IBAN code

The IBAN number consists of maximum 34 characters and is structured to identify a specific account.  

The IBAN format can vary slightly depending on the country, but in general, it follows the order presented below: 

Country code: The IBAN number begins with a country code, consisting of the first two letters that indicate the country where the account is located. For instance, "GB" represents the United Kingdom, "FR" represents France, and "DE" represents Germany. 

Check digits: To ensure the accuracy of the IBAN number, the following two digits are check digits. These digits are calculated using a mathematical algorithm and serve to detect errors in the account number. 

Bank Identifier: The bank identifier is a series of characters used to identify the specific bank or financial institution where the account is held. The length and format of the bank identifier can differ from country to country. 

Branch code: The branch code is an optional element that helps identify the particular branch of the bank where the account is located. Typically, it consists of four characters, although its length may vary depending on the country. 

Account number: The account number serves as a unique identifier for the specific account within the bank. While it can be up to 30 characters long, the length varies according to the requirements of each country's banking system. 

The last three digits are a combination of the bank, branch, and account numbers which together makes up the Basic Bank Account Number (BBAN). This BBAN serves the purpose of locating a specific financial institution within the system. 

IBAN codes are not used by banks in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and China. Instead, these countries utilise SWIFT codes and routing numbers. IBANs are primarily used in European countries, along with certain regions in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caribbean.