Where the bank code sits in an account number
Every Belgian account number starts with a 3-digit bank code (protocol number) assigned by the National Bank of Belgium. In the old notation 096-1234567-69 it is the first group; in the IBAN BE71 0961 2345 6769 it is digits 5 to 7, right after the country code and the two IBAN check digits. A bank usually owns one or more ranges of codes, so many different codes lead to the same institution.
Sample lookups
Code Range BIC Institution
001 000–049 GEBABEBB BNP Paribas Fortis
096 050–099 GKCCBEBB Belfius Bank
363 300–399 BBRUBEBB ING Belgium
645 645 JVBABE22 Bank J. Van Breda & C°
732 732 CREGBEBB CBC Banque et Assurances
750 750–765 AXABBE22 Crelan
539 539 – unavailable (reserved or retired)Search by code, by bank name or by BIC. The list is the official NBB file, embedded in the page; its version date is shown above the results.
How a Belgian account number is checked
An old-style Belgian account has 12 digits: 3 bank code, 7 account, 2 check digits. The check digits are the first 10 digits modulo 97, with a remainder of 0 written as 97. The IBAN adds its own ISO 13616 check (the 71 in BE71), so a Belgian IBAN is protected twice. The IBAN checker runs both checks and converts old numbers to IBAN.
Edge cases
- Mergers and brand changes. Codes stay with the legal institution after a merger, so an old code can now show the absorbing bank.
- Unavailable ranges are reserved or retired and should not appear in real accounts; an IBAN with such a code is suspicious.
- Payment institutions and neobanks may have their own Belgian code or issue foreign IBANs (for example LT or NL); a foreign IBAN is not in this list.
- BIC is optional for SEPA transfers within the EEA, but files such as pain.001 and EPC QR codes can still carry it; the code gives you the right one.
Read bank codes inside statements with the CODA viewer, or make a payment reference with the OGM generator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the bank from a Belgian IBAN?
Take digits 5 to 7 of the IBAN, the first three digits of the account number. For BE71 0961 2345 6769 that is 096, which belongs to the Belfius range 050–099.
What is the BIC of a Belgian bank?
Look up the bank code or bank name here: each range shows its BIC, for example GEBABEBB for BNP Paribas Fortis, GKCCBEBB for Belfius and BBRUBEBB for ING Belgium.
Where does the list come from?
From the official bank code list of the National Bank of Belgium, embedded in the page with its version date.
Why does a code show as unavailable?
The range is reserved or retired and is not assigned to an active institution. A real account with such a code is unlikely.
Is my account number sent anywhere?
No. The list is part of the page and the search runs in your browser.