How to find your IBAN number and what it is

Looking for your IBAN number to complete an international payment? You’re not alone. Whether you’re sending money abroad, receiving funds from Europe, or setting up a business payment, finding an IBAN can be confusing, especially if you’re based in the United States.

The good news is that your IBAN is usually easy to find once you know where to look. In most cases, it’s available through your online banking portal, mobile banking app, or bank statements.

So, let's dive in and learn exactly what an IBAN number is, whether you actually need one, how to find it step by step, and how it differs from SWIFT codes and routing numbers. By the end, you’ll know exactly what information to provide, and where to find it, so your international transfer goes through smoothly.

What is an IBAN number?

An IBAN, or International Bank Account Number, is a standardized format used to identify bank accounts across borders. Think of it as an internationally recognized address for a specific bank account, designed to make global payments faster, safer, and less error-prone.

IBANs were introduced in Europe to simplify cross-border financial transactions and are now used by 89 countries, primarily across Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. The system reduces payment errors by validating account details before a transfer is processed.

It’s important to understand one key point:
Banks in the United States do not use IBAN numbers.

Instead, US banks rely on:

• Routing numbers for domestic payments
  
  
• SWIFT/BIC codes for international wire transfers

If you’re a US customer sending money to an IBAN country (like Germany, France, or the UK), you’ll need the recipient’s IBAN, not your own. If you’re receiving money from abroad, you’ll provide your routing number, SWIFT code, and account number instead.

What does an IBAN number look like?

An IBAN number is an alphanumeric code of up to 34 characters. Not to be mistaken for a bank account number, an IBAN typically includes the account number along with several other identifying codes. These include codes that identify the bank the funds are being sent to and the country. So what does an IBAN number look like?

An International Bank Account Number will always include:

• A two-letter code identifying the country
• Two check digits
• The bank code
• A code of up to 30 characters is known as the Basic Bank Account Number (BBAN) which is decided on by the country and is used as a national standard for domestic payments.

For example, a UK IBAN number will have the following format:

GB28VBCD12345612345678

GB represents the country code

28 represents the check digits

VBCD represents the bank code

123456 represents the sort code

And the next 12345678 represents the account number.

SWIFT codes vs IBAN numbers

You might be wondering at this stage what the difference is between a SWIFT code and an IBAN number. Let’s explore the difference below.

A SWIFT code (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication), also known as a Bank Identifier Code (BIC), is a unique identification bank code used to identify the specific financial institution in international wire transfers. SWIFT codes consist of either 8 or 11 characters and include information about the bank and its location.

An IBAN (International Bank Account Number), on the other hand, is a standardized international numbering system used to identify bank accounts for international money transfers. As covered above, it typically consists of a country code, two check digits, and a BBAN. The purpose of the IBAN number is to help ensure that international payments are processed accurately and efficiently.

In summary, a SWIFT code is used to identify a specific bank or financial institution in international wire transfers. An IBAN number is used to identify a specific bank account in cross-border transactions.

Both codes are important for international money transfer and are used in conjunction with each other to ensure that funds are transferred to the correct account at the correct institution.

Which countries and banks use IBAN numbers?

Countries That Use IBANs

• All EU & SEPA Members: e.g., France, Germany, Spain, Italy
  
  
• Non-EU European States: United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland
  
  
• Middle East: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait
  
  

Countries That Do NOT Use IBANs

• United States (routing + SWIFT)
  
  
• Canada (institution + transit numbers)
  
  
• Australia (BSB codes)
  
  
• China, Japan, India
  
  

Major US Banks

Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi, and similar institutions do not issue IBANs. For incoming international payments, they provide a SWIFT code (for example, CHASUS33 for Chase), along with your routing and account numbers.

How to find your IBAN number

To find your IBAN number, you will need to check your bank statements, online banking portal, or contact your bank directly. The exact process for finding your IBAN number may vary depending on the country and financial institution, but here are some general steps you can follow:

Check your bank statement: Your IBAN number should be listed on your bank account statement, which you can access online or receive in the mail.

Check your online banking portal: If you use online banking, you can usually find your IBAN number by logging into your account and navigating to your account details or settings.

Contact your bank: If you cannot find your IBAN number through the above methods, you can contact your bank directly and ask them to provide it for you. Be prepared to provide your account number and other identifying information.

It's important to note that not all countries use an IBAN number, so if you are sending or receiving an international payment, you may need to use a different format for bank account identification.

Additionally, IBAN numbers can vary in length and format depending on the country and financial institution. Before you transfer money or make an international transaction always check what information is required and whether it is accurately inputted.

Tap’s business account and IBANs

When creating a business account on the Tap network, users will automatically gain access to their own IBAN number which can be used to receive international payments. With several currency options, the account caters to a wide range of industries and services.

‍