Sending money outside the UK: key words and definitions

An IBAN helps banks identify an account which can be used for making and receiving international payments.

For HSBC customers, this number is found at the top of bank statements near your account number.

The international equivalent of a sort code, this is the unique identifying code of a bank. If you want to make an international transfer, you need to know the BIC of the individual’s bank the money is being sent to. BICs are also known as SWIFT codes.

For HSBC customers, this number is found at the top of bank statements near your account number.

Usually just called the exchange rate, this is the rate applied when you convert from one currency to another. Exchange rates move up and down over time. They can vary depending on which bank, or company, you use to make the exchange.

A live rate is a currency exchange rate that's updated in real time.

A recurring payment is when you set up instructions and authorise a series of payments to be taken from your account. These payments can be for regular or irregular amounts and at different times. Recurring payments work in a similar way to standing orders within the UK.

Future dated payments occur when you set up an instruction and authorise a payment to be taken from your account on a later date.

These are countries in the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA). This includes Switzerland.

Currency accounts allow you to hold and manage your foreign currency in one place. This account is separate from your current account and allows you to:

• transfer money to other accounts in currency
• set up recurring and future payments
• manage your account online

The benefit of a currency account is you can send money outside the UK without any exchange rates involved. For example, if you hold a Euro account and need to make a payment for accommodation in Euros.

There are no charges for opening an HSBC Currency Account.