Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) IFSC Code — Complete Guide
Indian Overseas Bank is a Chennai-based public sector bank founded in 1937 with the specific mandate to specialise in foreign exchange business and overseas banking. With 3,300+ branches and a presence in major overseas financial centres, IOB is known for its NRI services, international remittances, and trade finance. It is particularly strong in Tamil Nadu and southern India.
How to Find IOB IFSC Code
- Use the search tool above — select state, district and branch
- Check your IOB cheque book — IFSC printed at top of every leaf
- Open your IOB passbook — front page shows IFSC code
- Log in to IOB net banking → Account Details
Using IOB IFSC for Transfers
- NEFT: Enter IFSC when adding beneficiary. Settled in 30 minutes.
- RTGS: For transfers above ₹2 lakh. Settled in real time.
- IMPS: 24×7 instant transfers up to ₹5 lakh.
- International: Use SWIFT code IOBAINBB (not IFSC) for overseas transfers.
NEFT, RTGS and IMPS Timings
- NEFT: Available 24×7 including weekends and holidays. Funds transferred in 30-minute settlement batches.
- RTGS: Available 24×7. Minimum transfer ₹2 lakh. Settlement is real-time and immediate.
- IMPS: Available 24×7 all 365 days. Maximum ₹5 lakh per transaction. Instant credit.
How IFSC Code Works in a Bank Transfer
When you initiate a fund transfer, you provide the beneficiary's account number and IFSC code. The payment system uses the IFSC to route the transaction to the correct bank branch. The first 4 characters identify the bank; the last 6 identify the branch. RBI's National Clearing Cell processes the transaction and credits the beneficiary's account.
IFSC Code vs Account Number
Your account number uniquely identifies your individual bank account. The IFSC code identifies the specific branch where that account is held. Both are needed together for online fund transfers — the account number tells where to credit, the IFSC tells which branch to route to.