I just heard on SWR1 radio ( news report, German, Dec 20, 2011, 8 PM ) that the EU will have unified bank account numbers by 2014. It will be a 22 digit IBAN (International Bank Account Number) that will be valid throughout the EU. This will greatly simplify bank transfers between EU countries for private and business use. The 22 digit number will be composed for instance in Germany of the letters "DE" (for Germany), the bank identification number, the account number, plus a verification number.
The news is so new in fact that I couldn't find it on any news outlet web page yet. :D
The news is so new in fact that I couldn't find it on any news outlet web page yet. :D