Find Bank Codes For Banks Registered in Hong Kong [2025]

A bank code in Hong Kong is a unique three-digit code assigned to each bank, serving to distinguish the bank from other financial institutions. 

The codes may also be referred to as clearing codes or sort codes. This is because they are essentially equivalent to a sort code in the UK or a routing number in the US. While these terms are often used interchangeably, bank codes in Hong Kong are specifically required for transactions through the Faster Payment System (FPS).

No, they are not the same, and here are the differences: 

• A bank code is a unique three-digit number assigned to a bank, identifying it within the Hong Kong banking system.
• A branch code is also a three-digit number but is used to specify a particular branch within the bank.

When making a local payment, both the bank code and branch code are required. Entering incorrect details may cause payment delays or failed transactions.

Bank codes play a vital role in enabling local payments within Hong Kong. In essence, you'll require three pieces of information to make a local payment in Hong Kong:

• Bank Code
• Branch Code
• Bank account number

This information allows for transactions to be processed efficiently and accurately to get the payments to the proper recipient in the quickest way. In the case of missing information, you may face the risk of a delayed transaction or payment rejection.

Bank codes are used only for local transfers within Hong Kong. For international transactions, additional identifiers are required.

To send or receive payments internationally, you will need either a:

✅ SWIFT code – Identifies banks and financial institutions globally.

✅ IBAN – Identifies individual bank accounts, mainly used in Europe but increasingly adopted worldwide.

Below is a comparison of these codes:

To find bank and branch codes, consider the following options:

• Reach out directly to your bank for assistance in obtaining the required codes.
• Visit your bank's website or online banking portal, which may offer information or lookup tools for finding these codes.
• Search online or refer to third-party websites that provide directories of bank codes for reference.
• Check your bank statements or passbooks, as bank codes are often listed on official banking documents.
• Look at your ATM or debit card, since some banks print the bank code directly on the card.

We cover a directory for Hong Kong bank codes in the list below.

*The main bank code for Bank of China is 012. However, due to several banks merging with the Bank of China, there may be some variations in bank codes based on the former identities. For example:

• Formerly Yien Yieh Commercial Bank (鹽業銀行): 014
• Formerly The Kwangtung Provincial Bank (廣東省銀行): 019
• Formerly The China & South Sea Bank Limited (中南銀行): 026
• Formerly Golden Bank (金城银行): 030
• Formerly Sin Hua Bank (新華銀行): 031
• Formerly China State Bank (國華商業銀行): 033
• Formerly Chekiang Industrial Bank of China (浙江兴业银行): 036
• Formerly Hua Chiao Commercial Bank (華僑商業銀行): 064
• Formerly Po Sang Bank (寶生銀行): 070

*The main bank code for DBS is 016. However, due to mergers with other banks, there may be variations in bank codes based on their former identities. This includes:

• Formerly Kwong On Bank (廣安銀行): 032
• Formerly Overseas Trust Bank (OTB 海外信托银行有限公司): 052

For the full directory, please refer to the official Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited (HKICL) bank code list. *