Hong Kong Bank Code Checker
Validate Hong Kong CHATS clearing codes, find SWIFT codes for international transfers, and check FPS eligibility. Covers all HKAB-registered banks.
3-digit CHATS clearing code (include leading zero, e.g. 004)
Search in English or Chinese (e.g. 匯豐, 恒生)
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CHATS Clearing Codes: Quick Reference
All HKAB-registered bank clearing codes. Click any row for full details.
| Code | Bank |
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HK Payment Systems: CHATS vs FPS vs SWIFT
Real-time gross settlement for interbank HKD transfers. Uses 3-digit clearing codes. Business day hours. For high-value transfers between HK banks.
Faster Payment System. 24/7 instant HKD and RMB transfers using phone number or email. No clearing code needed. Just the recipient's registered phone or email. Max HKD 1,000,000 per transfer.
For receiving money from outside Hong Kong. Give senders your bank's SWIFT code and account number. Not the 3-digit clearing code. Typical arrival: 1-3 business days.
How Hong Kong's CHATS Bank Code System Works
CHATS stands for Clearing House Automated Transfer System. It is Hong Kong's interbank settlement network, operated by Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited (HKICL) under the oversight of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). Every licensed bank in Hong Kong that participates in the system is assigned a unique 3-digit clearing code by the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB).
When you transfer money between two Hong Kong bank accounts in HKD, your bank uses the recipient's 3-digit clearing code to route the payment through CHATS. CHATS settles transactions in real time, meaning funds clear individually and immediately rather than being batched like ACH in the US. This makes it reliable for high-value business payments. CHATS also supports USD, EUR, and RMB settlement for banks participating in those clearing streams.
The codes are always 3 digits and include a leading zero where needed. HSBC Hong Kong's code is 004, not just 4. Citibank Hong Kong is 006. Bank of China HK is 012. Hang Seng is 024. The numbering reflects the historical order in which banks joined the clearing system, so older established banks like HSBC and Standard Chartered have low numbers.
Receiving International Wire Transfers in Hong Kong
If someone outside Hong Kong is sending you money by international wire transfer, the 3-digit clearing code is not what you give them. You need to provide your bank's SWIFT code (also called BIC), your account number, and your full name as registered on the account.
SWIFT codes for major Hong Kong banks: HSBC HK is HSBCHKHHHKH, Hang Seng Bank is HASEHKHH, Bank of China HK is BKCHHKHH, Standard Chartered HK is SCBLHKHH, Citibank HK is CITIHKHX, and DBS HK is DHBKHKHH. If your bank's branch has a specific SWIFT code, that 11-character version is more precise, but the 8-character bank-level code usually works.
Hong Kong accounts can hold multiple currencies. Most HK bank accounts can receive both HKD and USD. If you expect to receive USD internationally, confirm with your bank whether they will convert to HKD on arrival or hold it in a USD sub-account. For HKD transfers from overseas, the sender's bank will convert to HKD before the wire, or you can ask them to send USD and convert locally for potentially better rates.
FPS: Hong Kong's Instant Payment System
FPS (Faster Payment System) launched in September 2018 and has transformed how Hong Kongers send money to each other. Unlike CHATS, which requires the full account number and bank code, FPS lets you send money using just the recipient's registered mobile phone number or email address. Transfers are instant, available 24 hours a day every day of the year, and support both HKD and RMB.
All major Hong Kong banks and most stored value facilities (like PayMe by HSBC, AlipayHK, and WeChat Pay HK) participate in FPS. The maximum transfer limit is HKD 1,000,000 per transaction for most banks, though individual bank limits may be lower. For small daily transfers between friends and family in Hong Kong, FPS via phone number is almost always faster and simpler than using the full clearing code.
Validating bank codes in other countries? Use our IBAN Validator for European banks, our US Routing Number Checker for American banks, or our Australian BSB Checker for Australian accounts.
Bank code data sourced from HKAB (Hong Kong Association of Banks) and HKICL (Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited) public registries. Data last updated: January 2025.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A 3-digit number assigned by HKAB to identify each licensed bank in Hong Kong's CHATS interbank payment network. Used for domestic HKD transfers between HK banks. HSBC HK is 004, Hang Seng is 024, Bank of China HK is 012.
HSBC Hong Kong's CHATS clearing code is 004. The SWIFT code is HSBCHKHHHKH. Use 004 for local HKD transfers to HSBC HK accounts. Use HSBCHKHHHKH when receiving international wires from outside Hong Kong.
CHATS (Clearing House Automated Transfer System) is Hong Kong's real-time gross settlement system operated by HKICL under HKMA oversight. It processes large-value interbank payments in HKD, USD, EUR, and RMB in real time. Banks are assigned 3-digit clearing codes for participation.
FPS (Faster Payment System) is Hong Kong's instant retail payment network launched in 2018. It enables 24/7 instant HKD and RMB transfers using just a mobile phone number or email address. All major HK banks participate. Maximum HKD 1,000,000 per transfer.
Give the sender your bank's SWIFT code (not the 3-digit clearing code), your account number, and your full name. HSBC HK: HSBCHKHHHKH. Hang Seng: HASEHKHH. Bank of China HK: BKCHHKHH. Standard Chartered HK: SCBLHKHH.
HSBC Hong Kong uses SWIFT code HSBCHKHHHKH. This is different from HSBC UK (MIDLGB22) or HSBC USA. Always use the HK-specific code. The HKH location suffix distinguishes it from other HSBC entities worldwide.
No. The 3-digit clearing code is for domestic HK transfers via CHATS. The SWIFT code is for international wire transfers. Same bank, different codes for different payment contexts. Give overseas senders the SWIFT code, not the clearing code.