Bank state branch: Difference between revisions

A Bank State Branch identifying code (often abbreviated and used in conversation as BSB ) is a six digit numerical code used within Australia that identifies an individual branch of a financial institution. The Australian Payments Clearing Association (APCA) is the regulatory body of the BSB numbers in Australia. The use of BSB numbers in association with bank account numbers was introduced in the early 1970s with the introduction of MICR on cheques to mechanise the process of data capture by the banks.

An almost identical system is used in New Zealand, with a six digit numerical BSB code, often split into a two-digit "Bank" code and a four-digit "Branch" code. However, the New Zealand and Australian systems are incompatible.

Format

The format of the code is as follows:

• First two digits specify the parent financial institution.
• Third digit specifies the state where the branch is located
• Fourth, fifth and sixth digits specify the branch

For example, the BSB "033088" actually breaks down to the following:

• 03 = Westpac Banking Corporation
• 3 = Victoria
• 088 = 383 Chapel Street, Prahran

While banks usually follow this system, building societies and credit unions often do not. Building societies and former ones start with 63xxxx and credit unions 80xxxx. The state code does not always apply e.g. 633xxx is for Bendigo Bank which started as a building society in Victoria however 638xxx is for Queensland based Heritage Building Society. A financial institution may also use one centralised BSB for all accounts. Suncorp uses 484799 for all deposit accounts regardless of which branch or state the account was opened in. St George Bank does something similar to Suncorp.

With the expansion of the banking sector there are now many institutions which are now identified by the first three digits and "state" field is part of the "bank" identifier.

Usage

BSB codes are used in two payment systems in Australia - Australian Paper Clearing System (APCS) (also known as CS1) and Bulk Electronic Clearing System (BECS) (also known as CS2).

Cheques are the most common payment system which fall under APCS. BSB and Account numbers are used to identify the account to be debited and are printed on the cheque.

Electronic fund transfers between bank accounts use the Direct Entry system. BSB and account numbers are used when transferring funds via the Direct Entry System.

List of Bank codes

List of State codes

• 2 - Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales
• 3 - Victoria
• 4 - Queensland
• 5 - South Australia, Northern Territory
• 6 - Western Australia
• 7 - Tasmania

See also

• ISO 9362, the standard for SWIFT codes, international bank idientifiers
• List of banks in Australia
• Sort code, a number used in the United Kingdom that is similar to the BSB

External links

• Australian Payments Clearing Association Limited (APCA), the body that regulates BSB numbers
• Look up BSB Numbers on the Official APCA web site (constantly updated)