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

United Kingdom: banks and their SWIFT/BIC codes

Our directory lists 4648 banks and other institutions in United Kingdom. A BIC tells every bank in the chain which institution is meant to get the money.

Search for the recipient’s bank in the list and click through for the full list of codes and what else a transfer requires. The sections below covers how the codes work, the cost of transfers and the checks worth doing before a payment.

Verifying a SWIFT code from United Kingdom

The most reliable source for the BIC is the bank details provided by the recipient. A wrong code may lead to a delay, a payment being sent back or additional charges, so compare it with the list on this page.

We collect bank codes from publicly available data and check them from time to time. Still, banks merge or retire codes. Treat our data as a starting point; the recipient’s bank details are leading. GoldexPay is a comparison service.

Be wary of payment requests containing a new account, especially when they come by email. Before paying, confirm a change of bank details through a separate channel on a number you know.

Filter: banks in United Kingdom with :letter

This filter limits the list down to banks in United Kingdom starting with :letter to make searching quicker. The counts in the introduction always cover all banks in United Kingdom.

If a bank is missing here, check another letter – the registered name can differ from the name people use. The full overview for United Kingdom remains available if the letter filter does not help.

Getting paid from abroad into an account in United Kingdom

Someone abroad who wants to pay you will ask for a few details from you – incomplete details often cause delays. In practice that means: your name as your bank knows it, your IBAN or account number, the BIC of your bank and usually your postal address.

Your bank’s code appears in our list, yet the version on your own statement or in your banking app is leading. Some banks also want the name and address of your bank.

Do not be surprised if the incoming amount is below what the sender paid. Charges on incoming payments vary from bank to bank; check the price list of your bank. Make clear with the sender who pays which costs before the money is sent.

How long does a transfer to United Kingdom take?

How fast money arrives in United Kingdom depends on several factors: the currency, the number of banks in between, daily processing deadlines and differences in time zone. Bank holidays in either country can add extra days, because banks do not process payments on those days.

When a payment takes longer than expected, the sender should contact their own bank and ask for the status or the UETR. Keep the payment confirmation until the recipient confirms – you will need it if something goes wrong.

The largest SWIFT network in United Kingdom: HSBC Bank PLC

Of the 4648 banks in United Kingdom, HSBC Bank PLC has the largest number of codes. Its head office code is HBUKGB41XXX – the code most transfers need.

How many codes a bank has tells you something 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.

The British Pound (GBP) and conversion costs

Most accounts in United Kingdom are typically held in GBP – the British Pound. Money sent in a different currency will be exchanged into GBP on its way to the recipient, and whoever converts it chooses the rate.

Which bank converts the payment makes a difference. Check what GBP arrives via different services. Rates for GBP move during the day.

Paying in euros to United Kingdom

Because United Kingdom is part of the SEPA zone, a euro payment to an account in United Kingdom normally only needs an IBAN. Many banks no longer ask for the BIC in that case.

You will still need the BIC for payments in other currencies or transfers from countries outside SEPA. SEPA transfers usually arrive by the next business day or faster with instant payments. As long as the payment stays in euros, the transfer is usually cheap.

The cheapest way to send money to United Kingdom

An international bank payment to United Kingdom often costs more than you think. On top of the fee, intermediary banks can take a cut and, if currencies are converted, the bank often applies a rate below the actual market rate.

The markup on the rate is often the largest part of the cost, even though it is not listed as a fee. An easy check: put the rate you get against the mid-market rate and work out the difference on your amount.

For many routes, a transfer service turns out to be less expensive than a bank. On GoldexPay we compare the amount that arrives in United Kingdom across services, so you can pick the cheapest route.

Recognising a SWIFT code from United Kingdom

Each SWIFT/BIC code consists of 8 or 11 characters in a fixed order. First comes four letters for the bank, then two letters for the country and two characters for the location.

Whatever the bank, every code from United Kingdom share the same country code in positions five and six, namely the ISO code of United Kingdom. A code with a different country code belong to another country – a quick way to catch mistakes.

The long version adds a branch code, where XXX means the head office. Use a branch code only when the recipient explicitly gives you one; otherwise the head office code is the safe choice.