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

Bank SWIFT codes for United Kingdom

In United Kingdom our database holds 20757 SWIFT/BIC codes, spread over 4648 banks. Every code points to a bank or one of its branches.

Every bank is listed with its own page showing the head office code and if there are any, codes for branches and departments. The sections below covers how the codes work, the cost of transfers and how to avoid mistakes.

Verifying a SWIFT code from United Kingdom

Have the recipient send you the account details straight from their online banking. When the code you were given does not match our list, stop and ask.

This list is compiled from publicly available sources that we update periodically. Still, banks merge or retire codes. For any payment that matters, confirm the code with the recipient’s bank. GoldexPay is not a bank and is not affiliated with the banks listed.

Watch out for payment requests with a new account, especially when they come by email. Before paying, verify a change of bank details through a separate channel on a number you know.

United Kingdom and the SEPA area

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

You still need a SWIFT code for payments in other currencies or transfers from countries outside SEPA. SEPA transfers normally land by the next business day or faster with instant payments. Fees are generally low as long as everything stays in euros.

SWIFT codes in United Kingdom: banks under :letter

This page shows only banks in United Kingdom whose name starts with :letter in alphabetical order. The figures for United Kingdom mentioned here cover all 4648 banks, not just the ones under :letter.

If a bank does not appear under :letter, check the full list – the registered name can differ from the name people use. The complete list remains available if the letter filter does not help.

The structure of a United Kingdom SWIFT/BIC code

A BIC is either 8 or 11 characters long and the parts always come in the same order. Characters one to four stand for the bank, characters five and six are the country code and the next two mark the location.

No matter which bank, every code from United Kingdom have the same fifth and sixth letters, namely the ISO code of United Kingdom. If those two letters point to another country, the code belongs to a bank in another country.

The long version ends in three characters for a branch, where XXX means the head office. For most transfers the head office code is fine unless the recipient asks for a specific branch.

The largest SWIFT network in United Kingdom: HSBC Bank PLC

HSBC Bank PLC leads our list of United Kingdom banks in the number of SWIFT/BIC 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 how big it is. Making a payment to HSBC Bank PLC? Go with HBUKGB41XXX except when the recipient gives you a branch code.

When does money sent to United Kingdom arrive?

How fast a payment reaches United Kingdom depends on a few things: which currency you send, how many intermediary banks are involved, cut-off times and time zones. Bank holidays in either country add a day or more.

If the money seems delayed, ask the sender to contact their own bank and ask for the status or the UETR. Keep the payment confirmation until the money has arrived; a bank needs it to start a trace.

Bank or transfer service for United Kingdom?

What you pay for a payment to United Kingdom has several parts. On top of the fee, correspondent banks can take a cut and, if currencies are converted, the bank often uses a rate below the real market rate.

The real cost is often in the rate, rather than in the fee – the bank builds a margin into its rate. An easy check: put the rate you get next to the mid-market rate and look at the difference.

For a lot of currency pairs, a transfer service turns out to be less expensive than a bank. GoldexPay compares transfer services side by side so you can see the amount that reaches the recipient.

Receiving money in United Kingdom from abroad

Someone abroad who wants to pay you will ask for a few details about your account. Give them the account holder’s name, the IBAN or account number, your bank’s SWIFT code and your address, which some banks require.

The code of your bank is in the list on this page, yet the version on your own statement or in your banking app is leading. You can include the name and city of your bank, since some payment forms ask for it.

Expect that the incoming amount is below what the sender paid. Intermediary banks may deduct a fee, your bank may charge for incoming payments, and if the money is converted, an exchange rate margin comes on top. Agree with the sender who pays which costs, especially for larger amounts.

Paying in GBP: what conversion costs you

The local currency in United Kingdom is the British Pound (GBP). A payment in a foreign currency is converted into GBP – and the bank that does it picks the rate.

Who does the conversion has an effect on how much arrives. Often it is cheaper to send GBP straight away through a transfer service with a good rate so the receiving bank does not need to convert again. Exchange rates move during the day.