bank ABA number

[squarebear]

Does anyone know how I can find out the bank ABA number or SWIFT number for my English bank account? It says the first 9 digits on your cheque but I don't have a 9 digit bank account number.

Thanks

[spudqueen]

On the very bottom of your cheque book are a series of numbers, the first one (usually 6 digits) is the cheque number, the next one (always 6 digits) is the Sort Code number of your branch, the next set of numbers (usually 9 digits) is your account number.

[squarebear]

There is the rub. My account is 8 digits long and so I am unsure of which 9 digits they mean...

[ABerrant]

Isn't the UK standard 8 digit account numbers (notable exception A&L)?

[squarebear]

Yes. I might have to call into my branch and see. ABA seems to be an American thing.

[ABerrant]

ABA is a US system...

http://en.wikipedia.o...outing_transit_number

[squarebear]

It says I can use my SWIFT number if I don't have an ABA but these means nothing to me either. I would have thought sort code plus account number would identify me.

[squarebear]

Just checked with my bank and they said:

"We no longer issue SWIFT codes; to make a payment to your account from overseas you will require your BIC code and IBAN number.
You can find your BIC (Branch Identifier Code) and your International Bank Account Number (IBAN) on the top of your paper statements."

sorted!