Whether you’re paying suppliers, processing payroll, or receiving international transfer funds from overseas clients, getting your bank code and branch code right is one of the most basic and most overlooked parts of running a business in Hong Kong. This guide covers what you need to know, where to find the right codes, and how to avoid the errors that trip up even experienced operators.

Understanding Bank Codes in Hong Kong

What Are Clearing Hong Kong Bank Codes and Branch Codes List

Every licensed bank in Hong Kong is assigned a unique three-digit code by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). This code is required whenever you initiate an electronic transfer, set up an autopay instruction, or arrange a direct deposit it tells the payment system exactly which institution holds the destination account.

A few of the most commonly referenced codes:

• HSBC: 004
• Standard Chartered Bank: 003
• Bank of China (Hong Kong): 012
• Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited’s bank: 003

Without the correct bank code, a transfer may be rejected outright or in rare cases routed to the wrong institution entirely. It’s a simple piece of information, but errors here create real delays and, depending on your bank, potential recall fees.

Where to Find Your Bank Code

The most reliable sources are your bank’s official website (usually listed in the payments or FAQ section), your account statements or cheque book, and your online banking portal when adding a new payee. Most platforms pre-fill the bank code automatically once you select the receiving institution by name.

The Role of Branch Codes in Banking Transactions

The bank code tells the system which institution you’re dealing with. The branch code narrows it down to a specific location. Each branch in Hong Kong carries its own three- or four-digit identifier, and certain payment types particularly manual transfers, standing instructions, and employer payroll setups require you to supply it separately.

For most standard online transfers within Hong Kong, the branch code is inferred automatically from the account number. But if you’re setting up payroll through an HR system, paying tax or utilities through a government portal, or using older banking infrastructure, you’ll need it explicitly.

Common Branch Code Examples

HSBC: Central Branch 770 | Tsim Sha Tsui 757 | Mong Kok 823

Bank of China (HK): Central Branch 012 | Tsim Sha Tsui 819 | Mong Kok 878

Standard Chartered: Central Branch 003 | Causeway Bay 009 | Kowloon 015

These are illustrative. Always confirm the branch code directly with your bank before using it in a transaction, as branches do occasionally merge or update their codes.

Where to Find Your Branch Code

Your passbook, chequebook, or printed bank statements typically show both bank and branch codes alongside your account number. Your bank’s website will usually have a full branch directory. If in doubt, a quick call to customer service is the most reliable option especially before a high-value or time-sensitive payment.

How to Identify Your Bank and Branch Codes

A standard Hong Kong bank account number follows a predictable structure: a three-digit bank code, followed by a three or four-digit branch code, followed by the account number itself. For example, 004-770-12345678 breaks down as HSBC (004), Central Branch (770), account 12345678.

This format matters when you’re providing your own account details to a client or employer, or when you’re inputting a recipient’s details for a transfer. Understanding the structure helps you catch errors before they become problems.

Verification Before You Transfer

Before initiating any significant transaction to a new payee, it’s worth taking three steps: confirm the details directly with the recipient, use your bank’s online portal to auto-validate the account structure, and for large payments send a small test amount first. The few minutes this takes is negligible compared to the time spent chasing a misrouted payment.

Commonly Used Bank Codes in Hong Kong

The following are the bank codes for the major financial institutions operating in Hong Kong. These are required for interbank transfers, autopay setups, and transactions processed through FPS, CHATS, or eDDA.

• HSBC (The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited) 004
• Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited 003
• Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited 012
• Hang Seng Bank 024
• The Bank of East Asia Limited 015
• DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited 185
• Citibank (Hong Kong) Limited 250
• ICBC (Asia) Limited 072
• China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation Limited 009

International SWIFT Codes and BIC Codes

For international wire transfers, you’ll typically need the SWIFT/BIC code in addition to the local bank code. These are separate identifiers the bank code is used within Hong Kong’s domestic clearing system, while SWIFT codes are used for cross-border routing.

When sending or receiving international payments involving a Hong Kong bank account, you’ll need the correct SWIFT/BIC code for the receiving institution. These codes are required by all banks worldwide to route cross-border payments accurately without them, transfers can be delayed, returned, or misdirected.

This reference guide covers the SWIFT/BIC codes for all major traditional and digital banks operating in Hong Kong, compiled and verified for 2026. If you need help opening a Hong Kong business bank account or navigating international transfers, GetStarted HK can assist.

How SWIFT/BIC Codes Work

A SWIFT code (also called a BIC Bank Identifier Code) is made up of 8 or 11 characters, each section carrying specific information:

• First 4 characters: Bank code identifies the financial institution
• Next 2 characters: Country code HK for Hong Kong
• Next 2 characters: Location code identifies the city or region
• Last 3 characters (optional): Branch code XXX denotes the head office

An 8-character code always refers to the bank’s head office. If you are unsure which branch code to use, the 8-character head office code will route your payment correctly in most cases.

Traditional Banks SWIFT/BIC Codes

These are the SWIFT codes for licensed traditional banks operating in Hong Kong. These institutions handle the majority of corporate banking, payroll, trade finance, and international transfers for businesses registered in Hong Kong.

Bank	SWIFT / BIC Code
HSBC Hong Kong	HSBCHKHH
Bank of China (Hong Kong)	BKCHHKHH
Standard Chartered Hong Kong	SCBLHKHH
Hang Seng Bank	HASEHKHH
Citibank (Hong Kong)	CITIHKAX
DBS Bank (Hong Kong)	DBSSHKHH
Bank of East Asia (BEA)	BEASHKHH
Bank of Communications (HK)	COMMHKHH
ICBC (Asia)	ICBKHKHH
China Construction Bank (Asia)	PCBCHKHH
Dah Sing Bank	DSBAHKHH
Chong Hing Bank	LCHBHKHH
Nanyang Commercial Bank	NYCBHKHH
Shanghai Commercial Bank	SCBKHKHH
CMB Wing Lung Bank	WUBAHKHH
China CITIC Bank International	KWHKHKHH
Chiyu Banking Corporation	CIYUHKHH
Fubon Bank (Hong Kong)	IBALHKHH
OCBC Bank (Hong Kong)	WIHBHKHH
Public Bank (Hong Kong)	CBHKHKHH
Tai Sang Bank	TSBLHKHH

Digital Banks SWIFT/BIC Codes

Hong Kong’s eight licensed virtual banks each hold a SWIFT code, though not all are commonly used for international wires. If your business or a client uses one of these institutions, confirm with the bank directly whether SWIFT transfers are supported for your transaction type.

Bank	SWIFT / BIC Code
ZA Bank	AABLHKHH
Mox Bank	MOXBHKHK
WeLab Bank	WEDIHKHH
Livi Bank	LIVIHKHH
Fusion Bank	IFFUHKHH
Ant Bank (Hong Kong)	ASEHHKHH
Airstar Bank	AIRRHKHH
Ping An OneConnect Bank	PONCHKHH

Key Points to Know Before Making an International Transfer

• SWIFT ≠ IBAN: Hong Kong does not use IBANs. For HK transfers, you only need a SWIFT code and the account number.
• SWIFT ≠ Local Bank Code: Your domestic bank code (e.g., HSBC = 004) is separate from the SWIFT code. Both may be required depending on the type of transfer.
• Branch-specific codes: Some banks like HSBC have branch-level SWIFT codes in addition to their head office code. If uncertain, use the 8-character head office code.
• Always verify before sending: Codes can change if a bank merges, rebrands, or restructures. Confirm with your bank or the recipient before initiating high-value transfers.
• Wrong code consequences: Using an incorrect SWIFT code may delay your payment, trigger recall fees, or in rare cases result in funds being sent to the wrong institution.

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Locating Branch Codes for Major Banks in Hong Kong

Each bank maintains a publicly accessible directory of its branch codes, either on its website under ‘Branch Information’ or ‘Support’, or through its customer service hotline. For businesses managing multiple payees or running regular payroll, it’s worth downloading a copy of the relevant banks’ branch directories and keeping them on file.

Online banking portals have made this easier many will auto-fill the branch code when you enter an account number, reducing the scope for manual error. ATM receipts will occasionally show branch details as well, though this varies by bank.

One common point of confusion: some banks assign the same code to a branch that it also uses as its bank code. Standard Chartered is an example its bank code (003) doubles as the code for its Central branch. If you’re uncertain whether a code refers to the bank or a specific branch, check the bank’s official directory rather than assuming.

The Structure of Hong Kong Bank Account Numbers

As noted above, Hong Kong bank account numbers are made up of three components: the bank code, the branch code, and the account number. The total length varies between banks account numbers themselves range from six to nine digits, so the full string can look different depending on the institution.

When providing your account details to a client, employer, or overseas counterparty, always supply all three components explicitly. Some recipients particularly overseas banks processing an inbound wire may not be familiar with Hong Kong’s account format and may need guidance on how to enter it into their own system.

Transfers Within the Same Bank

For internal transfers between accounts at the same bank, the bank code is often not required. However, the branch code may still be needed depending on the transaction type. When in doubt, include it providing more information than is strictly necessary rarely causes a problem; omitting required fields sometimes does.

Why Accurate Bank and Branch Codes Matter

The consequences of an incorrect bank or branch code range from minor inconvenience to genuine financial disruption. At best, a wrong code triggers an immediate rejection and you resend the payment. At worst, funds are routed to an unintended account and recovery, while usually possible, is slow and administratively burdensome.

For businesses, the stakes are higher. Payroll errors caused by incorrect codes can affect employee trust and create HR issues. Supplier payments that fail or arrive late can damage commercial relationships. Some banks also charge fees for returned transactions, which adds cost on top of the delay.

Practical Steps to Avoid Errors

• Confirm bank and branch identifiers directly with the recipient, not from memory.
• Save verified payee details in your banking platform don’t re-enter from scratch each time.
• Review transaction details carefully before submitting, especially for first-time payees.
• For large payments, send a small test transaction to a new payee before the full amount.
• Check periodically that saved payee codes are still current branches do occasionally merge.

Tools and Resources to Verify Bank and Branch Codes

The most authoritative source for any bank’s codes is the bank itself. Official websites, customer service hotlines, and online banking portals are all reliable. For system-level verification, Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited (HKICL) which operates both FPS and CHATS maintains a database of registered banking codes.

For international transactions, SWIFT’s online BIC directory is the standard reference for confirming SWIFT codes. Some corporate banking platforms and ERP systems also integrate directly with bank code databases, auto-validating account details as they’re entered if yours does, make use of it.

Chequebooks and printed statements remain reliable fallbacks for confirming your own account details, particularly if you need to provide them to a third party who requires a physical record.

Steps to Ensure Accurate Bank Details for Transfers

Getting this right consistently is a matter of process, not luck. A few straightforward habits eliminate most transfer errors before they happen.

1. Confirm details before the first transfer. Always verify a new payee’s bank and branch numbers directly don’t rely on what’s written in an email or invoice unless you’ve independently confirmed the account belongs to the intended recipient.

2. Use official sources. Your bank’s website, your online banking portal, or a direct call to customer service. Avoid transcribing codes from unofficial sources.

3. Use copy-paste where possible. Manually re-keying account numbers and codes is where most errors occur. If you’re working digitally, copy and paste.

4. Test with a small amount first. For any new payee, particularly one you’ll be paying regularly, send a nominal amount and confirm receipt before processing the full payment.

5. Save and maintain a verified payee list. Most banking platforms allow you to store payee details securely. Do so, and review the list periodically to ensure nothing has become outdated.

6. Review before submitting. On high-value transfers, check every field bank code, branch code, account number, currency, and amount before you confirm.

7. Verify completion. After sending, check your transaction history to confirm the payment processed without error. Don’t assume it went through correctly until you’ve seen confirmation.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Bank Transfers

Even with good process, issues occasionally arise. Here’s how to handle the most common ones.

Incorrect Bank or Branch Code

Contact your bank immediately. If the transfer hasn’t been processed yet, it may be possible to amend the details. If it has been sent and the code corresponds to a real account at another institution, a formal recall request will be required your bank can initiate this, though the process varies in speed depending on whether both banks are in Hong Kong.

Transfer Delays

Check whether your payment was submitted before your bank’s cut-off time for same-day processing. Transfers made after the cut-off which varies by bank and payment type are typically processed the next business day. For urgent or time-sensitive payments, FPS is the better option: it processes 24/7 and settles in near real time.

Transaction Rejected Due to Name Mismatch

Some banks validate that the account name on file matches the name provided in the transfer instruction. Even minor discrepancies a middle name included in one but not the other, or a formal legal name versus a trading name can trigger a rejection. Confirm the exact registered account name with the recipient before retrying.

Unexpected Fees

Check your bank’s fee schedule for the transaction type in question. Interbank transfers, same-day processing, and international wires each carry different fee structures, and charges for returned or rejected transactions can be significant. If a fee seems incorrect, contact your bank with the specific transaction reference.

Transfer Sent to the Wrong Account

Act immediately. Contact your bank and provide the transaction reference, the amount, and the details of where the payment was incorrectly sent. If the funds went to an account at the same bank, resolution is typically faster. For interbank cases, your bank will contact the receiving institution to request a return but this is not guaranteed, particularly if the recipient’s account has been emptied. Speed matters here.

Fraud Hold or Compliance Check

Large or unusual transfers are sometimes flagged under Anti-Money Laundering (AML) protocols, particularly for cross-border payments. If your transfer is held, your bank will usually contact you to request documentation confirming the purpose of payment and the identity of the counterparty. Having supporting documents invoice, contract, or remittance advice readily available will speed up clearance.