Bank Identification Number

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The Bank Identification Number ( BIN ) is used to identify credit and debit cards when routing within ATM networks. The BIN can be used to identify the card type used and the card issuer (a bank). Although a BIN is internationally valid, other bank identification numbers are used for international transfers: The international bank account number (IBAN) and the SWIFT code . The reasons for this are obvious: transfers are always linked to accounts, but not necessarily linked to a card. In addition, banks usually have several BIN codes, one for each card type offered.

The exact structure of the bank identification number is described in the ISO 7812 standard. Another name for BIN codes is Issuer Identification Number (IIN). The BIN is the first 6 digits of the 16-digit credit card number. With EC / Maestro cards, things are a little more difficult. Some banks sometimes print the BIN on the back of their cards in addition to the bank code . Otherwise, only a search on the Internet or an inquiry with the relevant bank will help.

The American Banking Association is the central registry for BIN codes. However, it does not make its list of all BINs available to the public. There are now quite good alternative lists and BIN search engines.

Web links

BinDB LLC - Bin Database (English)