Wire Transfers

Certain countries require specific information. If it is not provided, your wire transfer can be delayed or rejected (and it may incur additional charges).

Note: The following list is not exhaustive. Check with your payee to determine specific country requirements, if any.

China – Wire transfers in Chinese Yuan (CNY) can only be sent to commercial entities for commercial purposes. Wire transfers to persons in China can only be sent in non-Chinese currencies, e.g. USD, CAD, etc.

All wire transfers to and from China require a Reason for transaction code (also called a Purpose of Payment Code). In the wire transfer page in Online Banking, select CNY as the currency. A Reason for transaction menu will appear from which you can select a payment code:

• /BUSINESS/GOODS TRADE – for cross-border goods trade
• /BUSINESS/SERVICE TRADE – for cross-border service trade
• /BUSINESS/CAPITAL TRF – for cross-border capital transfer
• /BUSINESS/CAPITAL ACC TXN – for current account transactions
• /BUSINESS/CHARITY DONATION – for charity donation

Canada – The payee’s 12-digit account number is required. Enter it into the Account number field (transit number + account number) and provide the bank name and address.

Europe – An IBAN is required for all transfers to European banks. The IBAN consists of the bank code, transit number, account number and additional characters of the payee’s bank account, e.g. GB5XBARC2XX73XX52XX80X9

Mexico – An 18-digit CLABE is required. Without a CLABE, your wire transfer may be cancelled by the receiving bank. Enter the CLABE into the Account number field. If a wire transfer to Mexico is routed via an intermediary bank, the payee’s bank account number for the intermediary bank must be provided.

Account number – A Canadian account number is 12 digits and comprised of a transit number and an account number. Wire transfers to European banks require an IBAN.

BIC/SWIFT code – A standard format international bank code that identifies particular banks worldwide. BIC refers to Bank Identification Code; SWIFT refers to Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication. BIC/SWIFT codes are used for transferring money between banks, e.g. international wire transfers. Provide a BIC/SWIFT code for your payee whenever possible.

Clearing Code – This code is used for international transfers to an account that does not have an IBAN, BIC/SWIFT code. Examples are Clearing Code for Canada, Fed Wire for the US, CLABE for Mexico, BRB for Australia, etc.. Also called a routing code.

IBAN – This is an International Bank Account Number made up of 34 alphanumeric characters. An IBAN is required for wire transfers to European banks, and some banks in the Middle East and Caribbean. If an IBAN is required, enter it into the payee’s Account number field.

Correspondent/intermediary bank – This is a bank serving as a third party to facilitate an international wire transfer. Wire transfers to HSBC Bank Canada customers in foreign currencies are routed via correspondent/intermediary banks. If you are receiving a wire transfer in a foreign currency, you will need to provide the sender with information on the correspondent/intermediary bank used for that particular currency.

Payee – The person or party who receives the wire transfer funds. Also called a beneficiary.

Reason for transaction – This is used to identify the purpose of transfers to bank accounts in certain countries, e.g. China (in Online Banking, this is the Reason for transaction field). This code is mandatory for certain countries; if it is not provided, your wire transfer may not be processed. Also called a Purpose of payment code.

Sender – The person who sends the wire transfer funds. Also called a remitter.

Transaction Security Code – To add a new wire transfer payee in Online Banking, you will need to generate a Transaction Security Code using your security device. Carefully follow the on-screen instructions in the wire transfer page to generate a correct code. When generating a Transaction Security Code, you will be prompted to enter the last 7 digits of the payee’s account number into the Security Device:

• If the payee’s account number has less than 7 digits, add zeroes, e.g. for the account number 789, you would enter 0000789.
• Omit any letters or spaces and enter only the last 7 digits of the account number.

Wire transfer – This is an electronic transfer of funds locally or to/from a foreign country; also known as a wire payment, electronic transfer, e-transfer (not INTERAC), telegraphic transfer, remittance or priority payment.