HSBC Bank PLC SWIFT/BIC code

HSBCIE2D – the SWIFT/BIC code of HSBC Bank PLC

HSBCIE2D and HSBCIE2DXXX are two ways of writing the same SWIFT/BIC code, and both lead to HSBC Bank PLC in Dublin. Every bank on the SWIFT network uses BIC codes to direct international transfers to the correct institution. It comes up mostly for transfers between countries and payments in foreign currencies.

Below we go through the practical questions: money coming in from abroad, sending money abroad and how to verify the code before you confirm a payment. The SWIFT code on its own does not identify a personal account; for that you need the IBAN or account number is for.

HSBCIE2D or HSBCIE2DXXX – which one to use?

A BIC is made up of fixed blocks: characters one to four identify the bank, the next two give the country and characters seven and eight indicate the location. In this case, that core is HSBCIE2D.

The long version has three more characters for a branch or department. If the last three are XXX, the code points to the head office.

Type the code in one piece, in capitals and without spaces. A wrong letter can send the money to another bank, so check it twice.

About this information

We gather SWIFT/BIC codes using publicly available data and check them regularly. Even so, banks merge or retire codes, so information can be out of date. The figures on this page reflect what is in our directory.

Treat our data as a starting point, rather than as the final word – the bank details from the recipient are leading. GoldexPay is a comparison site and not affiliated with HSBC Bank PLC. Found outdated information? Let us know through the contact page.

Which of the 2 codes of HSBC Bank PLC do you need?

Our database contains 2 SWIFT/BIC codes for HSBC Bank PLC. Next to the head office code HSBCIE2DXXX, you will find codes for branches, departments or specific services.

For most incoming transfers, the head office code HSBCIE2DXXX is what you need. Branch codes are only needed when the account holder specifically asks for it, which is more common for business accounts and specialised services.

The best way is to copy the code straight from the account holder’s statement. Branch codes can change when banks reorganise, so a code from an old document is not always valid.

Incoming international payments to HSBC Bank PLC

Someone abroad who wants to pay you will ask for several details from you, and missing ones are a common cause of delays. In practice that means: your full name exactly as it appears on the account, your account number or IBAN, the SWIFT/BIC code HSBCIE2DXXX (or HSBCIE2D) and usually your postal address.

Their bank might request the bank address of HSBC Bank PLC, in which case the Dublin head office is the usual answer. Check every detail before you send them.

An incoming payment will not always arrive in full. Correspondent banks can take a fee, and when currencies differ, a markup on the rate comes on top. Agree with the sender who pays which costs.

Paying someone abroad from your HSBC Bank PLC account

The price of an international transfer is made up of more than one component – not just the fee on your screen. You pay the transfer fee, possibly charges from correspondent banks in between and, most importantly, the margin on the exchange rate if the currency changes.

The markup on the rate tends to be the largest cost. An easy check: set the rate you get next to the mid-market rate for the same moment and work out the difference on your amount.

For many routes, a specialist provider is less expensive than a bank. On GoldexPay you can compare what recipients receive with different providers, which makes the cheapest option easy to spot. You can still keep your account at HSBC Bank PLC.

Paying into HSBC Bank PLC in EUR

Ireland uses the Euro. If you send money in a different currency it has to be converted at some point: by your bank, an intermediary or HSBC Bank PLC itself. Each conversion eats into something.

Where the conversion happens has an effect on the final amount, as rates and margins differ per bank. Transferring the money directly in EUR usually avoids a second conversion by HSBC Bank PLC.

The EUR rate fluctuates constantly and quotes are often valid only for a short time. For recurring payments, small differences in the rate make a real difference over a year.

How long does an international transfer to HSBC Bank PLC take?

How quickly a payment reaches HSBC Bank PLC depends on several factors: the currency, how many intermediary banks are involved, cut-off times and differences in time zone. Weekends and public holidays in the sending or receiving country add extra days to the journey. Extra checks by one of the banks may also cause some delay, regardless of the details.

A growing number of banks are connected to SWIFT gpi. Each gpi transfer gets a unique reference, the UETR. Specialist transfer services usually provide a status in their app showing how far the payment has got.

Only the sending bank can request a trace or a recall – the recipient’s bank often cannot see a payment that has not arrived. On the receiving end, you can look at your account to see a partial amount because fees can reduce the amount.

Euro transfers to HSBC Bank PLC: is a BIC needed?

Since Ireland is in SEPA, a euro transfer to HSBC Bank PLC from within the SEPA area normally requires just the IBAN. Most banking apps no longer ask for the BIC in that case.

You will still need HSBCIE2DXXX when sending non-euro payments or transfers from countries outside SEPA. If your banking app has a field for the BIC regardless, entering HSBCIE2D does no harm.

Instant euro transfers have become increasingly available within SEPA – whether HSBC Bank PLC offers them for your account is worth checking. As long as no currency is converted, the transfer is cheap.

Changed bank details? Be careful

A common scam goes like this: an email arrives with a message claiming that a supplier has new bank details. The fact that HSBCIE2D exists does not mean that a request mentioning it is legitimate – fraudsters use real bank codes as well.

Check new payment details through a separate channel like a call to a number from an earlier contract, not by replying to the message. Urgency or requests to keep it quiet tend to be red flags; a genuine business can wait for you to check. Already paid? Contact your bank without delay and have them try to recall the payment.

Scams also target the receiver: someone sends too much and wants you to return the extra. A payment confirmation from the sender proves nothing – check your own account.

How to check HSBCIE2D before you pay

The most reliable source for a SWIFT code is the recipient’s own bank details – an invoice, a statement or a screenshot from online banking. Compare it with HSBCIE2D on this page; if they differ, ask before you pay.

An incorrect BIC may lead to delays, a payment being sent back or additional charges along the way. Remember the IBAN: a mistake there is harder to undo than a wrong BIC.

An automatic check in your banking app merely confirms that the code is valid. More and more banks compare the name against the account before you confirm – do not ignore a mismatch warning. For a first payment, some people start with a small test amount and wait for confirmation.