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Turkey SWIFT/BIC code validator
How the SWIFT/BIC code format works
- Format
- 8 or 11-character bank identifier code, country code TR in positions 5-6
- Example
- TCZBTR2A
Things to watch for
- Structure: 4-letter bank code + TR (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, commonly in Ankara or Istanbul
- No checksum digit — this is a format check only; it confirms positions 5-6 read TR, not that the bank or branch actually exists
^[A-Z]{4}TR[A-Z0-9]{2}([A-Z0-9]{3})?$A Turkish SWIFT/BIC code identifies the bank on an international wire transfer, paired with the 26-character Turkish IBAN that identifies the account itself. Every Turkish BIC has TR fixed at positions 5-6, right after the 4-letter bank code. Turkey’s largest state-owned bank keeps its historic head office in the capital, Ankara, while most of the country’s other big banks — including its oldest private lender — base their SWIFT location in Istanbul, the country’s commercial and financial centre.
Major Turkish bank BIC prefixes
| Bank | BIC | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Ziraat Bankası | TCZBTR2A | Ankara |
| Türkiye İş Bankası | ISBKTRIS | Istanbul |
| Garanti BBVA | TGBATRIS | Istanbul |
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 TR, 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 Turkish BIC pattern, not that TCZB, ISBK, or TGBA still names an operating bank, or that the branch suffix is current. A BIC carries no checksum digit, so a fabricated code that matches the shape still passes.
Scope: format validation only. Turkish transfers also need the 26-character IBAN, validated separately with its own mod-97 checksum.
SWIFT/BIC code FAQ
What's the SWIFT code format for a Turkish bank?
A Turkish BIC is 8 or 11 characters: a 4-letter bank code, TR fixed at positions 5-6, a 2-character location code, and an optional 3-character branch code — for example TCZBTR2A for Ziraat Bankası's Ankara head office.
How do I read a Turkish BIC?
In ISBKTRIS, ISBK identifies Türkiye İş Bankası, TR is the country, and IS is the location code for Istanbul, Turkey's commercial and financial hub even though Ankara is the capital.
Does an 8-character code work for a Turkish bank?
Yes — the 8-character BIC and its 11-character form ending XXX both point to the same head office and are accepted the same way on payment instructions.