Subbranches have the same sorting code as the main bank office, but to uniquely identify them they have a two-digit suffix after the sorting code. Furthermore routing information as specified by ISO 9362 does not contain check digits, so simple errors of transcription were not detectable and it was not possible for a sending bank to validate the routing information prior to submitting the payment. Banks in Northern Ireland can be part of either the British or the Irish clearing system, depending on their country of registration.