Global Payment

Bank of East Asia Bank Code: What to Check Before a Transfer

James Carter
Business Finance Writer

Find Bank of East Asia's Hong Kong bank code, SWIFT code and the details to confirm before a local or international transfer.

2026.11.10 09:55:09 · 5minute(s)
The Bank of East Asia, Limited (BEA) uses 015 as its Hong Kong clearing number for local interbank transfers. For money remitted to a BEA Hong Kong account by telegraphic transfer, BEA lists BEASHKHH as its SWIFT code. Its official inward-remittance page also identifies the bank name, address and account-holder details to provide.
The bank code points to the institution; it does not tell a sender the recipient's account number or, where a form requests one, the correct branch code. Before making a payment, use the instructions for the particular recipient and transaction.

What 015 identifies in a Hong Kong payment

BEA's clearing number 015 identifies The Bank of East Asia, Limited in the local interbank context described by the bank. Keep the leading zero if your payment form asks for a three-digit bank or clearing code.
Codes are specific to the receiving institution: BEA uses 015, while Standard Chartered Hong Kong's bank code is 003. Standard Chartered's own remittance page confirms 003 for its Hong Kong bank. Choosing the right bank name matters even when two payment forms look the same.
If you are collecting from customers or paying more than one supplier, record the recipient's exact bank entity and verified details with the payment instructions. Do not treat a code for a similarly named bank in another market as interchangeable with BEA's Hong Kong code.

Preparing a local transfer to a BEA account

Start with the recipient's confirmed name and account details. When the sending bank or payment provider asks for the bank code, use 015 for The Bank of East Asia, Limited in Hong Kong. If the form separately asks for a branch code, obtain the one that applies to the recipient's account.
BEA's clearing code does not determine a single branch code for every account. The Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited directory publishes clearing and branch-code lists; the recipient or BEA can help confirm which entry is relevant. Do not infer the branch from 015 or rearrange account digits without the bank's instructions.
For recurring supplier payments, a beneficiary validation process can add a useful check when a payee is first added or requests different bank details. Confirm a change through a contact method already trusted by your business, not solely through the message containing the new details.

Receiving money from overseas: the details BEA publishes

For a telegraphic transfer to a BEA account in Hong Kong, BEA asks the sender to prepare the following:
  • Account holder's name and account number.
  • Bank name: The Bank of East Asia, Limited.
  • Bank address: 10 Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong.
  • SWIFT code: BEASHKHH.
BEA also states 015 as the clearing number for local interbank transfers. These details come from BEA's inward-remittance instructions. The sending bank may ask for additional information depending on the currency, route or payment form, so confirm the complete instruction with the recipient and the sending provider.
BEA's page is a personal-banking guide. Businesses using corporate or specialised accounts should check their own receiving instructions with BEA instead of assuming every field or arrangement is identical.

Four checks before you press send

  1. Match the bank to the account. Confirm that the beneficiary's account is held with The Bank of East Asia, Limited in Hong Kong and that 015 is appropriate for the form.
  2. Use the code for its intended field. The local clearing number is 015; BEASHKHH is the SWIFT code BEA publishes for inward remittances. One does not replace the other.
  3. Verify the account and any branch information. Obtain them from the beneficiary or bank. A correct bank code cannot by itself identify the individual account.
  4. Keep the transaction reference. For business payments, a remittance advice can help the recipient match a payment to an invoice. Confirm receipt in the account rather than treating the notice alone as proof that funds have arrived.
If information conflicts or the form does not accept it, pause and check with the sending provider or BEA. Payment processing and any correction charges depend on the institutions and route involved.

When one bank account is part of a wider payment workflow

The right BEA details help a payment reach the intended institution. For a business that also pays overseas suppliers or receives several currencies, the work continues after the bank-code field: the finance team must organise beneficiary records, manage currency conversion and track incoming and outgoing transactions.
PhotonPay is a separate business payments provider that eligible companies can consider alongside their bank accounts:
  • Manage supported balances: Photon Wallet describes a unified interface for supported fiat and stablecoin activity, including dedicated local accounts for eligible use cases.
  • Coordinate cross-border payments: PhotonPay Movement describes supported payouts to bank accounts and, where offered, wallets or cards.
  • Convert supported currencies: PhotonPay Convert describes conversion between supported fiat currencies and stablecoins. Check the quote and applicable terms for the particular transaction.
When evaluating a multi-currency account, check separately which currencies can be received, held and paid out. PhotonPay does not change BEA's codes or remove the need to verify the recipient. Availability, eligibility, fees, routes and timing depend on the customer, jurisdiction and transaction.

Frequently asked questions

Is 015 the Bank of East Asia bank code?

Yes. BEA publishes 015 as its clearing number for local interbank transfers in Hong Kong.

What is BEA Hong Kong's SWIFT code?

BEA lists BEASHKHH for funds remitted to a BEA Hong Kong account by telegraphic transfer. Confirm the recipient's complete payment instruction before sending.

Is 015 also the BEA branch code?

No. BEA identifies 015 as its clearing number. Where a separate branch code is requested, confirm the account's applicable branch information with the recipient or BEA.

Can I use the bank code instead of an account number?

No. The clearing code identifies the bank; the beneficiary's account number identifies the receiving account. Follow the sending provider's form and provide the other requested details.

References

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