Bank sort codes

Download

Payment service providers can access the mandatory bank sort code update service through a secure download from the Bundesbank's ExtraNet. The Bundesbank also posts, on a non-binding basis, the bank sort code file on the internet. The Bundesbank does not accept any liability for this online service.

Deletion of bank sort codes

On the German page of this website you find a list about "Bank sort code deletions on (validity date)", in which all bank sort code deletions – specifying a successor bank sort code, if necessary – for this and previous updates were recorded. It can be used to establish which bank sort codes were deleted.

Since the introduction of the new record structure of the bank sort code file effective from 5 June 2006, this information can also be accessed in the bank sort code file directly (field 11 “modification code” = “D” in connection with field 2 “Is the institution the bank sort code-carrying credit institution (“1”) or not (“2”)” = “1”, and field 13 “Note concerning successor bank sort code”).

Note: A bank sort code will only be deleted if field 2 of the relevant data record contains the
number “1”. The deletion of a data record with the number “2” in field 2 does not mean that the bank sort code itself will be deleted; just that this data record has been deleted.

Information regarding the intended deletion of bank sort codes can be found in field 12 “Note concerning intended deletion of a bank sort code” and field 13 “Note concerning successor bank sort code”.

Downloading the bank sort code files

You find the bank sort code file for download only on the German page of this website. The files are provided in ASCII format as text-only, Excel, and Lotus Notes. Each of the files is available in two versions (current and previous).

We offer an e-mail service to inform you about new bank sort code files and to provide you with other information about bank sort codes which is of great importance for the smooth settlement of payment transactions. Click on the following link if you are interested in signing up for this service.