Business banking directory
Canada SWIFT Codes and Institution Numbers
Find SWIFT/BIC codes and three-digit Canadian institution numbers for selected major banks.
Use a SWIFT or BIC for an international business payment to Canada. Use the institution number only when the receiving instructions or payment form specifically request it.
The table covers six major Canadian banks whose official receiving-wire pages publish both values. The three-digit institution number identifies the bank; the five-digit transit identifies the beneficiary branch and must come from the account instructions.
Canada SWIFT codes and institution numbers
A Canadian institution number is a three-digit bank identifier. Canadian routing instructions normally combine it with a five-digit branch transit; the SWIFT/BIC is used for international messaging.
Bank of Montreal (BMO)
BOFMCAM2
001
Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank)
NOSCCATT
002
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
ROYCCAT2
003
Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD)
TDOMCATTTOR
004
National Bank of Canada
BNDCCAMMINT
006
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
CIBCCATT
010
The institution number is stable at bank level, but the complete Canadian clearing code also needs the beneficiary’s five-digit transit. Do not invent or reuse a transit from another branch.
Are SWIFT codes different for business accounts?
Business and personal accounts usually share the institution-level SWIFT/BIC. The correct receiving instructions can still differ by legal entity, branch, account currency, product or correspondent route.
For a business payment, obtain bank-issued instructions showing the registered business name, account number or IBAN, account currency, legal bank name and the requested routing identifiers. Confirm changed or first-time details through a known contact at the recipient business.
How to choose the correct institution number
- Identify the payment route. International wires commonly use a SWIFT/BIC. Domestic payment rails may request the local code.
- Match the exact institution and branch. Do not substitute a code from another branch, product or legal entity.
- Check the account currency. Correspondent instructions can differ by settlement currency.
- Confirm before release. Compare the value with current instructions issued for the beneficiary account.
Using Canada bank details in a business payment workflow
Store the beneficiary name, account number or IBAN, currency, bank entity and verified routing details together. Require a second-channel check when bank details change before approving a payment.
Connect international payments to your business workflow
Quotable Payments helps businesses manage payment details alongside suppliers, invoices and approvals.
Explore Quotable Payments
Frequently asked questions
Is a Canadian institution number the same as a SWIFT code?
No. A Canadian institution number identifies the bank within domestic clearing. A SWIFT/BIC identifies a financial institution or service for international bank messaging.
Do business accounts use different SWIFT codes in Canada?
Usually the bank-level BIC is shared across customer types. Receiving instructions can still differ by legal entity, branch, currency, product or correspondent route.
How should these Canadian bank details be verified?
Compare them with written receiving instructions issued for the beneficiary account. Confirm the legal bank entity, branch or service, account currency and payment route before releasing funds.
What is the Canadian clearing-code format?
International instructions commonly use //CC0 followed by the three-digit institution number and the five-digit branch transit. Use the exact transit for the beneficiary account.
