sort-code (thing)

In the UK each bank branch has a unique six-digit identifier, referred to as the sort-code. It is printed on the top right-hand corner of your cheques and is required for electronic payments between accounts (e.g. CHAPS, BACS), but not for things like Switch or Visa transactions.

Generally a bank has a block of codes. Some examples (EDIT ME!):

• Abbey National plc - Banking Operations - 09-01-26
• Alliance & Leicester plc - direct debit payments - 89-16-12
• Alliance & Leicester Giro - Credits to a/c - 89-20-0x (where x is the first digit of your a/c number)
• Alliance & Leicester Giro - Debits from a/c 89-26-1x (as above)
• Bank of Scotland plc - Frederick Street branch - 80-11-10
• Halifax plc - George Street, Edinburgh - 11-10-14
• Halifax plc - Shandwick Place, Edinburgh - 11-09-17
• HSBC Bank plc - Edinburgh - 40-20-44
• Royal Bank of Scotland plc - Silver Street, Hull - 16-22-11
• Sainsbury's Bank plc - 12-60-09
• Triodos Bank NV - 16-58-10