Chase's Bank Identification Code for Wire Transfers

A bank identification code (also called a BIC or SWIFT code) is an eight- or eleven-character code that identifies a specific Chase branch or processing center during a wire transfer. When you send money to someone with a Chase account, you may need this code so the receiving bank can route the funds to the correct location.

Chase's primary bank identification code is CHASUS33 — this is the code for Chase's main U.S. wire processing center in New York. If you are sending a domestic wire (money staying within the United States), you typically do not need a BIC at all. Domestic wires use routing numbers instead, which are nine digits and specific to each Chase branch. International wires, however, almost always require a BIC because banks outside the U.S. use this format to identify financial institutions.

The difference matters because a routing number tells Chase which of its branches to send money to, while a BIC tells a foreign bank that the destination is Chase itself. If you are wiring money internationally to a Chase customer, you will need CHASUS33 plus the recipient's account number and full name.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase's bank identification code for international wire transfers is CHASUS33, which routes money to Chase's main U.S. processing center.
  • Domestic wire transfers within the U.S. use a nine-digit routing number instead of a BIC code.
  • You need a BIC only when sending money internationally; the receiving bank uses it to identify Chase as the destination institution.
  • The eleven-character version of Chase's BIC (CHASUS33XXX) and the eight-character version (CHASUS33) are functionally the same for wire purposes.

When You Actually Need Chase's Bank Identification Code

You need CHASUS33 when someone outside the United States is sending you money to your Chase account, or when you are sending money from your Chase account to a bank outside the U.S. In both cases, the foreign bank's system requires a BIC to identify where the money is going or coming from.

If you are sending a wire from Chase to another U.S. bank, you do not need a BIC. Instead, you provide the recipient's routing number (which you can find on a check or by calling their bank) and their account number. Chase's online wire transfer form and phone banking system will ask for a routing number for domestic transfers and a BIC for international ones.

Some international wire forms ask for both a BIC and an IBAN (International Bank Account Number). An IBAN is a longer code used by banks outside North America to identify a specific account. If you are sending money to Europe, the Middle East, or parts of Asia, you may encounter IBAN fields. Chase account holders in the U.S. do not have IBANs, but recipients in those regions will provide one.

How to Find Chase's Bank Identification Code

You do not need to search for Chase's BIC — it is always CHASUS33 for any Chase account in the United States. You can use this code for any international wire transfer to or from Chase, regardless of which Chase branch you use or which branch the recipient uses.

If you are setting up a wire transfer through Chase's website or mobile app, the system often fills in the BIC automatically once you indicate the transfer is international. If you are wiring money to Chase from another bank, provide CHASUS33 to that bank's wire department. If you are wiring money from Chase to a foreign bank, that bank will provide you with its own BIC code, which you enter into Chase's wire form.

Some wire transfer forms include a field labeled "Bank Code" or "SWIFT Code" — these are the same thing as a BIC. Chase's code works in any of these fields.

The Difference Between Routing Numbers and Bank Identification Codes

A routing number is a nine-digit code specific to a single Chase branch or processing center. Each Chase location has its own routing number. These numbers are used only for transfers within the United States and are printed on the bottom left of every Chase check.

A bank identification code is used internationally and identifies the entire Chase institution, not a specific branch. CHASUS33 works the same way whether you are sending money to a Chase branch in California or Florida. Foreign banks do not use routing numbers; they use BICs to identify U.S. banks.

If you are confused about which code to use, the rule is straightforward: if the transfer stays in the U.S., use a routing number. If money is crossing a border, use CHASUS33.

What Happens If You Use the Wrong Code

If you provide an incorrect routing number on a domestic wire, Chase's system will usually catch the error before the transfer goes out and ask you to correct it. If you somehow send a wire with a wrong routing number, the receiving bank will reject it, and the money returns to your Chase account within a few business days.

If you use an incorrect BIC on an international wire, the foreign bank's system may reject the transfer, or it may send the money to the wrong institution. International wire reversals take longer — often two to four weeks — because the money has to travel back through multiple banking systems. For this reason, it is worth double-checking the BIC with the recipient or the receiving bank before you send.

Using CHASUS33 when you should use a routing number (or vice versa) will result in an error message from Chase's system. The wire will not process until you provide the correct code for the transfer type.

International Wire Transfers and Additional Information You May Need

Beyond the BIC, an international wire to a Chase account requires the recipient's full legal name, account number, and the amount in U.S. dollars. Some foreign banks also ask for the recipient's address and a reference or description of the transfer.

If you are receiving an international wire to your Chase account, you may need to provide the sender with additional information depending on their bank's requirements. Some banks ask for your IBAN (which U.S. Chase accounts do not have), your full address, or a phone number. In these cases, provide what you can and let the sender know that U.S. banks do not use IBANs. The sender's bank should accept CHASUS33 plus your account number as sufficient identification.

Chase charges a fee for incoming and outgoing international wires. The amount varies and changes over time, so check your current Chase account terms or call Chase directly for the exact fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CHASUS33 the same as a SWIFT code?

Yes. SWIFT code and bank identification code are the same thing. SWIFT stands for the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, the organization that assigns these codes. CHASUS33 is Chase's SWIFT code for U.S. operations.

Do I need a different code for different Chase branches?

No. CHASUS33 works for any Chase branch in the United States. You do not need to look up a specific branch code. The routing number changes by branch, but the BIC does not.

What if the wire form asks for an eleven-character code instead of eight?

Some systems ask for the full eleven-character version: CHASUS33XXX. This is the same code with three extra characters added. Either version works — use whichever format the form requests.

Can I use CHASUS33 to send money to a non-Chase bank?

No. CHASUS33 identifies Chase only. If you are sending money to another bank, you need that bank's BIC code. The receiving bank will provide this to you.

How long does an international wire take if I use the correct BIC?

International wires typically take one to three business days, though some may take longer depending on the receiving country and bank. The correct BIC does not speed up the process, but an incorrect one will delay it significantly.