SendMoneyCompare — International Money Transfer Comparison

Name: SWIFT/BIC Codes for Banks in United Kingdom
Creator: SendMoneyCompare
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

Akif Hazarvi

SWIFT codes in United Kingdom

GB · GBP

Find the correct SWIFT/BIC code for banks in United Kingdom. Use these codes when sending or receiving international wire transfers. A SWIFT code ensures your payment is routed to the correct bank and branch.

Banks

37

SWIFT codes

10

Branches

10

Currency

GBP

Banks and SWIFT codes in United Kingdom

T
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

SWIFT/BIC	City	Branch	Address
`RBOSGBCHXXX`	EDINBURGH	Head Office	36 ST ANDREWS SQUARE
`RBOSGB3LXXX`	EDINBURGH	Head Office	36 ST ANDREWS SQUARE
`RBOSGB2SXXX`	EDINBURGH	Head Office	36 ST ANDREWS SQUARE
`RBOSGB21556`	EDINBURGH	556	30 NICOLSON STREET
`RBOSGB2LGLO`	LONDON	GLO	PREMIER PLACE, DEVONSHIRE SQUARE

N
NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK PLC

SWIFT/BIC	City	Branch	Address
`NWBKGB4EXXX`	LONDON	Head Office	BISHOPSGATE
`NWBKGB2XXXX`	LONDON	Head Office	250 BISHOPSGATE
`NWBKGBCHXXX`	LONDON	Head Office	250 BISHOPSGATE
`NWBKGB3CXXX`	LONDON	Head Office	250 BISHOPSGATE
`NWBKGB3LXXX`	LONDON	Head Office	250 BISHOPSGATE

Frequently asked questions

What is a SWIFT code for the United Kingdom?

A SWIFT code (also called a BIC) is an 8 or 11-character identifier used by UK banks for international wire transfers. The country code portion is GB. For example, BARCGB22 is the SWIFT code for Barclays. The structure is: 4 characters for the bank, 2 for country (GB), 2 for the city or location, and optionally 3 for the branch.

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. Always confirm the exact code with the recipient's bank, as some banks use different codes for specific divisions.

How do I find the SWIFT code for my UK bank?

You can find your UK bank's SWIFT code on your bank statement, in your online or mobile banking app, by contacting your branch, or by searching on this page. Most UK banks also display SWIFT codes on their international payments help pages. Always verify the code with your bank before sharing it with an overseas sender.

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.

Can I receive foreign currency directly into my UK bank account?

Most standard UK current accounts are GBP-denominated, and inbound foreign currency transfers are automatically converted to pounds. However, some banks and fintech providers (such as HSBC, Barclays, Wise, and Revolut) offer multi-currency accounts that can hold USD, EUR, and other currencies. If you regularly receive foreign currency, a multi-currency account avoids automatic conversion at the bank's less favourable rate.

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.