Sort code: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
BENNYSOFT (talk | contribs)
Undid revision 164018151 by 87.176.253.165 (talk) - link spam
Reformat article, add headings and subheadings.
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Unreferenced|date=July 2007}}
{{Unreferenced|date=July 2007}}
A sort code is a number which is assigned to a branch of a bank for internal purposes. Banks use sort codes as it is easier than writing the full address of the branch out and it tells customers which branch they are at.
A sort code is a number which is assigned to a branch of a bank for internal purposes. Banks use sort codes as it is easier than writing the full address of the branch out and it tells customers which branch they are at.

In the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Ireland]], the numbers are six digits long, usually formatted into pairs separated by hyphens (e.g. 12-34-56). In Germany, these numbers (called "BLZ", for "Bankleitzahl", meaning "bank routing numbers") are eight digits long, normally formatted 3-3-2 (e.g. 100 200 30). In Canada, the bank transit number is 8 digits long. This is divided into a 5 digit branch number and 3 digit institution code, for example 10000-200. In Australia, the BSB number is 6 digits long; two groups of three numbers (eg. 100-200). In Sweden, the number is four digits long(e.g. 1234), or, in the case of some accounts at the bank Swedbank, they are five digits in length (e.g. 1234-5) and precede the bank account number for interbanking purposes, with a hyphen added after the fourth digit.


Some branches contain sub/child branches which will be identified by the parent sort code rather than a unique one.
Some branches contain sub/child branches which will be identified by the parent sort code rather than a unique one.


Most banks print the sort code of a customer's initial branch on [[debit card]]s or [[cheque]] books. 18-digit debit card numbers may include the sort code between the initial four-digit card type and final eight-digit account number.
Most banks print the sort code of a customer's initial branch on [[debit card]]s or [[cheque]] books. 18-digit debit card numbers may include the sort code between the initial four-digit card type and final eight-digit account number.

== Usage in different countries ==

=== [[United Kingdom]] and [[Ireland]] ===
The numbers are six digits long, usually formatted into pairs separated by hyphens (e.g. 12-34-56).

=== Germany ===

These numbers (called '''"BLZ"''', for '''"Bankleitzahl"''', meaning "bank routing numbers") are eight digits long, normally formatted 3-3-2 (e.g. 100 200 30).

=== Canada ===

The '''bank transit number''' is 8 digits long. This is divided into a 5 digit branch number and 3 digit institution code, for example 10000-200.

=== Australia ===

The '''BSB''' number is 6 digits long; two groups of three numbers (eg. 100-200).

=== Sweden ===

The number is four digits long(e.g. 1234), or, in the case of some accounts at the bank Swedbank, they are five digits in length (e.g. 1234-5) and precede the bank account number for interbanking purposes, with a hyphen added after the fourth digit.



==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 08:43, 23 October 2007

A sort code is a number which is assigned to a branch of a bank for internal purposes. Banks use sort codes as it is easier than writing the full address of the branch out and it tells customers which branch they are at.

Some branches contain sub/child branches which will be identified by the parent sort code rather than a unique one.

Most banks print the sort code of a customer's initial branch on debit cards or cheque books. 18-digit debit card numbers may include the sort code between the initial four-digit card type and final eight-digit account number.

Usage in different countries

United Kingdom and Ireland

The numbers are six digits long, usually formatted into pairs separated by hyphens (e.g. 12-34-56).

Germany

These numbers (called "BLZ", for "Bankleitzahl", meaning "bank routing numbers") are eight digits long, normally formatted 3-3-2 (e.g. 100 200 30).

Canada

The bank transit number is 8 digits long. This is divided into a 5 digit branch number and 3 digit institution code, for example 10000-200.

Australia

The BSB number is 6 digits long; two groups of three numbers (eg. 100-200).

Sweden

The number is four digits long(e.g. 1234), or, in the case of some accounts at the bank Swedbank, they are five digits in length (e.g. 1234-5) and precede the bank account number for interbanking purposes, with a hyphen added after the fourth digit.


See also

External links