary information is one of the leading causes of failed or delayed cross-border payments, sometimes accounting for a significant share of all transaction errors reported by banks and money transfer operators. A single wrong digit in an account number or an outdated branch code can mean your family does not receive the money for days, or in rare cases, that the funds are sent to a stranger's account and become extremely difficult to recover.

This guide will walk you through exactly what each piece of banking information means, how to correctly collect it from your family member, how to enter it without mistakes, and how using a specialist service like Wise can dramatically simplify the entire process — sometimes removing the need for a SWIFT code altogether.

Understanding the Building Blocks of International Bank Details

Before you send a single dollar, it helps to understand exactly what each identifier does.

What Is a SWIFT/BIC Code?

A SWIFT code (also called a BIC — Bank Identifier Code) is an 8 or 11-character code that identifies a specific bank, and often a specific branch, anywhere in the world. It is used by the SWIFT network to route international wire transfers between banks. The structure typically looks like this:

Characters 1–4: Bank code (e.g., BOFA for Bank of America)
Characters 5–6: Country code (e.g., US for United States)
Characters 7–8: Location code
Characters 9–11 (optional): Branch code

What Is an IBAN?

An International Bank Account Number (IBAN) is used primarily in Europe, the Middle East, and parts of the Caribbean and Africa. It combines the country code, a check number, the bank code, and the account number into a single standardized string, often 15 to 34 characters long. If your family lives in a country that uses IBAN, this single number often replaces the need for a separate account number and bank code.

What Is a Routing Number, Sort Code, or Local Bank Code?

Many countries use their own local identifiers instead of, or alongside, SWIFT codes:

The United States uses a 9-digit ABA routing number for domestic transfers, though international incoming transfers still require a SWIFT code.
The United Kingdom uses a 6-digit sort code alongside an 8-digit account number.
India uses an 11-character IFSC code to identify the specific bank branch.
Australia uses a 6-digit BSB (Bank State Branch) code.
The Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and many other countries typically use the SWIFT code plus a local account number.

Knowing which system your family's country uses is the first step to avoiding a failed transfer.

Common Mistakes That Cause Failed or Delayed Transfers

Understanding the theory is one thing — avoiding real-world mistakes is another. Here are the errors that cause the majority of transfer problems.

Using an Outdated or Incorrect SWIFT Code

Banks occasionally merge, rebrand, or change their SWIFT codes after restructuring. A code your family gave you two years ago may no longer be valid.

Confusing the Account Holder's Name Format

Many transfers fail because the sender enters a nickname or a shortened version of the name instead of the full legal name exactly as it appears on the bank account. Even small differences, like a missing middle name or a swapped first/last name order, can cause a rejection.

Mixing Up Domestic and International Codes

Some countries have a different code for domestic transfers versus receiving international transfers. Using the wrong one is one of the most frequent errors reported by transfer services.

Copying Numbers Incorrectly

Manually retyping a long IBAN or account number from a text message or photo is a major source of single-digit errors. A single misplaced digit can send funds to a completely different account.

Not Confirming the Currency of the Receiving Account

If your family's account only accepts local currency but you initiate a transfer in a foreign currency (or vice versa), the transfer can be delayed while the receiving bank manually processes a currency conversion, sometimes with unfavorable exchange rates applied automatically.

Step-by-Step Action Plan: How to Collect and Enter Bank Details Correctly

Follow this practical process every time you set up a new recipient for an international transfer.

Step 1: Ask Your Family for an Official Bank Document, Not a Memory

Instead of asking your family member to recite their account number from memory, ask them to send a photo of one of the following:

A recent bank statement
A screenshot from their official banking app (not a messaging app)
A blank check or deposit slip
Their bank's official welcome letter or account opening documents

These documents almost always display the SWIFT/BIC code, account number, IBAN (if applicable), and the account holder's full legal name exactly as registered.

Step 2: Confirm the Full Legal Name Character-by-Character

Ask your family member to read out their name exactly as it appears on their government ID and bank account, including any middle names or suffixes. Enter it exactly — do not translate, abbreviate, or reorder the name.

Step 3: Double-Check the SWIFT Code Independently

Even if your family member provides a SWIFT code, it is worth cross-referencing it using your transfer provider's built-in SWIFT/BIC lookup tool, which many platforms — including Wise — provide for free before you finalize a transfer. This step alone prevents a large percentage of failed transfers.

Step 4: Enter Numbers Using Copy-Paste, Not Manual Typing

Whenever possible, copy and paste the account number, IBAN, or SWIFT code directly from a digital document rather than retyping it manually. If you must type it, read it back aloud digit-by-digit before confirming.

Step 5: Send a Small Test Transfer First

For a new recipient, especially for a large upcoming transfer, send a small test amount first (for example, $10–$20) and confirm with your family that it arrived correctly before sending the full amount.

Step 6: Save the Verified Details Securely for Future Transfers

Once a transfer has successfully arrived, save the recipient's details in your transfer provider's address book feature so you do not need to re-enter or re-verify them every time — most platforms, including Wise, let you save and label recipients for repeat transfers.

Why Wise Makes Entering Bank Details Dramatically Simpler

This is exactly the kind of problem that a specialist international transfer service was built to solve. Wise in particular has designed its transfer flow specifically around reducing the confusion and errors that come from manually gathering SWIFT codes, IBANs, and local bank formats.

How Wise Simplifies the Process

Localized recipient forms. Instead of showing you a single generic form asking for a "SWIFT code," Wise automatically detects the recipient's country and shows only the fields that are actually required for that specific banking system — for example, an IFSC code for India, a sort code for the UK, or a CLABE for Mexico.
Built-in SWIFT/BIC lookup. If you are unsure of a code, Wise's system can often auto-fill or validate it based on the bank name and branch, reducing the risk of entering an outdated code.
Real-time validation. Wise checks the format of the account number and routing details as you type, flagging likely errors before you submit the transfer, rather than after the money has already been sent.
Local payment rails, not always SWIFT. For many countries, Wise sends money using local bank transfer networks rather than the traditional SWIFT system entirely, which is often faster and does not require a SWIFT code from you at all.
Saved recipient profiles. Once you have verified a family member's details once, Wise stores them securely so future transfers take just a few taps.
Transparent fees and real exchange rates, so your family receives more of what you send, without hidden markups eating into the amount.

If you regularly send money home to family, setting up a Wise account today means the next transfer — and every one after it — will be faster and far less stressful.

Sign up for Wise now and set up your first recipient in minutes.

Setting Up a Recipient on Wise: A Practical Walkthrough

Create a free Wise account and verify your identity.
Select the country and currency your family member's bank account is in.
Wise will display only the specific fields required for that country (this may be an IBAN, a local account number and bank code, or a SWIFT code, depending on location).
Enter the account holder's full legal name exactly as it appears on their bank account.
Use the photo of their bank statement or app screenshot to copy each number carefully.
Review the summary screen, which shows the exact exchange rate, fee, and amount your family will receive.
Send a small test transfer if this is a new recipient, then confirm receipt before sending larger amounts.

Register with Wise today to try this process yourself before your next remittance.

Country-Specific Tips for Common Remittance Corridors

Sending to the Philippines

Most Philippine banks require both a SWIFT code and a local account number. Double-check whether your family's bank has separate SWIFT codes for peso accounts versus dollar accounts, as some banks maintain both.

Sending to India

India requires an 11-character IFSC code that identifies the exact branch, in addition to the account number. Because IFSC codes are branch-specific, even a small local branch change can require an updated code.

Sending to Vietnam or Indonesia

These countries generally require a SWIFT code plus the account number, and the account holder's name must match their government ID exactly, including any accents or diacritical marks in Vietnamese names.

Sending to Mexico

Mexican banks use an 18-digit CLABE number instead of a traditional account number and routing code combination. Sending funds without a valid CLABE will typically cause the transfer to be rejected.

Sending to Nigeria or Other African Countries

Many banks require both a SWIFT code and an NUBAN (Nigerian Uniform Bank Account Number) or equivalent local identifier. Confirm which digits belong to which field, as formats can look similar but serve different purposes.

What to Do If a Transfer Fails or Goes to the Wrong Account

Even with careful preparation, mistakes occasionally happen. Here is what to do immediately:

Contact your transfer provider immediately. Most transfers can still be recalled or corrected within the first 24 hours if you report the error quickly.
Do not send a second "correction" transfer without confirming the first one has been stopped or reversed, as this can result in double payments.
Ask your provider for a recall or investigation reference number so you can track the resolution process.
If using Wise, their support team can guide you through the recall process, and because Wise validates many fields before submission, this scenario is significantly less common than with traditional bank wires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I always need a SWIFT code to send money internationally?

Not always. Many providers, including Wise, use local payment networks for a large number of countries, which means a SWIFT code is often unnecessary. The required fields depend on the recipient's country and bank.

What happens if I enter the wrong SWIFT code?

If the code is invalid, most systems will reject the transfer or flag an error before you can submit it. However, if the code is a real but incorrect code (for a different branch or bank), the transfer may be delayed, returned, or in rare cases, sent to the wrong institution.

Can I find a SWIFT code without asking my family member?

Yes, most bank SWIFT/BIC codes are publicly searchable using the bank's name and country through most transfer providers' built-in lookup tools, including the one available when using Wise. However, it is still best practice to confirm the exact branch-specific code with your family member.

Is it safe to send my family's bank details over messaging apps?

It is generally safer to ask for a photo of an official bank document rather than having your family member type the numbers into a chat message, since this reduces the risk of transcription errors on their end and gives you a document you can double-check against.

How can I avoid re-entering these details every time I send money?

Save the recipient's verified details in your transfer provider's address book. On Wise, once a recipient is saved, you can send future transfers to them in just a few taps without re-entering any banking information.

Final Takeaway

Correctly entering your family's bank details does not have to be a source of stress every time you want to send money home. By understanding what each piece of information means, verifying details directly from an official bank document, and using a transfer provider that is designed to reduce human error — like Wise — you can send money home with confidence, knowing it will arrive quickly, safely, and in full.

Create your free Wise account now and take the guesswork out of your next remittance.