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Creditor Reference

ISO 11649 structured payment reference used with a regular IBAN on Swiss QR-bills and international invoices.

The Creditor Reference (ISO 11649) is an internationally standardised payment reference designed to replace unstructured remittance information. On Swiss QR-bills it is used when the creditor holds a regular IBAN (not a QR-IBAN).

Format: RF + 2-digit check digits + up to 21 alphanumeric characters.
Example: RF18 5390 0754 7034

The check digits are calculated using the same algorithm as the IBAN (ISO 7064 MOD-97-10), making the reference self-validating. It is carried in the QR Code field Reference with type SCOR.

Key facts

  • Standard: ISO 11649
  • Format: RF + 2 check digits + max 21 alphanumeric chars (max 25 total)
  • Used with: regular IBAN (not QR-IBAN)
  • QR Code reference type: SCOR
  • Internationally recognised — usable for cross-border invoices