Hi Rollo. I'm not sure if your response was to me or butsher. I know sort codes are not secret- I'm just puzzled as to why anyone would need to know the branch, especially in times of centralised processing. The only reason I can think of is that some standing order mandates ask for the branch address but I'd have thought they'd be better using the head office address.
I agree. I've provided the info lots of times on AB (as it's easy to find from google search) and politely enquired what use the info can be but never hear back.
Even if a standing order mandate 'requires' a branch address (and I'm sure leaving it blank would be an option) it's a pretty odd person who doesn't know the address of his own bank.
As you say, it's public knowledge anyway, but why people waste time trying to find it when they don't need it beats me too.