IBANs are made up of up to 34 alphanumeric characters. The first two to four letters of an IBAN represent the country code, the two digits after that represent the check digits, and the remaining characters represent the national routing code and account number associated with the bank account.

Individual financial institutions may also have their own internal systems for verifying and processing IBANs, but the structure of the code remains the same. For example, in the United Kingdom, some banks may have a computerized system that compares the IBAN to the bank details they have entered. This is done to ensure that the funds are being sent to the right account.

Today, IBANs are used by more than 200 countries around the world, and they are a key element in international transactions – such as sending and receiving money, paying bills, and handling financial information. Banks and other financial institutions use the IBAN to verify account numbers, process transactions, and provide security.

The use of IBAN numbers allows for more efficient processing of international payments. They reduce errors caused by incorrect or incomplete information in the transaction’s paperwork and help to identify accounts for automated payment processing. Furthermore, IBANs are essential for moving funds between banks in different countries quickly and securely.

IBANs also play a role in cross-border banking. Since IBANs are composed of both the bank account holder’s routing code and account number, banks in both countries can use the IBAN to identify and exchange money in international transactions. This makes multinational banking easier and helps facilitate international payments.

Overall, IBANs have become a global standard for sending and receiving money electronically. They are secure, reliable, and efficient, making them a critical component of international payments.