IBAN/BIC for German bank Volksbank

Kila

Hi,

I'm trying to transfer money to a german bank account. I have his german bank account details, and from those, using the volksbank website, I was able to generate an IBAN (they provided a tool).

They also list a Swift code / BIC on the site, but I'm now doubting myself as to whether it's the correct one. (I have asked the guy for his IBAN, but he's not the best at answering mails, so it would be ideal if I could just sort it myself, tbh).

He said that his bank is Volksbank Giessen. The website that I found is for berliner volksbank (https://www.berliner-volksbank.de/produkte_und_service/firmenkunde/unser_service_fuer_sie/rechenmodule/iban_rechner.jsp), and the BIC given is BEVODEBB. Does anyone know if I'm correct in thinking that that website is just from another branch of the Volksbank, and that the BIC would apply to the other branch too?

Is there any way for me to find out the information myself, or am I doomed to wait for this guy to reply?

BuffyBot

I'd imagine if it's the BIC listed on that page about IBAN's, it most likely going to be the correct one - unless they're a spectacularily crap bank

JackieT

I don't think you can use the Berlin volksbank's SWIFT/BIC, a volksbank is sort of like a credit union, so each regional volksbank would have their own swift code

BuffyBot

Ahh, apologies - I thought that was the webpage for the organisation in question. If not, as outlined above, then don't send it

parsi

Here ya go: VBMHDE5F

http://www.vb-mittelhessen.de/Firmenkunden/Auslandsgeschaeft/Zahlungsverkehr/SWIFT/Uebersicht/c549.html

The Volksbank in Giessen is part of Volksbank Mittel Hessen

http://www.vb-mittelhessen.de/Filialsuche/c846.html?filsuch=giessen

Kila

Got the following results from a search on the Swift code website:

1 GENODE51GI1 VOLKSBANK GIESSEN EG GIESSEN
2 VBMHDE5FXXX VOLKSBANK MITTELHESSEN EG GIESSEN

So now I'm thinking it might actually be the first one. Waiting on the guy to reply and see what he says, but I don't wanna wait too long. (Of course, neither do I want to send lots of money out into the black).

Kila

Hmm, an additional point I just noticed. That first one, even though it seems like it should be correct, is listed as "This BIC is not connected to the SWIFT network and cannot be used in the header of a SWIFT message.".

So perhaps you were on track with that VBMHDE5F from Mittel Hessen after all.

JackieT

yea i think Parsi is spot on there. found this through google:

"Die Volksbank Gießen-Friedberg und die Marburger Bank beabsichtigen, ihre Geschäftstätigkeiten rückwirkend zum 01.01.2005 zusammenzulege
...
Das neue Bankinstitut soll unter dem Namen Volksbank Mittelhessen firmieren"

My german is kinda rusty nowadays, but it basically means that VB Giessen & Marburger bank merged back in 2005, new name is VB Mittelhessen