Bank Hapoalim B.m. SWIFT/BIC code

SWIFT/BIC code of Bank Hapoalim B.m.

POALGB21 and POALGB21XXX are two spellings of the same SWIFT/BIC code, and both point to Bank Hapoalim B.m. in London. A SWIFT code shows the banks handling a payment which institution should receive the money, much like a postcode for banks. It comes up mostly for transfers between countries.

On this page we explain what the code is put together, when you need it and which other details you need for a transfer to or from Bank Hapoalim B.m.. Keep in mind that the BIC only identifies the bank, not the account: the account number or IBAN does that part.

What the XXX in POALGB21XXX means

A BIC is made up of fixed blocks: characters one to four identify the bank, characters five and six show the country and the two after that indicate the location. Combined, those parts make up POALGB21.

Many payment forms accept both lengths. If a form requires eleven characters, use POALGB21XXX; if it wants eight, use POALGB21.

In practice the code is written in capitals. A single letter can send the money to a different institution.

Head office or branch code at Bank Hapoalim B.m.?

Our directory lists 2 SWIFT/BIC codes for Bank Hapoalim B.m.. Next to the head office code POALGB21XXX, there are codes for regional offices and specialised units.

If nobody asks you for a branch code, go with POALGB21XXX. Just use a branch code when the recipient explicitly asks for it, for example on an invoice or in their bank details.

The best way is to take the code straight from the account holder’s statement. Codes can change over time, so do not rely on old paperwork.

How up to date is this code?

The directory on GoldexPay is based on publicly available sources. Still, banks merge, rename themselves or change codes and our data may lag behind. The figures we show are based on what is in our directory and not on information from Bank Hapoalim B.m. itself.

Treat our directory here as a handy check. We are an independent comparison service for money transfers and not part of Bank Hapoalim B.m.. Spotted outdated information? Tell us via our contact form so we can correct it.

Sending money abroad from Bank Hapoalim B.m.

What you pay for a payment abroad has more than one component, and the transfer fee is only the most visible one. Besides a fixed fee, correspondent or intermediary banks may take a cut, and when currencies are converted the bank usually applies a rate below the real market rate.

Many banks rarely show their exchange rate markup as a cost. A simple test: set the bank’s rate next to the mid-market rate and look at the difference.

For many routes, a transfer service turns out to be cheaper than a bank. GoldexPay compares the amount that arrives across services. Choosing a specialist does not mean leaving Bank Hapoalim B.m. – you pay the provider from your own account.

Tracking a transfer to or from Bank Hapoalim B.m.

A SWIFT payment typically needs anywhere from one to several business days – it depends on currency, route and the banks in between. Bank holidays in either country can add extra days. Occasionally a bank wants to know about the purpose of a payment.

When a payment takes longer than expected, ask the sending bank about the tracking status and the transaction reference. Money transfer services usually show a status online showing where the payment is.

Only the sending bank can start an official trace – the recipient’s bank often cannot see a payment that has not arrived. Ask the sender for the payment receipt including the reference.

Paying into Bank Hapoalim B.m. in GBP

Most accounts at Bank Hapoalim B.m. are typically held in GBP, the national currency of United Kingdom. Money sent in a different currency is converted into GBP on its way to Bank Hapoalim B.m.. Every conversion costs something.

Who converts the payment makes a difference. In many cases it is cheaper to send GBP straight away via a transfer service with a good rate.

Rates for GBP change all the time, and some providers let you lock in a rate. With bigger transfers, even small gap in the rate can be worth more than the fee.

Paying Bank Hapoalim B.m. in euros within SEPA

Inside SEPA, euro transfers to an account in United Kingdom follow the same rules, so the IBAN does the job in most cases. A field for the BIC is usually optional or missing for those payments.

For anything other than euros and for senders outside SEPA, POALGB21XXX is still part of the payment details. If your banking app asks for the BIC regardless, entering POALGB21 does no harm.

Euro payments within SEPA normally land by the next business day; instant payments are faster if both banks offer them. Provided no currency is converted, the transfer tends to be cheap; costs rise once a conversion is involved.

Getting paid from abroad into a Bank Hapoalim B.m. account

To receive an international payment into your account at Bank Hapoalim B.m., the person paying you has to have more than the SWIFT code. Share the account holder’s name, your account number or IBAN, the BIC POALGB21XXX and your address.

You can add the bank name and its city as well, since some forms ask for it. Check every detail before you share them – a sender rarely spots a mistake in someone else’s details.

Money from abroad will not always arrive for the full amount. Correspondent banks can take a fee, Bank Hapoalim B.m. may charge for incoming payments, and if the currency changes, a markup on the rate comes on top. On invoices, it is common to agree who bears the costs.

Protect yourself against fake payment requests

A common scam works like this: you receive a message claiming that a company has a new bank account and asking you to pay there from now on. A real SWIFT code tells you nothing about who owns the account: scammers use real codes of real banks.

Verify new payment details via a different channel like a call to a number from an earlier contract. Watch out for time pressure, unusual wording or an email address that differs by one letter. Already paid? Contact the bank you paid from straight away and have them start a recall.

Scams can also target the receiver: someone sends too much and asks you to refund the difference via a different route. A screenshot of a transfer is no proof; only your own account shows what has arrived.

Verifying the SWIFT code of Bank Hapoalim B.m.

The most reliable source for the BIC is the bank details provided by the recipient: an invoice, a bank statement or their online banking. If the code you have does not match POALGB21 or POALGB21XXX, do not guess.

An incorrect BIC may lead to a delay, a returned payment or extra fees. An error in the IBAN or account number can be a bigger problem, so check that just as carefully.

Most online banking apps check the structure of IBANs and sometimes look up the BIC automatically – that confirms the format, not the owner. Some banks now compare the name against the account before you confirm. When you pay someone new, many people start with a small test amount before sending the rest.