IBAN & SEPA
International Bank Account Number
An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is a standardized code used to identify bank accounts across national borders. Defined by ISO 13616, it combines a country code, two check digits, and a domestic bank account number (BBAN) into a single string. Over 80 countries use the IBAN system, and it is mandatory for all SEPA transfers within Europe.
An IBAN always starts with a two-letter country code (e.g., DE for Germany, GB for the United Kingdom), followed by two check digits calculated using the MOD-97 algorithm. The remainder is the BBAN, which contains the bank code, branch code (in some countries), and account number. For example, a German IBAN like DE89 3704 0044 0532 0130 00 is 22 characters long, while a French IBAN is 27 characters.
IBANs eliminate ambiguity in international transfers by providing a globally unique account identifier. The built-in check digits catch over 99% of transcription errors before a payment is sent, reducing failed transfers and the fees that come with them. You can validate any IBAN or generate one from your bank details using BankCheck.
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