Paying Filipino VAs: Philippine Bank Codes Guide

Hiring the best Filipino virtual assistant? Excellent decision—remote workers from the Philippines are well-known for their skills, professionalism, loyalty, and great fit with US culture. You’re well on your way to a hands-free business that runs smoothly while you sleep.

Naturally, you’ll want to know every detail about hiring a VA or virtual assistant from the Philippines. One such detail that’s easy to overlook is paying remote workers through bank codes used in the Philippines.

While we here at OnlineJobs.ph provide you with a quick and easy payment system, you might want to pay your remote worker via direct deposit or an international wire transfer. In that case, understanding Philippine bank codes like BRSTN and SWIFT will ensure your payment reaches the right place—without delays or hiccups.

Let’s break it down.

What is a Bank Code in the Philippines? 

A bank code is a unique identifier that uses numbers or a combination of letters and numbers. A bank code helps route payments to the right bank or financial institution.

Think of a bank code like a ZIP code for your Filipino VA’s bank—it ensures your payment won’t end up lost or bounced back. It guides the money exactly where it needs to go.

BRSTN vs. SWIFT: What’s the Difference?

Local banks use these two main types of codes, so you’ll likely come across them when transacting business with virtual assistants from the Philippines. Let’s look at them closely.

BRSTN (Bank Routing Symbol Transit Number)

• A 9-digit code that identifies the local branch of a particular bank
• Used for bank-to-bank transactions within the Philippines
• This may come up if your home-based virtual assistant employee uses a local payment method or service or bank clearinghouse

SWIFT Code

• An alphanumeric code that’s typically 8-10 characters long
• Used for international wire transfers, like from a US bank to a Philippine bank
• Ensures the money is sent to the correct bank anywhere in the world

If you’re sending money directly from your US account to your remote worker’s Philippine bank, you’ll likely only need their SWIFT code.

Banks in the Philippines and their Codes

Here are the SWIFT and BRSTN numbers for the major and niche banks used by virtual assistants in the Philippines:

*Merged with Landbank but may still appear in banking forms.

Conclusion

Now you can pay your Filipino virtual assistant without worries! With these SWIFT or BRSTN codes, you can send payments quickly and with confidence.

Whether you’re using direct bank transfers, Payoneer, PayPal, Wise, or another payment method you and your VA agree upon, knowing the basics about Philippine bank codes makes the process smooth, seamless, and worry-free.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the 4-digit bank code in the Philippines?

Some payment processors use an internal 4-digit bank code to represent each bank within their own system (e.g., 0001 for BDO). Some platforms use it, too (like Upwork). It’s not used in the actual transfer but may be needed when filling out certain platforms.

2. How do I find a Filipino VA’s bank code?

Ask your Filipino virtual assistant directly! They usually know their bank’s SWIFT or BRSTN codes. You or your remote worker can also visit the bank’s official website for confirmation.

3. Do I need both a BRSTN and SWIFT code?

Usually, no. For US (and other international) wire transfers, only the SWIFT code is needed. BRSTN is primarily for local transfers used by some financial services.

4. Does OnlineJobs.ph require bank codes for payments?

We don’t require bank codes as we don’t process payments directly. Our EasyPay system uses Payoneer and PayPal as third-party payment processors.

5. What happens if I enter the wrong bank code?

Payments with the incorrect bank code may get stuck in processing or bounce back. As an employer, remember to always double-check the information with your remote worker before sending funds.