You're standing in your kitchen, phone in hand, trying to send a wire transfer across the ocean. The screen is asking for an 8 or 11-character code. You’ve probably seen the term "BIC" or "SWIFT" floating around your bank statements. It feels like one of those tiny technicalities that doesn't matter until it really, really does.
Getting the jp morgan chase swift number right is the difference between your money landing in a London flat or getting stuck in a digital purgatory for three weeks. Honestly, it's a bit of a mess if you don't know what to look for.
The Core Code: CHASUS33
If you are just looking for the quick answer, here it is. For the vast majority of international transfers going into a standard Chase checking or savings account in the United States, the primary SWIFT code is CHASUS33.
Sometimes you'll see it written as CHASUS33XXX. Those three "X"s at the end? They're basically just placeholders. They tell the global financial system, "Hey, send this to the main head office, not a specific sub-branch."
Why the "XXX" Actually Matters
You might be wondering why some people insist on adding those three letters at the end. In the world of banking, precision is everything. A SWIFT code (or Bank Identifier Code) is broken down into four parts:
- CHAS: The bank code (Short for Chase).
- US: The country code (United States).
- 33: The location code (usually New York for Chase).
- XXX: The branch code.
If you leave it at eight characters (CHASUS33), the system treats it the same as the eleven-character version ending in XXX. It’s sort of like mailing a letter to a massive skyscraper. If you don’t put a floor number, it just goes to the mailroom. For Chase, the "mailroom" is their massive processing hub in New York.
When the Main Code Isn't Enough
Most people think every single Chase branch on a street corner has its own SWIFT code. They don't.
That would be a logistical nightmare. Instead, Chase uses a centralized system. However, if you are dealing with JP Morgan Private Bank or specific investment arms, things get a little twitchy.
For example, some high-net-worth accounts or specific brokerage transfers might use MGTCUS3G. That’s for Morgan Guaranty Trust, which is part of the JP Morgan family but handles different types of institutional "big money" moves. If you use the standard jp morgan chase swift number for a specialized Morgan Stanley or private wealth account, it might bounce. Or worse, it might sit in a suspense account while a human being in a suit tries to figure out where it belongs.
Domestic vs. International: Don't Swap These
Here is a mistake I see all the time. Someone tries to use their 9-digit Routing Number for an international wire.
It won't work.
Routing numbers (ABA numbers) are strictly for the US domestic system—think FedWire or ACH. If someone is sending you money from Germany or Japan, they cannot use that 9-digit number. They must have the SWIFT/BIC code.
The "Wrong Code" Nightmare
What actually happens if you mess it up?
If you put in a code that doesn't exist, the sending bank's system will usually catch it before the "Send" button even works. But if you put in a valid SWIFT code for the wrong bank—say, you accidentally use a Citibank code instead of Chase—your money is going on a trip.
Usually, the receiving bank will see that the account name doesn't match the account number and they’ll send it back. But "sending it back" isn't instant. It involves intermediary banks, each of which might take a small fee out of your total. You could lose $50 to $100 just in "oops" fees and wait ten business days to see your money again. It's frustrating.
Real-World Use Case: Receiving Money from Abroad
Let’s say you’re a freelancer in Ohio and a client in France needs to pay you. You need to give them:
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- Your full name (as it appears on your Chase account).
- Your home address.
- Your 12-digit Chase account number.
- The jp morgan chase swift number: CHASUS33.
- The bank's address (usually 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017).
Even though you're in Ohio, you use the New York address because that's where the international gate is located for the bank.
Digital Shortcuts and the Mobile App
If you're ever in doubt, don't guess.
You can find the specific wire instructions inside the Chase mobile app. Tap on your checking account, go to "Pay & Transfer," and look for "Wires and Global Transfers." It’ll give you a "Recieving" tab that spells everything out.
Actionable Steps for a Smooth Transfer
- Verify the Account Type: Make sure you aren't using a "Chase Secure" or "First Checking" account, as some of these have weird restrictions on wire transfers.
- Confirm the Currency: If someone is sending you Euros, Chase will automatically convert them to USD, but they’ll take a cut of the exchange rate. Sometimes it's better to use a third-party service if the amount is huge.
- Double Check the BIC: Use CHASUS33 for standard banking.
- Keep the Receipt: Always get the MT103 document from the sender. It’s the "tracking number" for the SWIFT world. If the money hasn't arrived in three days, Chase will need that number to find it.
The system is old, built on tech from the 70s, but it's what we have. Stick to the primary code, and you'll usually be fine.