From: Bruce Robson 
Newsgroups: uk.finance
Subject: Re: BIC/IBAN.
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 14:56:44 +0100

David James wrote:
> 
> On my NatWest bank statement I have noticed the following codes (I have two
> accounts).
> 
> BIC NWBK GB 2L
> IBAN GB26 NWBK sort code account number
> 
> and
> 
> BIC NWBK GB 2L
> IBAN GB20 NWBK sort code account number
> 
> Obviously NWBK is NatWest and GB is obvious too, but what is BIC, IBAN, GB
> 20/26 and 2L
> 
> And why is there a difference in the GB numbers when both of my accounts are
> at the same branch?
> 
> Can anyone decipher what all this means?  Thanks.



BIC   = Bank Identifier Code
IBAN  = International Bank Account Number
20/26 = These 2 digits in the IBAN are check digits. They're
        different because the account numbers are differents.
2L    = no idea
  
Further details from the European Committee for Banking Standards 
http://www.ecbs.org/iban.htm