Mizuho International PLC SWIFT/BIC code

What IBJIGB2L means for a payment to Mizuho International PLC

The 8-character code IBJIGB2L and the 11-character code IBJIGB2LXXX refer to the same bank: Mizuho International PLC in London, United Kingdom. A BIC does one job: it ensures that a cross-border transfer reaches the right bank. It comes up mostly for payments that cross a border.

This page is meant to help people who receives money at an account at Mizuho International PLC without mistakes. Keep in mind that the BIC just identifies the bank, not the account: the account number or IBAN takes care of that.

Getting paid from abroad into a Mizuho International PLC account

For an international payment at Mizuho International PLC, the person paying you needs more than the SWIFT code. That means: your full name exactly as it appears on the account, your IBAN or account number, the SWIFT/BIC code IBJIGB2LXXX and sometimes your address.

It helps to include the bank name and its city as well. Double-check the details before you share them – a sender rarely spots a mistake in someone else’s details.

Do not be surprised if the amount credited is smaller than what the sender paid. Charges on incoming payments differ per bank. Make clear with the sender who pays which costs before the money is sent.

Why Mizuho International PLC has an 8- and an 11-character code

Each SWIFT/BIC code starts with an 8-character core: a four-letter bank code, a two-letter country code and a two-character location code. The result is IBJIGB2L.

XXX at the end of IBJIGB2LXXX does not stand for a missing value or an error: it indicates the head office of Mizuho International PLC. Some banking apps insist on 11 characters, in which case you simply enter XXX after IBJIGB2L.

In practice the code is written in capitals, without spaces or dashes. A wrong letter can send a payment to a different institution, so check it twice.

Protect yourself against fake payment requests

Criminals often send fake invoices containing new bank details. The fact that IBJIGB2L exists does not mean that the account is legitimate; criminals use the codes of real banks too.

Check new bank details through a separate channel like a call to a number from an earlier contract. Be suspicious of time pressure, unusual wording or a sender address that is slightly off. Already paid? Contact the bank you paid from straight away and ask them to try to recall the payment.

Fraud also target the receiver: someone claims to have sent more than agreed and asks you to return the extra to a new account. Do not act before the money has really arrived – ask Mizuho International PLC if something looks wrong.

What a transfer from Mizuho International PLC abroad really costs

The price of an international transfer is made up of more than one component – not just the fee on your screen. There is the fee for the transfer itself, possibly charges from correspondent banks along the way and, above all, the exchange rate markup.

The markup on the rate is often the biggest item, and it is easy to miss. An easy check: put the bank’s rate next to the mid-market rate and work out the difference on your amount.

For a lot of routes, a transfer service is less expensive than a bank – mostly thanks to the rate. Next time you send money, it is worth to compare what arrives on GoldexPay. Using a transfer service does not mean closing your account at Mizuho International PLC.

How long does an international transfer to Mizuho International PLC take?

An international transfer usually takes anywhere from one to several business days – it depends on currency, route and the banks in between. Bank holidays in either country add extra days to the journey. Sometimes a bank asks about the purpose of a payment, which can hold things up.

Many banks use SWIFT gpi, which lets them follow a payment from bank to bank. Every gpi transfer gets a unique reference, the UETR, which your bank can use to see where the money is. Specialist transfer services often provide a status online showing how far the money is.

A missing payment has to be traced by the sending bank, using the payment confirmation. On the receiving end, you can check your account for a slightly lower amount.

Mizuho International PLC: head office code versus branch codes

Mizuho International PLC has 4 different SWIFT/BIC codes. Only one is the head office code; the rest belong to branches, and sometimes internal departments.

In most cases you do not need to pick a branch: payments addressed to IBJIGB2LXXX reach Mizuho International PLC without problems. Branch codes are only needed if the recipient’s bank explicitly mentions it, which is more common for corporate accounts and trade services.

Not sure which code applies? Check with the recipient. Codes for branches are more prone to change than the head office code when a bank merges or closes offices.

Do you need IBJIGB2L for a SEPA transfer?

United Kingdom is part of the SEPA area, where euro transfers follow common rules. For a standard euro transfer from another SEPA country, the IBAN is usually enough and the BIC is often filled in automatically.

Outside the euro and for senders outside SEPA, IBJIGB2LXXX remains required. Some banks and apps also ask for the BIC out of habit; in that case, fill in IBJIGB2L.

SEPA transfers normally land by the next business day; instant payments are faster if both banks offer them. Charges on SEPA transfers are generally low.

Is IBJIGB2L still correct? How to check

The best place to find the right code is paperwork issued by the bank. Compare that code with IBJIGB2L on this page; if they differ, ask before you pay.

With a wrong code, the transfer may be delayed, bounce back or end up costing more. Do not forget the IBAN: an error there is harder to correct than a wrong code.

A validity check by your bank merely tells you that the code is valid – not that it belongs to the person you mean to pay. Some banks now check the name with the account. When you pay someone new, some people start with a small amount first and wait for confirmation.

Paying into Mizuho International PLC in GBP

Most accounts at Mizuho International PLC are typically held in GBP, the national currency of United Kingdom. A payment in a foreign currency will be converted into GBP – and the bank that does it picks the rate. Every conversion eats into the amount.

Who does the conversion has an effect on the final amount. Often it is cheaper if you send GBP straight away through a transfer service that converts near the mid-market rate, so that the receiving bank does not need to convert again.

Exchange rates move all the time, and some providers let you lock in a rate. With bigger transfers, even small difference in the rate adds up quickly.

A note on our data

The directory on GoldexPay draws on publicly available sources. Institutions reorganise, close branches and change codes – a directory can be a step behind. The number of codes on this page are based on our own data, not official figures from Mizuho International PLC.

See the information on this page as a helpful check. We are an independent comparison service and not affiliated with Mizuho International PLC. Spotted outdated information? Tell us through the contact page.