Universal Bank Branch Codes are special numbers used by banks in South Africa. These numbers help the bank know which bank your money must go to when sending money locally.
While a SWIFT Code is used when money is sent from another country.
It helps international banks find the correct bank in South Africa.
You do not need a SWIFT Code for payments inside South Africa.
My name is deguru, I am a forex trader, and own a few small business so I use branch codes and SWIFT Code almost all the time when receiving and sending money internationally.
All Universal Bank Branch Codes & SWIFT Code
Below is a clear and updated table of universal branch codes and SWIFT Codes used by South African Banks.
| Bank Name | Universal Branch Code | SWIFT Code |
|---|---|---|
 Absa Bank | 632 005 | ABSAZAJJ |
 African Bank | 430 000 | AFRCZAJJ |
 Bank Zero | 888 000 | ZERMZAJJ |
 Bidvest Bank | 462 005 | BBVZZZAJ |
 Capitec Bank | 470 010 | CABLZAJJ |
 Discovery Bank | 679 000 | DISCZAJJ |
 FNB (First National Bank) | 250 655 | FIRNZAJJ |
 Investec Bank | 580 105 | IVSAZAJJ |
 Nedbank | 198 765 | NEDSZAJJ |
 Old Mutual Bank | 462 005 | OMSAZAJJ |
 RMB (Rand Merchant Bank) | 261 251 | FIRNZAJJ |
 Standard Bank | 051 001 | SBZAZAJJ |
 TymeBank | 678 910 | CBZAZAJJ |
What Is a Bank Routing Number?
A Bank Routing Number is mostly used in the United States (USA).
It tells the bank:
-
Which bank to send money to
-
Which payment system to use
Routing numbers are not used in South Africa. The routing number Equivalent is a Universal Bank Branch Code in South Africa.
Some countries use clearing codes for local payments. These codes help banks process payments inside the country.
Here is an easy table to understand:
| Country | Code Used | South Africa Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
 United States | Routing Number | Universal Bank Branch Code |
 United Kingdom | Sort Code | Universal Bank Branch Code |
 Europe | IBAN | Account Number + Branch Code |
| Worldwide | BIC / SWIFT Code | SWIFT Code |
IBAN: South African banks do not use IBAN numbers. If an international sender asks for one, you should provide your standard account number and the SWIFT code instead.
Where can I see my bank branch code
Look at your bank statement, you will see it.
