Always remove spaces and convert to uppercase before validation—IBANs are case-insensitive and commonly written with spacing for readability. Normalize input before applying the mod-97 algorithm to avoid false negatives.
Validate country code separately: Check if the two-letter code is a recognized IBAN country. Not all countries use IBAN (USA, Canada, Australia don't), so clearly communicate this to users entering non-IBAN accounts.
Don't confuse validation with existence: The mod-97 check only verifies mathematical correctness, not whether the account actually exists at a bank. For real account verification, use bank verification APIs or micro-deposit confirmation.
Consider additional validation layers: Check IBAN registry for country-specific rules, verify bank code format against national standards, and optionally use BIC/SWIFT code lookup to cross-reference bank information with the IBAN.