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Understanding Bank Details: Account Numbers, Routing Numbers, IBAN, Sort Codes, and More

When adding a bank account to withdraw funds on Rise, you'll be asked for specific banking details — and exactly which details depend on your country, bank, and the type of withdrawal you're setting up

This article explains what the most common fields mean in general terms, so you know what to expect. Because these formats vary by country and bank, we recommend confirming the exact details with your own bank before entering them on Rise — entering an incorrect number can delay or misdirect your funds.

Why the Form Looks Different Depending on Your Setup

You may notice the bank details form changes depending on what you select:

  • Domestic transfers (for example, receiving USD to a US bank account) typically ask for an Account Number, Routing Number, Bank Name, and Account Type.

  • International transfers (for example, receiving GBP to a UK bank account) typically ask for an IBAN and a Sort Code instead.

This isn't a mistake — different countries and banking systems use different identifiers to route money correctly, so the form adapts to match what your bank and country actually require.

Common Fields Explained

Account Number The unique number identifying your specific bank account. This is different from your routing/transit number, which identifies your bank, not your individual account.

Routing Number A number that identifies your bank (and often a specific branch) for domestic transfers, most commonly used in the United States. This tells the payment network which institution to send funds to.

Transit Number Used in some countries (such as Canada) similarly to a routing number — it identifies the specific bank branch. It's often paired with a separate institution number to fully route a domestic transfer.

Bank Name The name of your financial institution. Straightforward, but make sure it matches your bank's official registered name to avoid processing delays.

Account Type Typically asks whether the account is a checking, savings, or business account. This affects how the receiving bank processes the incoming transfer.

IBAN (International Bank Account Number) A standardized international format that combines your country, bank, branch, and account number into a single number. IBANs are used across much of Europe and many other countries for international transfers, and are typically required instead of a plain account number for cross-border payments.

Sort Code Used primarily in the UK and Ireland, a sort code identifies the specific bank and branch, similar in purpose to a routing or transit number, but formatted differently (usually as three pairs of digits, e.g., 20-40-36).

SWIFT/BIC Code: Not shown in every form, but sometimes required for certain international wires. This code identifies your bank globally and is used alongside your IBAN or account number for cross-border transfers.

Before You Add Your Bank Details

Because these fields vary by country, bank, and transfer type, we recommend:

  1. Confirming the exact details with your bank first — most banks display this information directly in their app or online banking portal, or can provide it if you contact them.

  2. Double-checking formatting — for example, IBANs and sort codes often have specific character counts or formatting (like dashes or spaces) that must match exactly.

  3. Matching the account type to what your bank has on file — an incorrect account type selection can cause processing delays, even if the numbers themselves are correct.

Getting these details right the first time helps avoid delays, since incorrect bank information is one of the most common causes of withdrawal issues.

FAQs

Why does Rise ask for different information than what I've seen on other platforms? The specific fields requested depend on your country and the type of transfer (domestic vs. international), not on Rise itself — these are standard banking identifiers required by the banking networks that process the transfer.

What happens if I enter the wrong routing number, IBAN, or sort code? Incorrect details can cause your withdrawal to be delayed, rejected, or in rare cases, misdirected. If you're unsure about any field, confirm it with your bank before submitting.

Where can I find my IBAN, sort code, or routing number? These are typically visible in your bank's mobile app, online banking portal, or on a physical bank statement. If you can't locate them, your bank's customer support can provide them directly.

Do these requirements change if I switch withdrawal methods? Yes. Switching between a domestic and international withdrawal, or changing your receiving currency, may change which fields are required. Always check the form for your specific selection rather than assuming it matches a previous withdrawal you've set up.

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