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Swift sort codes are a crucial part of sending and receiving money in the UK. They're typically 8 digits long and used to identify specific banks.
Each swift sort code is unique and associated with a specific bank or building society. The first two digits indicate the bank's country code, while the next two digits identify the bank itself.
The remaining four digits are specific to the branch or location within the bank. This ensures that transactions are directed to the correct account.
What Is Swift Code?
A SWIFT Code is a standard format of Bank Identifier Code (BIC) used to specify a particular bank or branch.
It's used for international wire transfers and exchanging messages between banks.
A SWIFT Code comprises of 8 or 11 characters, with all 11 digit codes referring to specific branches.
The format of a SWIFT Code is AAAABBCCDDD, where:
- First 4 characters - bank code (only letters)
- Next 2 characters - ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code (only letters)
- Next 2 characters - location code, passive participant will have "1" in the second character (letters and digits)
- Last 3 characters - branch code, optional - 'XXX' for primary office (letters and digits)
Here's a breakdown of what each part of the SWIFT Code means:
Understanding Swift Code Types
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SWIFT codes can be either 8 or 11 characters long.
A SWIFT code that is 11 digits long refers to a specific branch.
The 8 digit codes or those ending in 'XXX' refer to the head or primary office of a bank.
The format of a SWIFT code is AAAABBCCDDD.
Here's a breakdown of what each part of the code represents:
- First 4 characters - bank code (only letters)
- Next 2 characters - ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code (only letters)
- Next 2 characters - location code, passive participant will have "1" in the second character (letters and digits)
- Last 3 characters - branch code, optional - 'XXX' for primary office (letters and digits)
Swift Code Details
The Swift Code Details are quite interesting. The Swift Code SVBKGB2L is assigned to Silicon Valley Bank. The bank is located in the United Kingdom, specifically in London.
The bank's address is 41 Lothbury, with a postcode of EC2R 7HF. The Swift Code format consists of 11 characters, divided into four parts: Bank Code, Country Code, Location Code, and Branch Code.
Here's a breakdown of the Swift Code format:
The bank's branch is not specified in the provided details, so it's not possible to determine the exact branch location.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sort code for Silicon Valley Bank UK?
The sort code for Silicon Valley Bank UK is 621000. This is the code used for bank transfers and payments in the UK.
Is my SWIFT code my sort code?
No, your SWIFT code and sort code are not the same. A SWIFT code is longer and includes letters, while a sort code is shorter and consists of only six digits.
Sources
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