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Philippines SWIFT/BIC code validator
How the SWIFT/BIC code format works
- Format
- 8 or 11-character bank identifier code, country code PH in positions 5-6
- Example
- BNORPHMM
Things to watch for
- Structure: 4-letter bank code + PH (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 Manila
- No checksum digit — this is a format check only; it confirms positions 5-6 read PH, not that the bank or branch actually exists
^[A-Z]{4}PH[A-Z0-9]{2}([A-Z0-9]{3})?$A Philippine SWIFT/BIC code identifies the bank on an international wire transfer into or out of the Philippines, distinct from the domestic transfer rails InstaPay and PESONet used for local electronic payments. Every Philippine BIC has PH fixed at positions 5-6, right after the 4-letter bank code, and the country’s largest banks all register their SWIFT head office in Metro Manila, using the location code MM.
Major Philippine bank BIC prefixes
| Bank | BIC | Location |
|---|---|---|
| BDO Unibank | BNORPHMM | Manila |
| Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) | BOPIPHMM | Manila |
| Metrobank | MBTCPHMM | Manila |
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 PH, 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 Philippine BIC pattern, not that BNOR, BOPI, or MBTC 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 says nothing about an InstaPay or PESONet routing detail used domestically.
SWIFT/BIC code FAQ
What's the SWIFT code format for a Philippine bank?
A Philippine BIC is 8 or 11 characters: a 4-letter bank code, PH fixed at positions 5-6, a 2-character location code, and an optional 3-character branch code — for example BNORPHMM for BDO Unibank's Manila head office.
How do I read a Philippine BIC?
In BOPIPHMM, BOPI identifies Bank of the Philippine Islands, PH is the country, and MM is the location code for Metro Manila, where the country's largest banks are headquartered.
Is a SWIFT/BIC code the same as InstaPay or PESONet?
No. InstaPay and PESONet are the Philippines' domestic electronic fund transfer systems, used with an account number and bank name; the SWIFT/BIC identifies the bank for international wires. They're separate systems and not interchangeable.