Sort Code
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In the UK and Ireland, Sort Codes (Germany/Austria: Bankleitzahl (BLZ); Switzerland: Bankenclearing-Nummer (BC-Nummer); Australia: Bank-State-Branch (BSB); Canada Transit Code; Sweden: Clearingnummer: are a unique identifier to the particular office (branch) of a bank which holds bank accounts.
In the United Kingdom and in Ireland, the numbers are six digits, usually formatted into pairs separated by hyphens (e.g. 12-34-56). In Germany, the numbers are eight digits, usually formatted as 3-3-2 (e.g. 100 200 30). In Canada, the bank transit number is 8 digits. 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, two groups of three numbers (eg. 100-200). In Sweden, the number is four (e.g. 1234), or in the case of some accounts at the bank Swedbank, five (e.g. 1234-5), digits in length 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.
Most banks print the sort-code of your initial branch on your debit card or cheque book. 18-digit debit card numbers may include the six-digit sort-code between the initial four-digit card type and final eight-digit account number.
A variety of reference guides exist including your own bank who should be able to look up the information for you if necessary.
