IBAN and RIB (Bank Account Identification)
The IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is an internationally standardized identifier used to uniquely identify a bank account worldwide. The RIB (Relevé d'Identité Bancaire) is a French bank identity document containing the complete banking details of an account holder, including the IBAN, BIC, and bank institution information. The RIB is equivalent to a bank statement header in the UK or a voided check in the US.
An IBAN consists of a country code (2 letters), a check digit (2 digits), and a Basic Bank Account Number (BBAN). In France, the IBAN comprises 27 characters (FR + 2 check digits + 23 BBAN characters). The RIB is a specifically French document that presents this information in a structured format: bank code, branch code, account number, RIB key, IBAN, and BIC/SWIFT code.
In KYC and anti-money laundering compliance procedures, IBAN and RIB verification is essential for validating the banking identity of a client or supplier. This verification ensures that the bank account genuinely exists, is linked to the correct holder, and is not associated with fraudulent activities. Financial institutions and businesses must verify the match between the declared identity and the bank account holder.
Document verification solutions like CheckFile.ai automate the extraction and validation of IBAN/RIB data from scanned banking documents. Artificial intelligence detects inconsistencies (invalid IBAN, incorrect format, mismatching country), mathematically verifies the check digit, and flags IBANs associated with high-risk jurisdictions.
Regulations
Real-world examples
- 1.An accounts payable department verifies a new supplier's RIB by cross-referencing the IBAN with banking databases to confirm the account exists before processing the first wire transfer.
- 2.A letting agency checks the tenant's RIB during the rental application process to ensure the bank account is registered in the applicant's name.
- 3.An online payment platform automatically validates the IBAN entered by a merchant during onboarding, checking the format, control key, and issuing country.