Finding Bank Codes for US & HK Stock Account Transfers: Simplifying the Process

Some time ago, a friend came to consult me. His parents were originally from Hong Kong but have now settled in Guangzhou. They wanted to open a Hong Kong bank account to receive their pension. However, when they went to the Bank of China in Hong Kong to open an account, they were rejected because they couldn’t set up online banking. This made me think about how these banks can be so unfeeling. While technology offers convenience and efficiency, forcing everyone to use modern means can be quite inhumane. I hope technology can bring more convenience to different groups of people and benefit the public.

I have previously shared a lot about opening accounts with various brokerage firms, but besides opening an account, the most troublesome part is funding the account. When funding the account, one might not know what the bank code and branch code are. Today, I want to share how to identify the codes of major banks in Hong Kong and also discuss other ways to achieve your desired results quickly and conveniently.

• Bank Code: The bank code is a 3-digit identification code. For example, 004 is the code for HSBC, and 024 is the code for Hang Seng Bank. Some banks have multiple codes. For instance, the Bank of China (Hong Kong) has several codes like 012, 014, and 019.
• Bank Account Number: The bank account number might differ from the card number displayed on your bank card. You can check your bank account number in your mobile banking app.

HSBC

Your HSBC ATM card has a 12-digit number, with the first 3 digits representing your branch code and the following 9 digits being your account number. For example, if your ATM card number is 123 456 789 001, your branch code is 123, and your account number is 456 789 001. Remember, the branch code and the bank code are different. HSBC’s bank code is 004.

• Example:
  • HSBC Bank Code: 004
  • Branch Code: 123
  • Account Number: 456 789 001
  • HSBC Hong Kong’s SWIFT code is HSBCHKHHHKH

Bank of China Hong Kong (BOCHK)

BOC Hong Kong account numbers usually consist of 11 digits.

• Bank Code: Typically 012
• Example account number:
  • HKD funding: 61111*67 (no need to input the first three digits 012)
  • USD, RMB funding: 61191*63 (no need to input the first three digits 012)

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Standard Chartered Bank

Standard Chartered account numbers usually consist of 11 digits or letters.

• Bank Code: Typically 003 (Please consult the bank for verification)
• Example account number: 433888***81

Hang Seng Bank

Hang Seng Bank account numbers usually consist of 10-12 digits.

• Bank Code: 024
• Example account number: 123456**9012

ICBC Asia

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia) account numbers usually consist of 12 digits.

• Bank Code: Typically 072 (Please consult the bank for verification)
• Example account number: 8708131**450

CITIC Bank International

CITIC Bank International account numbers usually consist of 12 digits.

• Bank Code: 018
• Example account number:
  • HKD funding: 7358****8888 (no need to input the first three digits 018)
  • USD funding: 7350****0000 (no need to input the first three digits 018)

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CMB Wing Lung Bank

CMB Wing Lung Bank account numbers usually consist of 11 digits.

• Bank Code: 020
• Example account number: 123***8912 (no need to input the first three digits 020)

Citibank

Citibank account numbers usually consist of 10-11 digits.

• Bank Code: 250 (Citibank Hong Kong) / 006 (Citibank N.A)
• Branch Code: 390 (Citibank Hong Kong) / 790 (Citibank N.A)
• Example account number: 3901234**78
• Note: If the account number found in your bank statement is 8 digits, prepend the branch code [390 (Citibank Hong Kong) / 790 (Citibank N.A)] to it.

ZA Bank

ZA Bank account numbers usually consist of 12 digits.

• Bank Code: 387
• Example account number: 888812***678

OCBC Wing Hang

OCBC Wing Hang account numbers usually consist of 12 digits.

• Bank Code: 035
• Branch Code: 802
• Example OCBC Wing Hang account number: 12345**89
• Example account number to be filled: 80212345**89 (prepend 802 to your OCBC Wing Hang account number)

Generally, the basic information needed for opening and funding an account with the above banks is as described. Most people who get these cards for receiving pensions are quite rare.