SWIFT codes in United Kingdom
GB · GBP
37 banks in United Kingdom, from THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC (RBOSGBCH) onward; every code carries GB as its country part.
Banks
37
SWIFT codes
10
Branches
10
Currency
GBP
Banks and SWIFT codes in United Kingdom
NNATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK PLC
| SWIFT/BIC | City |
|---|---|
NWBKGB4EXXX | LONDON |
NWBKGB2XXXX | LONDON |
NWBKGBCHXXX | LONDON |
NWBKGB3CXXX | LONDON |
NWBKGB3LXXX | LONDON |
TTHE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
| SWIFT/BIC | City |
|---|---|
RBOSGBCHXXX | EDINBURGH |
RBOSGB3LXXX | EDINBURGH |
RBOSGB2SXXX | EDINBURGH |
RBOSGB21556 | EDINBURGH |
RBOSGB2LGLO | LONDON |
United Kingdom SWIFT code questions
What does a United Kingdom SWIFT code look like?
RBOSGBCHXXX (THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC): bank RBOS, country GB, location CH, branch XXX.
What are the SWIFT codes for major UK banks?
Key UK bank SWIFT codes include: Barclays — BARCGB22, HSBC — HBUKGB4B, Lloyds Bank — LOYDGB2L, NatWest — NWBKGB2L, Santander UK — ABBYGB2L, Standard Chartered — SCBLGB2L, and Nationwide — NAIAGB21.
Do I need a SWIFT code or a sort code for international transfers to the UK?
For international transfers from outside the UK, the sender needs your bank's SWIFT/BIC code plus your account number (and often your sort code as well). Sort codes alone are used for domestic UK transfers via Faster Payments, Bacs, and CHAPS, but they are not recognised by the international SWIFT network. Provide both the SWIFT code and sort code plus account number to avoid delays.
How long does a SWIFT transfer to the UK take?
SWIFT transfers to the UK typically arrive within one to three business days. Transfers from Europe and North America often settle within one to two business days at major banks like Barclays, HSBC, and Lloyds. London's position as a global financial centre means most UK banks have strong correspondent relationships, which helps speed up settlement.
Are there fees for receiving a SWIFT transfer in the UK?
UK banks may charge an inbound international payment fee, typically GBP 5–15, although some accounts (especially premium or international accounts) waive this. If the transfer arrives in a currency other than GBP, the bank will convert it at their own exchange rate, which usually includes a margin over the mid-market rate. Confirm your bank's inbound wire fee before the transfer is sent.
What is the difference between Faster Payments, CHAPS, and SWIFT in the UK?
Faster Payments and CHAPS are domestic UK payment systems — Faster Payments handles real-time transfers up to GBP 1 million using sort codes and account numbers, while CHAPS handles same-day high-value GBP transfers. Neither can receive international payments. SWIFT is the international network for cross-border transfers. After a SWIFT payment arrives at a UK bank, the bank credits the recipient's account through its internal systems.
How SWIFT works in the United Kingdom
UK customers often confuse SWIFT codes with sort codes and Faster Payments details. They are not interchangeable. Domestic GBP transfers normally use sort code and account number, while incoming international transfers use a bank's SWIFT/BIC code plus the account identifier required by that bank.
- For domestic UK transfers, recipients usually need a sort code and account number. A SWIFT code is mainly required when the sender is outside the UK or the payment is moving through the correspondent banking system.
- Large UK banks may use one SWIFT code for inbound payments and route funds internally to local branches, so the branch-level code listed on old paperwork is not always the right one to share.
- If the transfer is arriving in GBP from Europe or North America, intermediary fees can still apply even when the recipient bank is in London. Confirm the beneficiary bank's preferred receiving currency before sending.
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