SWIFT / BIC Codes in Malawi

SWIFT/BIC codes for Malawi consist of 8 or 11 alphanumeric characters under ISO 9362. Characters 5 and 6 are 'MW', the ISO 3166-1 country code for Malawi.

Our directory contains 30 SWIFT/BIC codes registered across 10 banks and 4 municipalities in Malawi.

Domestic clearing arrangements in this country are not covered by our dataset — confirm routing details with the beneficiary bank. Outbound and inbound international wire transfers route via the SWIFT network using ISO 9362 BICs.

SWIFT codes identify the beneficiary bank institution, while IBANs (ISO 13616) or account numbers identify the specific account holder. For cross-border wires, both the receiving bank's BIC and customer account number are generally required.

Cross-border transfers to Malawi typically process within 1 to 5 business days, depending on correspondent banking links, time zone cut-offs, and compliance checks.

An 8-character BIC specifies an institution's primary head office in Malawi. An 11-character BIC appends a 3-character branch suffix to target a specific branch location or department.

Using an incorrect code can delay execution, cause transaction returns, or incur administrative bounce fees from intermediary institutions. Verify all routing details with your beneficiary beforehand.

SWIFT/BIC codes are assigned and registered internationally by SWIFT as the ISO 9362 Registration Authority, not directly issued by central bank authorities unless integrated into national clearing directories.

You can look up the bank name and location in our Malawi directory, and confirm the exact code directly with the receiving beneficiary or branch documentation.

Data for Malawi is compiled from open community BIC reference records (2024 vintage).