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IBANs for wire payments

Understand how to use IBANs for simple, secure wire payments

What is an IBAN?

IBAN stands for International Bank Account Number. It’s a bank account number that is recognized by banks and other financial institutions around the world. You often need to use an IBAN when you make or receive a cross-border payment for certain countries that mandate the use of IBAN international payments.

It’s a standardized way of identifying a bank account, which cuts down on errors and delays in sending international payments. 

How many numbers does an IBAN have?

IBANs are different in length, depending on the country of origin. That’s because an IBAN simply adds a standard prefix to a person’s domestic account number (also known as a basic bank account number).

The prefix in an IBAN includes:

  • The country code (2 letters)
  • The check number (2 numbers)
  • The bank code (number of characters varies)

The basic bank account number will also vary in length based on the county it originates from. Each country has a standard length for their basic bank account number and bank codes. So you can tell how long an IBAN should be based on the country it is from.

How do I get a beneficiary’s IBAN?

The best way to get a beneficiary’s IBAN is by contacting the beneficiary directly. It is recommended that the beneficiary ensure their details are up to date with their financial institution.

How can I check if an IBAN is right?

You should check directly with the beneficiary to ensure that the IBAN is correct.

Additional information

What information do I need to make an international transfer?

The transfer information required is different for each country and must be supplied by the receiving bank.
Receiving country Currency Information required
UK GBP
All other currencies
 Sort Code
IBAN / SWIFT / BIC code
All European Countries
 All currencies IBAN / SWIFT / BIC code
Beneficiary address
USA All currencies
 International ABA/Fedwire Number
Canada All currencies

SWIFT / BIC code
Beneficiary address

Canadian Clearing Code
Australia/New Zealand/South Africa All currencies
 Routing code
Hong Kong USD, EUR, GBP IBAN / SWIFT / BIC code
China USD, EUR, GBP SWIFT / BIC code
India INR
All other currencies
 IFSC code
SWIFT / BIC code
United Arab Emirates (UAE) All currencies
 IBAN Mandatory
Mexico All currencies
 IBAN
Costa Rica All currencies
 IBAN
The transfer information required is different for each country and must be supplied by the receiving bank.
Receiving country UK
Currency GBP
All other currencies
Information required Sort Code
IBAN / SWIFT / BIC code
Receiving country All European Countries
Currency All currencies
Information required IBAN / SWIFT / BIC code
Beneficiary address
Receiving country USA
Currency All currencies
Information required International ABA/Fedwire Number
Receiving country Canada
Currency All currencies
Information required

SWIFT / BIC code
Beneficiary address

Canadian Clearing Code
Receiving country Australia/New Zealand/South Africa
Currency All currencies
Information required Routing code
Receiving country Hong Kong
Currency USD, EUR, GBP
Information required IBAN / SWIFT / BIC code
Receiving country China
Currency USD, EUR, GBP
Information required SWIFT / BIC code
Receiving country India
Currency INR
All other currencies
Information required IFSC code
SWIFT / BIC code
Receiving country United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Currency All currencies
Information required IBAN Mandatory
Receiving country Mexico
Currency All currencies
Information required IBAN
Receiving country Costa Rica
Currency All currencies
Information required IBAN

*other countries not listed may be IBAN mandatory

Details relating to your recipient's bank account
Term Definition
The account holder’s name
 The recipient’s full name
Account number
 The recipient's bank account number
IBAN The International Bank Account Number
Bank name The name of the bank where the recipient’s account is held
Bank address The address of the recipient’s bank
Sort code UK Bank Code (6 digits usually displayed as 3 pairs of numbers)
Routing number The American Bankers Association Number (consists of 9 digits). Sometimes also referred to as an ABA Routing Number
SWIFT / BIC code A SWIFT Code consists of 8 or 11 characters, both numbers and letters e.g. RFXLGB2L. 
IFSC code Indian Financial System Code. A unique 11-digit code that identifies the bank branch e.g. ICIC0001245
Routing code 
 Any other local Bank Code, e.g. BSB number in Australia and New Zealand (6 digits)
Canadian Clearing Code
 9-digit code (made up a leading number “zero” followed by 3-digit financial institution and 5-digit branch transit) number e.g. 001600300
Details relating to your recipient's bank account
Term The account holder’s name
Definition The recipient’s full name
Term Account number
Definition The recipient's bank account number
Term IBAN
Definition The International Bank Account Number
Term Bank name
Definition The name of the bank where the recipient’s account is held
Term Bank address
Definition The address of the recipient’s bank
Term Sort code
Definition UK Bank Code (6 digits usually displayed as 3 pairs of numbers)
Term Routing number
Definition The American Bankers Association Number (consists of 9 digits). Sometimes also referred to as an ABA Routing Number
Term SWIFT / BIC code
Definition A SWIFT Code consists of 8 or 11 characters, both numbers and letters e.g. RFXLGB2L. 
Term IFSC code
Definition Indian Financial System Code. A unique 11-digit code that identifies the bank branch e.g. ICIC0001245
Term Routing code 
Definition Any other local Bank Code, e.g. BSB number in Australia and New Zealand (6 digits)
Term Canadian Clearing Code
Definition 9-digit code (made up a leading number “zero” followed by 3-digit financial institution and 5-digit branch transit) number e.g. 001600300

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Disclosure

Issued by HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited, of 37 Front Street, Hamilton Bermuda, which is licensed to conduct Banking and Investment Business by the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

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