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Argentina SWIFT/BIC code validator
How the SWIFT/BIC code format works
- Format
- 8 or 11-character bank identifier code, country code AR in positions 5-6
- Example
- NACNARBA
Things to watch for
- Structure: 4-letter bank code + AR (country) + 2-character location code, plus an optional 3-character branch code
- An 8-character code (or one ending XXX) refers to the bank's head office, almost always registered in Buenos Aires
- No checksum digit — this is a format check only; it confirms positions 5-6 read AR, not that the bank or branch actually exists
^[A-Z]{4}AR[A-Z0-9]{2}([A-Z0-9]{3})?$An Argentine SWIFT/BIC code identifies the bank on an international wire transfer into or out of Argentina, distinct from the 22-digit CBU used for domestic account-to-account transfers within the country. Every Argentine BIC has AR fixed at positions 5-6, right after the 4-letter bank code, and the country’s largest banks — from its biggest state-owned lender to its major private banks — all register their SWIFT head office in Buenos Aires.
Major Argentine bank BIC prefixes
| Bank | BIC | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Banco de la Nación Argentina | NACNARBA | Buenos Aires |
| Banco Galicia | GABAARBA | Buenos Aires |
| Santander Argentina | BSCHARBA | Buenos Aires |
How this validator works
This tool checks that the code is 8 or 11 characters, the first 4 characters are letters, positions 5-6 read AR, and the location and optional branch segments use only letters and digits — entirely client-side, with nothing sent to a server.
What a pass doesn’t tell you
A pass confirms the code fits the Argentine BIC pattern, not that NACN, GABA, or BSCH still names an operating bank, or that the branch suffix is current. A BIC has no checksum digit, so a fabricated code that matches the shape still passes.
Scope: format validation only, and only for the SWIFT/BIC used on cross-border transfers — it does not validate a domestic CBU used for transfers within Argentina.
SWIFT/BIC code FAQ
What's the SWIFT code format for an Argentine bank?
An Argentine BIC is 8 or 11 characters: a 4-letter bank code, AR fixed at positions 5-6, a 2-character location code, and an optional 3-character branch code — for example NACNARBA for Banco de la Nación Argentina's Buenos Aires head office.
How do I read an Argentine BIC?
In GABAARBA, GABA identifies Banco Galicia, AR is the country, and BA is the location code for Buenos Aires, where nearly every major Argentine bank keeps its head office.
Is a SWIFT/BIC code the same as an Argentine CBU?
No. A CBU (Clave Bancaria Uniforme) is a 22-digit code identifying a specific account for domestic transfers within Argentina; the SWIFT/BIC identifies the bank for international wires. They serve different purposes and aren't interchangeable.