bankkode

Bankkode, or bank code, is a numeric or alphanumeric identifier assigned to a financial institution by national or international bodies to facilitate the routing of payments and verification of accounts within payment networks. Bank codes are used to identify the sending and receiving banks, and sometimes branches, in order to ensure funds are directed correctly.

Domestic payment systems typically use country-specific code formats. In the United States, routing numbers serve as bank codes within ACH and wire networks; in the United Kingdom, sort codes identify banks and branches for domestic transfers; and in many European countries, IBANs include a bank code plus branch identifiers, with the exact format varying by country.

International transfers commonly rely on the SWIFT network, which uses BIC codes to identify financial institutions; in combination with IBAN, these codes enable cross-border payments to reach the intended bank and account. The IBAN structure begins with a country code and check digits, followed by a bank code, branch code, and account number, with lengths that differ by country.

Bank codes are maintained by banks and national payment authorities, and accuracy is important to avoid misrouting funds. Codes are updated when banks merge, change branches, or reassign identifiers. Because terminology varies by country, the generic term bank code can refer to routing numbers, sort codes, IBAN bank identifiers, or BICs, depending on the jurisdiction and payment system in use.