BNP Paribas London Branch SWIFT/BIC code

BNPAGB22 – the SWIFT/BIC code of BNP Paribas London Branch

The 8-character code BNPAGB22 and the 11-character code BNPAGB22XXX identify the same bank: BNP Paribas London Branch in London, United Kingdom. The code does one job: it ensures that a cross-border transfer ends up at the right bank. In practice you usually see the code on invoices from abroad, in payment forms and on the account details that BNP Paribas London Branch provides.

On this page we explain what the code is put together, when it matters and which other details a transfer to or from BNP Paribas London Branch requires. Keep in mind that the BIC just identifies the bank, not the account: the account number or IBAN does that part.

8 or 11 characters: BNPAGB22 versus BNPAGB22XXX

Every SWIFT/BIC code has the same eight core characters: a four-letter bank code, two letters for the country and two characters for the location. In this case, the 8-character core is BNPAGB22.

Most banks and apps accept either length. If a form requires eleven characters, enter BNPAGB22XXX.

Type the code as one block, in upper case and without separators. A wrong character may route a payment to another bank, so check it twice.

Paying BNP Paribas London Branch in euros within SEPA

United Kingdom is a member of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). When you send euros within SEPA, the IBAN is usually enough.

You still need BNPAGB22XXX when sending payments in other currencies or money from outside the SEPA area. A few forms still ask for the BIC; in that case, enter BNPAGB22 or BNPAGB22XXX.

SEPA transfers usually arrive by the next business day; instant payments are faster if both banks offer them. Charges on SEPA payments tend to be low as long as everything stays in euros.

British Pound (GBP) and conversion costs

The local currency of United Kingdom is the British Pound (GBP). A payment in a foreign currency will be exchanged into GBP before it reaches the account – and the bank that does it picks the rate. You rarely see a separate line for the conversion.

Who converts the payment matters: every bank has its own margin. Compare what GBP arrives via different services; the difference between options can be larger than you expect.

Rates for GBP move all the time – some services let you fix a rate in advance. With bigger transfers, a small gap in the rate can be worth more than the fee.

Scams that use SWIFT codes

One of the most common tricks works like this: an email arrives with a message claiming that a supplier has a new bank account. A correct SWIFT code tells you nothing about who owns the account.

Do not trust a phone number from the same email that announces the change. Watch out for time pressure, unusual wording or a sender address that is slightly off. Already paid? Contact your bank without delay and ask them to try to recall the payment.

Recipients are targeted too: a classic trick is a buyer who pays too much followed by a request to send back the difference to another account. A screenshot of a transfer is no proof.

How to check BNPAGB22 before you pay

Have the recipient send you the bank details directly from their online banking. Compare it with BNPAGB22 here; if they differ, ask before you pay.

Errors in the SWIFT code are costly rather than fatal. An error in the IBAN or account number is more serious, because the money may be credited to someone else.

A validity check in your banking app only confirms that the IBAN exists. Some banks now check the name with the account before you confirm; take any warning seriously. Sending a small amount first is worth it for a large first payment, even if it costs an extra fee.

What to give a sender who pays you at BNP Paribas London Branch

A sender in another country will ask for several details from you, and missing ones are a common cause of delays. Give them your name as the bank knows it, the IBAN or account number, SWIFT code BNPAGB22XXX and your address.

Certain banks also ask for the address of BNP Paribas London Branch. A mistake in your account number can be more trouble than it looks; copy them from your banking app rather than typing.

The amount you receive can be lower than the amount sent. Charges on incoming payments vary from bank to bank. Agree with the sender who covers the fees, especially for larger amounts.

Choosing between the 8 SWIFT codes of BNP Paribas London Branch

We have 8 SWIFT/BIC codes for BNP Paribas London Branch, spread over 1 locations. Besides the head office code BNPAGB22XXX, there are codes for branches, departments or specific services.

Unless the recipient tells you otherwise, use BNPAGB22XXX. When you receive a specific code, use it as it is rather than swapping it with the head office code.

Not sure which code applies? Check with the recipient, or look at a recent statement from BNP Paribas London Branch. Branch codes can change over time, so a code from an old document is not always valid.

A note on our data

The codes here come from publicly available data. Banks merge, close branches and retire codes. Figures such as the number of codes come from our own dataset and are not confirmed by BNP Paribas London Branch.

See our directory on this page as a handy check, and let the details from the recipient or BNP Paribas London Branch have the final say. We are an independent comparison site and not affiliated with BNP Paribas London Branch. If you notice a mistake, we welcome a message.

What a transfer from BNP Paribas London Branch abroad really costs

An international bank payment can cost more than the fee suggests. On top of a fixed fee, correspondent or intermediary banks can take a cut, and if the money changes currency the bank often applies a rate below the real market rate.

Most of the cost usually sits in the exchange rate, not in the fee: the bank converts using an exchange rate with a margin built in. A simple test: put the bank’s rate against the mid-market rate and work out the difference on your amount.

For a lot of currency pairs, a specialist provider turns out to be cheaper than a traditional bank transfer. GoldexPay lists transfer providers next to each other so you can see what actually arrives for the same amount sent. You can still use your account at BNP Paribas London Branch as the source of the money; only the conversion and sending happen elsewhere.

How long does an international transfer to BNP Paribas London Branch take?

A SWIFT payment typically takes anywhere from one to several business days. Payments made late in the day or on a weekend or public holiday usually go out a business day later. Occasionally a bank asks what the payment is for.

If a transfer is delayed, contact the sending bank for the status or the UETR. Keep your transfer receipt until the recipient confirms.

The bank that sent the money can start an official trace – the recipient’s bank often cannot see a payment that has not arrived. Request from the sender the payment receipt; that often settles the question quickly.