SWIFT/BIC codes in United Kingdom: banks starting with B

Bank SWIFT codes for United Kingdom

On this page you find codes for 4648 banks in United Kingdom – 20757 codes altogether. You will need a SWIFT/BIC code mainly when making international transfers and for payments in a foreign currency.

Each bank has its own page with the head office code and if there are any, branch codes. The rest of this page explain how the codes work, what transfers cost and the checks worth doing.

When does money sent to United Kingdom arrive?

A SWIFT payment to United Kingdom typically needs one to a few business days – it depends on currency, route and the banks in between. Bank holidays in United Kingdom or in the sending country can add a day or more to the journey.

Many banks use SWIFT gpi for faster and traceable payments. Each gpi transfer gets a unique reference, the UETR, which the sending bank can use to trace it. Specialist transfer services usually provide a status in their app.

How SWIFT codes from United Kingdom are built

Each SWIFT/BIC code has 8 or 11 characters. First comes a four-letter bank code, then two letters for the country and a two-character location code.

No matter which bank, every code from United Kingdom have the same fifth and sixth letters: the ISO code of the country. Codes with other letters in that position come from a bank abroad.

An 11-character code ends in a branch code, where XXX means the head office. For most transfers the head office code is fine unless the recipient asks for a specific branch.

The largest SWIFT network in United Kingdom: HSBC Bank PLC

HSBC Bank PLC leads the list for United Kingdom when it comes to SWIFT/BIC codes. Its main office has HBUKGB41XXX; that is usually the right code for a transfer.

A large number of codes usually means that the bank registers branches and departments separately – it says nothing about the size of the bank as such. Unless a branch code is given, HBUKGB41XXX is fine for transfers to this bank.

Getting paid from abroad into an account in United Kingdom

For an international payment into a United Kingdom account, the sender needs more than the BIC. In practice that means: your name exactly as it appears on the account, your IBAN or account number, the SWIFT/BIC code of your bank and usually your address.

Your bank’s code appears in the list on this page. Some sending banks may also want the name and address of your bank; it does no harm to include it.

The amount you receive is often less than what was sent. Correspondent banks can take a fee, your bank may charge for incoming payments, and if the money is converted, an exchange rate margin applies. On invoices, agree who bears the costs.

Bank or transfer service for United Kingdom?

What you pay for a payment to United Kingdom is made up of several parts, and the fee on your screen is only one of them. You pay a transfer fee, sometimes fees from correspondent banks and, above all, the margin on the exchange rate.

The real cost is often in the rate, rather than in the fee: banks convert at a rate with a margin built in. A simple test: set the rate you get against the mid-market rate and look at the difference.

For many routes, a transfer service is less expensive than a traditional bank transfer, mainly because of the rate. On GoldexPay we compare what recipients in United Kingdom receive with different providers, so you can pick the cheapest route.

Sending GBP to United Kingdom

Most accounts in United Kingdom are typically held in GBP. Money sent in a different currency is converted into GBP on its way to the recipient.

Which bank converts the payment makes a difference: every bank has its own margin. Often it is cheaper to send GBP straight away via a transfer service with a good rate. Rates for GBP change all the time.

Verifying a SWIFT code from United Kingdom

The best place to find the correct BIC remains paperwork issued by the bank. A wrong code can cause a delay, a returned payment or additional charges.

Our SWIFT/BIC directory is based on publicly available sources that we update periodically. Banks merge, close branches and change codes – a directory can be a step behind. Use our data as a starting point; the recipient’s bank details are leading. GoldexPay is an independent comparison service for money transfers and not part of any bank listed here.

Scammers often send payment requests with new bank details from what looks like a familiar address. Always verify changed details by phone.

Banks in United Kingdom beginning with the letter :letter

The letter filter limits the list down to banks from United Kingdom that begin with :letter, so you can find a bank faster. The figures for United Kingdom mentioned here cover all 4648 banks.

Cannot find the bank? The registered name may start with a different letter, for example the full legal name rather than a brand name. The complete list remains one click away when you cannot find the bank here.

Paying in euros to United Kingdom

Inside SEPA, euro payments to United Kingdom use common rules. The BIC field is often optional in that case.

You will still need the BIC when sending payments in other currencies or transfers from countries outside SEPA. Instant payments in euros are increasingly available within SEPA – check whether your bank supports them. As long as the payment stays in euros, the transfer is usually cheap.