TN 31 (01-08)

A. Introduction

1. Coding Hong Kong Bank Data

This section describes how to code bank data for direct deposit of Title II benefits to a financial institution (FI) in Hong Kong. The bank data will be stored on the MBR in the same fields as are used for U.S. direct deposit. Special coding identifies the data as Hong Kong International Direct Deposit (IDD) and allows benefit payments to be routed through the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (FRBKC) and the processor bank in Hong Kong to the beneficiary's FI in Hong Kong.

NOTE: U.S. domestic (i.e., non-border) field offices (FOs) should not attempt to process an IDD request for this country. U.S. domestic FOs must forward all appropriate information to the Office of Earnings and International Operations, Division of International Operations (OEIO, DIO) for processing (For more information on forwarding IDD information, see GN 02402.205C, GN 01010.255, and GN 01702.310C).

2. Where to Obtain Data

The data for coding may come from a check, a signup form for Hong Kong (see GN 02402.325E.), or the equivalent information received by mail, phone, fax, or e-mail.

NOTE: If upon receipt of the information, there are any discrepancies, follow instructions in GN 00203.020 and GN 02402.025.

3. Multi-Country Contract

The processor bank in Hong Kong will have a prefix of 71 at the beginning of the routing number (RTN) and an assigned letter in the first position of the Depositor Account Number (DAN). The letter assigned for Hong Kong is “H.”

B. Description - Hong Kong Bank Data

Hong Kong bank data consists of a total of up to 15 digits, as follows:

• A Bank/Branch Code of 6 digits. The first 3 are for the bank, and the last 3 are for the branch.

• An Account Number of 6-9 digits. If fewer than 6 digits are provided, the form must be returned to the beneficiary for correction.

On the signup form, the Bank/Branch Code will be the first 6 digits. The Account Number of 6-9 digits will follow.

C. Procedure

Follow the steps in this procedure to code direct deposit of Title II benefits to an FI in Hong Kong. Always make sure that the names on the MBR and the bank account are exactly alike. If the names are not alike, change the name on the MBR to match the bank account.

REASON: The customer's name on a Hong Kong bank account must match the customer's government ID. And the bank will not accept a payment with a name that does not exactly match the name on the account.

1. Are you coding an initial claim?

   • If yes, go to step 3.

   • If no, go to step 2.

2. Is the beneficiary's address on the MBR in a foreign country (PCOC = 8)? If no, STOP.

   REASON: The MBR will not accept IDD information (RTN begins with 5, 6, or 7) unless the address is in a foreign country.

3. Is the beneficiary's account a U.S. dollar account at an FI in Hong Kong? If yes, STOP.

   REASON: IDD payments to Hong Kong are sent in local currency, not U.S. dollars. The account must be a local currency account (Hong Kong dollars).

4. Code the type of account as Checking.

5. Code the Routing and Transit Number field as follows:

   • Start with 71, the prefix assigned to the processor bank in Hong Kong.

   • Code the 6-digit bank/branch code.

   • Code the U.S. check digit. Obtain the U.S. check digit by using the Check Digit program on Title II/Interactive Comps.

6. Code the Depositor Account Number as follows:

   • Start with H, the letter assigned to show that the FI is in Hong Kong.

   • Code the account number of 6 to 9 digits. Do not code any hyphens if it will make the account number over 9 digits.

D. Example

A signup form for Hong Kong contains the following information:

Bank/branch code 123456. Account Number 123456789.

• The RTN will be 711234563. (The final digit, 3, is the U.S. check digit for 71123456.)

• The DAN will be H123456789.

E. Exhibit - IDD Enrollment Form for Hong Kong

To view this form, go to SSA-1199-OP26.