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IBAN stands for International Bank Account Number. It's your account number written in a standard global format.
Most banks also have their own BIC or SWIFT code. BIC stands for Business Identifier Code, although they’re also referred to as a Bank Identifier Code or a Bank International Code.
You might also sometimes see BIC codes called SWIFT codes because they use the SWIFT system (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication). But they're the same thing.
Your IBAN helps banks to identify accounts held anywhere in the world so they can process international payments automatically.
You'll need to know your own IBAN and BIC or SWIFT code if you're receiving money from outside the UK.
Not every country uses IBANs, but if you're sending money outside the UK, you'll generally need the IBAN and BIC or SWIFT code of the person you're sending money to.
International payments can take longer than those being made within the UK.
If you're sending money with HSBC to the European Economic Area (EEA)[@eea-countries] in euros or sterling, it should arrive the next working day.
Payments outside the EEA can take up to 4 working days or longer.
There are 4 ways to find out your IBAN and BIC or SWIFT code if you're with HSBC.
1. The quickest and easiest is by logging on to our mobile banking app or online banking. Just follow these steps:
2. You can also find your IBAN and BIC or SWIFT code on your paper statements.
3. If you have a Currency Account with HSBC, you can find your IBAN and BIC or SWIFT code by logging on to online banking and looking in the ‘Details’ section above your Currency Account transactions.
4. If you’ve recently opened a current account with us, you’ll also find your IBAN and BIC or SWIFT code in your welcome letter.
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