Help with overseas payments

An IBAN will be between 15 and 28 characters in length, depending on the country where the account is held. UK IBANs are 22 characters long.

In printed form, the number is frequently split into groups of four characters, making it easier to read. When it is used electronically it shouldn't contain blank spaces or the word IBAN. For example:

A printed IBAN would look like this: GB99 RBOS 1234 5612 3456 78

While the electronic equivalent would look like this: GB99RBOS12345612345678

IBANs and BICs are used throughout the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland. They should be used on all payments to and from these countries.

You must always quote the IBAN and BIC of the beneficiary. Don't give extra information - such as account numbers or bank names as this can cause problems with the payment.

You can also use IBAN and BIC to make currency payments within the UK. But if you're simply making sterling payments in the UK, you should use sort codes and account numbers.

If you're receiving funds:

• Give the payer your IBAN and BIC
• Don't provide any other information (such as your account number or address)

Although it's not essential, you can also provide your IBAN and BIC for payments being received from other countries.

All the EU countries have different ways of expressing account numbers and formats for making domestic payments. The IBAN provides one common style, (even though they look different) of account number format across the EU and EEA. It's easier for banks to identify if a customer has missed, added or transposed any numbers.

No, you should continue to use sort codes and account numbers for sterling payments in the UK.

Strictly speaking, IBANs only apply to euro payments. Although we strongly recommend the use of IBAN and BIC for all payments you make or receive from the EU and EEA including sterling payments.

Yes you can. You can quote the IBAN as your account number and the BIC as your bank details in the same way that you present the information for EU and EEA. The information is sufficient for the payment to reach your account at Isle of Man Bank.

The fastest and most secure way to receive money from abroad. 

• Secure - the sender's bank issues the electronic payment instructions to a bank in the UK. The money is then paid into your account.
• Fast - funds are credited to your account as quickly as possible. This will be either on the value date or, if this isn't possible, on the next possible value date.
• Automatic conversion - it doesn't matter if the payment currency is different from your account currency. So long as the payment is under £100,000 we'll automatically convert it.

You'll need to provide the payer with the following information:

• Our name in full: NatWest plc
• Our SWIFT address: NWBKGB2L
• Your account name and number. This needs to be an IBAN (International Bank Account Numer).

The fastest and most secure way to receive money from abroad. 

• Secure - the sender's bank issues the electronic payment instructions to a bank in the UK. The money is then paid into your account.
• Fast - funds are credited to your account as quickly as possible. This will be either on the value date or, if this isn't possible, on the next possible value date.
• Automatic conversion - it doesn't matter if the payment currency is different from your account currency. So long as the payment is under £100,000 we'll automatically convert it.

You'll need to provide the payer with the following information:

• Our name in full: Isle of Man Bank Limited
• Your branch sort code
• Your branch name and address
• Your account name and number or identifier

Handling drafts and cheques

While we don't usually recommend drafts and cheques, a basic principle that you can apply to make the process as simple and cost efficient as possible is to include multiple Sterling cheques and drafts in the same transaction. These need to be in the same currency, drawn on bank or building society branches based in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar, for negotiation.

If a cheque or draft is the only way that you're able to receive payments from overseas, please note that we can only clear these payments if they're made in Sterling by an issuer, bank or building society branch based in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar.

Please note that we're unable to accept:

• deposits made to your account in non-Sterling cheques, international or domestic drafts or travellers cheque deposits from any issuer
• Sterling/GBP cheques issued by a bank or building society branch based outside the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar

Any deposits or credits of this nature that we receive will be returned. We do not issue international draft payments.

If you have any questions or need to understand what other options might suit your requirements, please get in touch with your usual contact at the Bank who will be able to assist.