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?
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 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 |
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 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
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 |
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.