United Kingdom IBAN and BIC Format

1. Coverage

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's IBAN formatting described below is used also by the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey. Gibraltar and the British Virgin Islands which are also UK's owned territory use the same formatting although not in the mainland. All other British Overseas Territories have their own formats.

Some Largest banks

2. Using IBAN since

United Kingdom has officially introduced the IBAN system in April 2001. Currently, both domestic bank account numbers and IBAN are in circulation.

3. IBAN Mandatory

Although, IBAN can be used for domestic payments in the UK, currently, it is not mandatory.
IBAN in the UK is mandatory only for the following types of payments:

- International payments

4. IBAN Structure

The basic structure of the British IBAN is described below:

GBKK BBBB SSSS SSCC CCCC CC


Where:
K = MOD 97 (ISO 7064) Checksum
B = First four characters from BIC bank code
S = Bank and branch code (Sort Code)
C = Account number

IBAN Example:

National Bank Code
ISO 3166
IBAN Checksum BBAN (Basic Bank Account Number)
Bank Code Branch Sort Code Account Number
GB 26 MIDL 400515 12345674

Structure of The UK’s IBAN, International Bank Account Number the following elements:

  • Country Code is the two letter ISO code of the country. In this case it is 'GB' for Great Britain.
  • Check Digits are the two digits after the country code. They are specially calculated via an algorithm which ensures the correctness of the IBAN and protect against common typos.
  • The bank code consists of the first four characters of the bank’s BIC code and unambiguously identifies the issuing institution. Any branch of that institution shall also be represented by the same bank code irrespective of its geographic location. The BIC codes are registered by S.W.I.F.T. (as the Registration Authority for ISO 9362). There is possibility of obtain BIC code from sort code checker
  • The sort code is a 6 numeric digit number that identifies the UK institution and branch. The sort codes are registered by BPSL. For the purposes of the BBAN, the sort code is not depicted as three two digit numbers separated by hyphens.
  • The account number is an 8 numeric digit number that identifies the individual customer’s clearing account at the UK institution/branch. For account numbers of less than 8 numeric digits, leading zeros must be added The BBAN is presented in all printed forms in sets of four alphabetic characters/numeric digits separated by spaces as follows: AAAA XXXX XXYY YYYY YY where A represents the bank code, X the sort code, and Y the account number.

5. Validating the IBAN

There are two different validations that can be performed to ensure an UK IBAN is correct.
  • First validation is done using the IBAN's Check Digits using the MOD97 algorithm.
  • Second layer of validation can be carried out on the domestic sort code and account number combination
  • Match the sort code against our Bank and Branch code directory to check if it exists

To validate United Kingdom IBAN Number using our multi-layer validation software, please visit our UK IBAN Validator.

Our software performs mutli-layer validations using the following mechanisms:

  • IBAN Check digits
  • Domestic SortCode and Account Number Check Digits
  • Bank and Branch directory search

6. Calculating the IBAN

IBAN can be calculated from a domestic Sort Code and Account Number combination for the United Kingdom.
Our specialized software will first validate the sort code and account number and then calculate a valid IBAN.

To calculate United Kingdom IBAN Number from a domestic sort code and bank account number, please go to our IBAN Calculator.

7. BIC and Structure of BIC Code

4 letters: Institution Code or bank code 2 letters: ISO 3166-1 country code 2 letters or digits: location code 3 letters or digits: branch code - optional
BARC GB 22 XXX

BIC codes ( also known as SWIFT codes ) are another identifier used in conjunction with the IBAN payments.
The specific structure for the UK is described in the diagram above.

Our bank and branch directory can help you Find any BIC by Bank and Branch Name.

8. Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA)

SEPA is an initiative of the European Union to simplify and unite bank payments within Europe.
Below we have listed the banks and institutions which support SEPA transfers and their specific markers.

BIC BANK SEPA Credit SEPA Debit Core B2B SCC
BARCGB22 BARCLAYS BANK PLC YES YES YES YES NO
BARCGB21 BARCLAYS BANK PLC UK YES NO NO NO NO
LOYDGB21 LLOYDS TSB BANK PLC LONDON YES YES NO YES NO
MIDLGB22 HSBC BANK PLC YES YES NO NO NO
MIDLGB21 HSBC BANK PLC YES NO NO NO NO
NWBKGB2L NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK PLC YES YES NO NO NO
ABBYGB2L SANTANDER UK PLC YES NO NO NO NO
HLFXGB21 BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC YES NO NO NO NO
LOYDGB2L LLOYDS BANK PLC YES YES NO YES NO
RBOSGB2L ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC YES YES NO NO NO
CITIGB2L CITIBANK N.A. YES YES YES YES YES
CHASGB2L JPMORGAN CHASE BANK N.A. YES YES YES YES NO
BOFAGB22 BANK OF AMERICA N.A. LONDON YES YES YES YES NO
BOFSGB21 BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC YES NO NO NO NO
TSBSGB21 TSB BANK PLC (FORMERLY LLOYDS TSB SCOTLAND PLC) YES YES NO YES NO
CPBKGB22 CO-OPERATIVE BANK PLC. YES NO NO NO NO
BOFSGBS1 BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC YES NO NO NO NO
DEUTGB2L DEUTSCHE BANK AG YES YES YES YES NO
ABNAGB2L THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC LONDON (FORMERLY KNOWN AS RBS NV) YES YES YES YES NO
BARCGB5G BARCLAYS BANK PLC WHOLESALE YES NO NO NO NO
DABAGB2B NORTHERN BANK LIMITED (TRADING AS DANSKE BANK) YES YES NO YES NO
HANDGB22 SVENSKA HANDELSBANKEN LONDON BRANCH YES YES NO NO NO
BOFSGB2S BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC YES NO NO NO NO
PNBPGB2L WELLS FARGO BANK N.A. LONDON BRANCH YES YES YES YES NO
BOFIGB2B BANK OF IRELAND (UK) PLC YES NO NO NO NO
BNPAGB22 BNP PARIBAS LONDON BRANCH YES YES NO YES NO
COBAGB2X COMMERZBANK AG YES YES YES YES NO
ULSBGB2B ULSTER BANK LIMITED YES YES NO NO NO
HLFXGB22 HALIFAX (ALL UK RETAIL OFFICES) YES NO NO NO NO
CLYDGB2S CLYDESDALE BANK PLC YES NO NO NO NO
BOFSGB2L BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC YES NO NO NO NO
AIBKGB2L ALLIED IRISH BANK (GB) (AIB GROUP (UK) P.L.C. T/A) YES NO NO NO NO
YORKGB22 YORKSHIRE BANK (CLYDESDALE BANK PLC T/A) YES NO NO NO NO
ESSEGB2L SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN LONDON YES YES YES YES NO
CNORGB22 NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY THE YES NO NO NO NO
SMCOGB2P HSBC PRIVATE BANK (UK) LIMITED YES NO NO NO NO
NDEAGB2L NORDEA BANK AB LONDON BRANCH YES NO NO NO NO
DNBAGB2L DNB BANK ASA LONDON BRANCH YES NO NO NO NO
DABAGB2L DANSKE BANK YES YES NO YES NO
BBVAGB2L BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA S.A. YES YES YES YES NO
BOTKGB2L BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ LTD. THE YES YES YES YES NO
INGBGB22 ING BANK N.V. LONDON BRANCH YES NO NO NO NO
IVESGB2L INVESTEC BANK PLC YES NO NO NO NO
CNORGB2X NORTHERN TRUST GLOBAL SERVICES LIMITED YES NO NO NO NO
HOABGB2L C. HOARE AND CO. YES NO NO NO NO
FTBKGB2B FIRST TRUST BANK YES NO NO NO NO
FTSBGB2L ABN AMRO BANK N.V. UK BRANCH (FORMELY KNOWN AS FORTIS BANK (NEDERLAND) YES YES NO YES NO
HYVEGB2L UNICREDIT BANK AG (HYPOVEREINSBANK) YES YES NO NO NO
PARBGB2L BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES SERVICES UNITED KINGDOM YES YES NO NO NO
SVBKGB2L SILICON VALLEY BANK YES NO NO NO NO
CASHGB2L VOICE COMMERCE LIMITED YES NO NO NO NO
CSUKGB2L CREDIT SUISSE (UK) LIMITED YES NO NO NO NO
SOGEGB2L SOCIETE GENERALE NO YES NO YES NO
KREDGB2X KBC BANK NV LONDON YES YES NO YES NO
CRLYGB2L CREDIT AGRICOLE CIB YES YES NO YES NO
MHCBGB2L MIZUHO BANK LTD. LONDON BRANCH YES NO NO NO NO
ALBLGB2L ALPHA BANK LONDON LIMITED YES NO NO NO NO
BCITGB2L INTESA SANPAOLO SPA LONDON (FORMERLY BANCA INTESA S.P.A. LONDON) YES YES NO YES NO
SMBCGB2L SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION EUROPE LIMITED YES YES NO YES NO
BSABGB2L BANCO DE SABADELL S.A. YES NO NO NO NO
BSCHGB2L BANCO SANTANDER S.A. YES NO NO NO NO
BCYPGB2L BANK OF CYPRUS UK YES NO NO NO NO
ICBKGB2L ICBC (LONDON) PLC YES YES NO YES NO
GEBAGB22 BNP PARIBAS LONDON BRANCH (FORMERLY BNP PARIBAS FORTIS SA/NV) YES NO NO NO NO
PUNBGB22 PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK INTERNATIONAL LTD. YES NO NO NO NO
SELNGB21 SENTENIAL YES YES NO NO NO
ABCEGB2L ABC INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC YES YES NO NO NO
RAPHGB31 R RAPHAELS AND SONS PLC YES YES NO NO NO
TSBSGB2S LLOYDS TSB SCOTLAND EDINBURGH YES NO NO NO NO
ARABGB2L EUROPE ARAB BANK PLC YES YES YES YES NO
ICICGB2L ICICI BANK UK PLC YES NO NO NO NO
VRBPGB2L BANCO POPOLARE YES NO NO NO NO
BMARGB2L BANCA MARCH S.A. YES NO NO NO NO
ETHNGB2L NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE (LONDON) YES NO NO NO NO
SWISGB2L SWISSCANTO FUNDS CENTRE LIMITED YES NO NO NO NO
DBUKGB2L DIAMOND BANK (UK) PLC YES NO NO NO NO
JPMGGB2L JP MORGAN INTERNATIONAL BANK LTD YES NO NO NO NO
HLFXGB31 HALIFAX (ALL UK RETAIL OFFICES) YES NO NO NO NO

9. Currency & Exchange rates

Official currency and exchange rate information is updated daily from the European Central Bank. Currency: GBP (Pound sterling)
Name: British Pound
Symbol: £ penny: p
Minor Unit:1/100 = penny


ECB Exchange rates at 2024-12-23 14:58:25

EUR

USD

CHF

CAD

AUD

JPY

HKD

1 GBP

1.2049

1.2522

1.1249

1.8047

2.0082

196.8311

9.7303

10. Sort Code Samples

Below you can find the most popular sort code records from our UK Sort Code Directory.

Sort Code Bank City ZIP Phone
070093 NATIONWIDE BUILDING SOCIETY Swindon L SN38 1NW 0800 302011
070116 NATIONWIDE BUILDING SOCIETY Swindon L SN38 1NW 0800 302011
070246 NATIONWIDE BUILDING SOCIETY SWINDON SN38 1NW 0800 302011
070436 NATIONWIDE BUILDING SOCIETY Swindon SN38 1NW 0800 302011
074456 NATIONWIDE BUILDING SOCIETY Swindon L SN38 1NW 0800 302011
083210 CITIBANK NA London E14 5LB 020 75005000
086064 VIRGIN MONEY PLC Gosforth NE3 4PL 0845 6008401
087199 APS FINANCIAL LTD LONDON EC3P 3WR 0207 1005850
089249 THE CO-OPERATIVE BANK PLC Manchester M60 1GP 0845 7212212
089286 THE CO-OPERATIVE BANK PLC Skelmersdale WN8 6GF 08457 212212
089300 THE CO-OPERATIVE BANK PLC Manchester M60 1GP 0845 7212212
090126 Santander UK plc MERSEYSIDE L30 4UA 0870 6000125
090127 Santander UK plc MERSEYSIDE L30 4UA 0870 6000125
090128 Santander UK plc MERSEYSIDE L30 4UA 0870 6000125
090132 Santander UK plc MERSEYSIDE L30 4UA  
090133 Santander UK plc MERSEYSIDE L30 4UA  
090134 Santander UK plc MERSEYSIDE L30 4UA  
090135 Santander UK plc MERSEYSIDE L30 4UA  
090136 Santander UK plc MERSEYSIDE L30 4UA  
090222 Santander UK plc MERSEYSIDE L30 4UA 0870 6000125
090666 Santander UK plc MERSEYSIDE L30 4UA 0845 6070666
110001 HALIFAX (A TRADING NAME OF BANK OFSCOTLAND PLC) Leeds LS1 9GG 0345 7394959
111425 HALIFAX (A TRADING NAME OF BANK OFSCOTLAND PLC) Leeds LS1 9GG 0345 7394959
161623 THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC Bolton BL6 4YU 0345 3660640
180002 COUTTS & CO London WC2R 0QS 020 77531000
185008 CITIBANK NA London E14 5LB 020 75005000
200000 BARCLAYS BANK PLC Leicester LE87 2BB 0345 7345345
200415 BARCLAYS BANK PLC Northampton NN4 7SG 01604 234234
202963 BARCLAYS BANK PLC Leicester LE87 2BB 0345 7345345
205101 BARCLAYS BANK PLC Leicester LE87 2BB 0345 7345345
207094 BARCLAYS BANK PLC Leicester LE87 2BB 0345 7345345
230580 METRO BANK PLC London WC1B 5HA 0345 0808500
231884 SPECTRUM PAYMENT SERVICES LTD  T/ACARDONEBANKING CHESTER CH4 9EP 01244 572300
300002 LLOYDS BANK PLC Gillingham ME8 0LS 0345 9825323
301599 LLOYDS BANK PLC Gillingham ME8 0LS 020 77752797
400250 HSBC BANK PLC London SE1 9DZ 0845 6064321
400515 HSBC BANK PLC EC3M 4BA  
400530 HSBC BANK PLC London EC4N 4TR  
401255 HSBC BANK PLC Chester CH99 9FB 01244 686076
405162 SVENSKA HANDELSBANKEN AB (PUBL) London E1W 1WY 020 75788000
406301 COVENTRY BUILDING SOCIETY Coventry CV1 5QN 02476 839209
560029 NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK PLC Chatham ME4 4RT 0870 2403355
600001 NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK PLC Chatham ME4 4RT 0870 2403355
623053 NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK PLC Bolton BL1 8FH 0845 3088935
772026 LLOYDS BANK PLC Chelmsford CM1 1JS 0345 3000000
835000 THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC Greenock PA15 1EF 0131 3126790



11. UK Payment schemes

Information about the following payment schemes operating in the UK:

Bacs Payment Schemes Limited
Bacs is the scheme responsible for the payment system that enables electronic transfer of funds directly to a specified bank account (Direct Credit) and the collection of pre-authorized debits on a payer’s bank account (Direct Debit).

The Belfast Bankers’ Clearing Company Limited (BBCCL)
BBCCL is the scheme responsible for the oversight of the systems used for processing of cheques and other paper instruments in Northern Ireland.

CHAPS Clearing Company Limited
CHAPS Co is the scheme responsible for the CHAPS payment system that enables real-time, high-value sterling payments where payments are settled over the Bank of England’s Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system.

Cheque and Credit Clearing Company (C&CCC)
C&CCC is the scheme responsible for managing the processing of checks and other paper payment instruments in England, Scotland and Wales.

Faster Payments Scheme Limited
Faster Payments enables electronic real-time payments via Internet, telephone and mobile banking applications, as well as standing orders.

LINK Scheme
LINK is the scheme responsible for end-users’ access to cash (amongst other activities) via the UK’s ATM network.

12. Bank National Holidays

Date Day Holiday Countries
1 Jan Fri New Year's Day National
4 Jan Mon 2nd January Scotland
17 Mar Thu St Patrick's Day Northern Ireland
25 Mar Fri Good Friday National
28 Mar Mon Easter Monday National except Scotland
2 May Mon Early May Bank Holiday National
30 May Mon Spring Bank Holiday National
12 Jul Tue Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day) Northern Ireland
1 Aug Mon Summer Bank Holiday Scotland
29 Aug Mon Summer Bank Holiday National except Scotland
30 Nov Wed St. Andrew's Day Scotland
25 Dec Sun Christmas Day National
26 Dec Mon Boxing Day National
27 Dec Tue Christmas Day National (Substitute Day)

13. Institutions

Bank of England www.bankofengland.co.uk
Payments Council www.paymentscouncil.org.uk
UK Payments Administration www.ukpayments.org.uk
VocaLink www.vocalink.com
Bacs www.bacs.co.uk
CHAPS Co www.chapsco.co.uk
Cheque & Credit Clearing Company (C&CCC) www.chequeandcredit.co.uk
Faster Payments Scheme Limited (FPSL) www.fasterpayments.org.uk