HSBC Bank Polska S.A. SWIFT/BIC code

HSBCPLPS – the SWIFT/BIC code of HSBC Bank Polska S.A.

The 8-character code HSBCPLPS and the full code HSBCPLPSXXX identify one and the same institution: HSBC Bank Polska S.A.. A SWIFT code tells every bank in the chain exactly which bank is meant to get the money, a bit like a postal address for banks. It comes up mostly for transfers between countries.

We wrote this page to help people who receives money at an account at HSBC Bank Polska S.A.. The BIC names an institution, not a specific account.

SEPA payments and the HSBC Bank Polska S.A. BIC

Because Poland is part of SEPA, a euro transfer to HSBC Bank Polska S.A. from another SEPA country usually only needs the IBAN. Many banks no longer ask for the BIC in that case or fill it in for you.

For anything other than euros and from non-SEPA countries, HSBCPLPSXXX or HSBCPLPS is still required. Some forms also ask for the BIC out of habit; in that case, enter HSBCPLPS.

SEPA transfers normally land within one business day. Fees for SEPA transfers are generally low.

A note on our data

The details here come from publicly available data that we update regularly. It is possible that a code on this page is out of date, for example after a merger. The number of codes on this page reflect our own data.

Treat our data as a reference, not as the final word. We are an independent comparison service for money transfers and not part of HSBC Bank Polska S.A.. Should you notice something that is out of date, we welcome a message.

How long does an international transfer to HSBC Bank Polska S.A. take?

How quickly a payment reaches HSBC Bank Polska S.A. is determined by several factors: the currency, the number of banks in between, daily processing deadlines and differences in time zone. Payments made after the cut-off time or just before a weekend or public holiday often start the next business day. Sometimes a bank asks what the payment is for, which can hold things up.

If the money seems delayed, contact the sending bank for the status; with that reference banks can see where the payment is. Money transfer services usually show a status in their app showing how far the money has got.

A delayed transfer has to be investigated by the sending bank. Request from the sender the payment receipt including the reference; that often settles the question quickly.

Protect yourself against fake payment requests

Stay wary if someone suddenly asks you to pay into a different account. That HSBCPLPS is a real code does not mean that the account is legitimate.

Do not rely on contact details in the same message that announces the new account. Pressure or requests to keep it quiet tend to be warning signs; a genuine business can wait for you to check. When money was sent to the wrong account, call your bank right away.

People receiving money can be targeted as well: a classic trick is a buyer who pays too much and then sends a request to refund the difference abroad. A screenshot of a transfer proves nothing; only your own account shows what has arrived.

How to check HSBCPLPS before you pay

Ask the recipient to send you the account details straight from a recent statement. If the code you have differs from HSBCPLPS or HSBCPLPSXXX, do not guess: check with the recipient or with HSBC Bank Polska S.A. directly.

Errors in the BIC tend to be annoying more than disastrous. Remember the account number: an error there is harder to correct than a wrong code.

A format check by your bank only tells you that the IBAN is valid, not that it is the right account. Where available, a name check before sending gives an extra layer of safety. For a first payment, some people start with a small test amount.

Paying into HSBC Bank Polska S.A. in PLN

Accounts at HSBC Bank Polska S.A. are usually held in PLN, the local currency. Money sent in a different currency is converted into PLN on its way to HSBC Bank Polska S.A.. Every conversion costs something, even when no fee is shown.

Who converts the payment makes a difference. Often you pay less to send PLN straight away via a provider that converts near the mid-market rate.

Rates for PLN change all the time. For regular payments, a slightly better rate make a real difference over a year.

Incoming international payments to HSBC Bank Polska S.A.

If you are waiting for money from abroad, send the payer everything they need in one go. Share the account holder’s name, your account number or IBAN, SWIFT code HSBCPLPSXXX and your address, which some banks require.

Some banks also ask for the address of HSBC Bank Polska S.A. in Warszawa; it does no harm to include it. Double-check every detail before you send them.

Expect that the amount credited is below what the sender paid. Charges on incoming payments vary from bank to bank. Agree with the sender who pays which costs before the money is sent.

HSBCPLPS or HSBCPLPSXXX – which one to use?

Each SWIFT/BIC code has an 8-character core: a four-letter bank code, a two-letter country code and two characters for the location. The result is HSBCPLPS, the short form of the code.

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, which is why HSBCPLPSXXX and HSBCPLPS lead to the same place.

As a rule the code is typed in capitals, without spaces or dashes. A wrong character may route a payment to a different institution.

HSBC Bank Polska S.A.: head office code versus branch codes

We have 2 SWIFT/BIC codes for HSBC Bank Polska S.A.. Next to the head office code HSBCPLPSXXX, there are codes for individual branches and departments.

For most payments to a private or business account, the head office code HSBCPLPSXXX is what you need. Branch codes are only needed if the account holder explicitly mentions it, which is more common for corporate accounts and specialised services.

Unsure which code to use? Check with the recipient. Branch codes can change over time.

International transfers from HSBC Bank Polska S.A.: the real cost

An international bank payment costs more than the listed fee. There is the fee for the transfer itself, possibly charges from correspondent banks along the way and, above all, the margin on the exchange rate if the currency changes.

Most of the cost usually sits in the exchange rate, rather than in the fee: many banks convert at a rate that includes a margin. A simple test: put the bank’s rate next to the mid-market rate and work out the difference on your amount.

For a lot of currency pairs, a specialist provider is cheaper than a bank. Before your next transfer, it is worth comparing the total cost via GoldexPay. You can still keep your account at HSBC Bank Polska S.A. to fund the transfer; only the conversion and sending happen elsewhere.