kontonummerIBAN

A kontonummerIBAN refers to an International Bank Account Number (IBAN) used for bank accounts within the Eurozone and many other countries. It is an internationally agreed upon system of identifying bank accounts from different countries, facilitating international money transfers. The IBAN system was developed to standardize account numbers and reduce errors during cross-border transactions.

An IBAN consists of an alphanumeric string of characters that typically includes a country code, a check digit, and the domestic bank account number. The structure and length of the IBAN vary by country. For example, a German IBAN starts with "DE" followed by 20 other characters. The check digits are used to validate the IBAN and prevent errors.

The primary purpose of the IBAN is to simplify and streamline international payments, particularly within the SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area). By using a standardized format, banks can process payments more efficiently and accurately, reducing the likelihood of misdirected funds or delays. While IBANs are most common in Europe, their adoption has spread to other regions to enhance global financial communication.