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

Bank SWIFT codes for United Kingdom

On this page you find codes for 4648 institutions in United Kingdom, 20757 codes in all. You will need such a code mostly for payments across borders.

Each bank is listed with its own page showing the head office code and, where available, branch codes. The rest of this page covers the structure of the codes, what transfers cost and the checks worth doing.

SEPA transfers to United Kingdom

Since United Kingdom is in SEPA, a euro payment to a bank in United Kingdom normally requires just an IBAN. Many banks no longer ask for the BIC for these payments.

A SWIFT code still matter when the currency is not euros and when the money comes from outside SEPA. Instant euro transfers are widely supported within SEPA, though not every bank offers them for every account. Fees are generally low provided no currency is converted.

How long does a transfer to United Kingdom take?

There is no fixed delivery time for payments to United Kingdom: many arrive within a day, others take several business days. Transfers sent late in the day or on weekends and holidays often start a business day later.

If a transfer is late, ask the sender to contact their own bank and ask for the status or the UETR; only the sending side can start an official trace. Money transfer services usually show tracking online so you can follow the payment.

About our data and how to check a code

Ask the recipient to send you the account details directly from a recent statement. A wrong code can cause a delay, a payment being sent back or additional charges – compare it with the code in our list.

We gather SWIFT/BIC codes using publicly available data and check our list regularly. Banks reorganise, close branches and retire codes – a directory can be a step behind. Use this list as a starting point, not as the final word. GoldexPay is a comparison site and not part of any bank listed here.

Scammers often use payment requests with new bank details. Before paying, verify a change of bank details by phone, using a number you already had.

The largest SWIFT network in United Kingdom: HSBC Bank PLC

Among the 4648 institutions we list, HSBC Bank PLC holds the most SWIFT/BIC codes of all banks in United Kingdom. Its head office code is HBUKGB41XXX – the code most transfers need.

How many codes a bank has says more about how it registers branches and services than about its size. Unless the recipient asks for a branch, HBUKGB41XXX is fine for transfers to this bank.

SWIFT codes in United Kingdom: banks under :letter

This page shows only banks in United Kingdom beginning with :letter. The counts in the introduction still refer to the whole country, not just this letter.

Many institutions are listed under their official name, so the letter can differ from what you expect. The complete list is available if the letter filter does not help.

Recognising a SWIFT code from United Kingdom

A BIC is 8 or 11 characters long and the parts always come in the same order. First comes four letters for the bank, then a two-letter country code and two characters for the location.

You can spot a code from United Kingdom by the fifth and sixth characters – those always form the country code of United Kingdom. Codes with other letters in that position come from a bank abroad – a quick way to catch mistakes.

The last three characters, if present, stand for a specific branch; XXX means the head office. Choose a branch code only when the recipient’s bank asks for it – otherwise stick with the head office.

Sending GBP to United Kingdom

The local currency of United Kingdom is the British Pound (GBP). A payment in a foreign currency will be exchanged into GBP on its way to the recipient, and whoever converts it chooses the rate.

Where the conversion happens has an effect on the final amount, since every bank sets its own rate. Compare what GBP arrives with several providers before choosing one. On larger amounts, a seemingly small difference in the rate can be worth more than the fee.

Bank or transfer service for United Kingdom?

If you send money to United Kingdom with your bank, the stated fee is only part of the cost. On top of the fee, correspondent banks can deduct a charge, and when the money is converted the bank usually uses a less favourable rate than the actual market rate.

The markup on the rate is often the biggest part of the cost, even though it is not listed as a fee. A simple test: put the offered rate against the mid-market rate and look at the difference.

For many routes, a transfer service is cheaper than a traditional bank transfer, mainly because of the rate. Before your next transfer to United Kingdom, take a minute to compare what arrives on GoldexPay instead of going straight to your bank.

Receiving money in United Kingdom from abroad

For a transfer from abroad into a United Kingdom account, the person paying you needs not just the SWIFT code. Give them the account holder’s name, the IBAN or account number, the BIC of your bank and your address.

Look up the bank in the list on this page and compare the code with your own bank details – your bank statement is the final word. Certain sending banks may also ask for the name and address of your bank, so keep it at hand.

The amount you receive is often less than the amount sent. Charges on incoming payments differ per bank – your bank’s price list tells you what applies. On invoices, state who bears the costs.