Banking in Nigeria has evolved over the years, with technological advancements simplifying financial transactions. For seamless banking, it’s essential to understand the various codes used by banks. This article covers all you need to know about Nigerian banks’ sort codes, USSD codes, and Swift codes.
Understanding Bank Codes
Sort Codes
A sort code is a unique identifier assigned to each bank branch in Nigeria. It’s a 9-digit number used for routing financial transactions accurately.
USSD Codes
Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) codes are quick codes used to perform banking transactions on mobile phones without internet access. They offer a convenient way to check balances, transfer funds, and pay bills.
Swift Codes
A Swift code (or BIC) is an international standard for identifying banks across the globe. It’s an 8 or 11-character code used for international money transfers.
List of Nigerian Banks with Sort Codes, USSD Codes, and Swift Codes
Here is a comprehensive table of major Nigerian banks, their sort codes, USSD codes, and Swift codes:
| S/N | Bank Name | Branch Location | Sort Code | USSD Code | Swift Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Access Bank | Head Office, Lagos | 044150149 | *901# | ABNGNGLA |
| 2 | Access Bank | Marina, Lagos | 044150016 | *901# | ABNGNGLA |
| 3 | Citibank | Lagos | 023150005 | N/A | CITINL2X |
| 4 | Ecobank | Wuse II, Abuja | 050150103 | *326# | ECOCNGLA |
| 5 | Fidelity Bank | Ikoyi, Lagos | 070150007 | *770# | FIDTNGLA |
| 6 | First Bank of Nigeria | Head Office, Lagos | 011151003 | *894# | FBNINGLA |
| 7 | First City Monument Bank | Marina, Lagos | 214150018 | *329# | ZEIBNGLA |
| 8 | Guaranty Trust Bank | Head Office, Lagos | 058152043 | *737# | GTBINGLA |
| 9 | Polaris Bank | Victoria Island, Lagos | 076150003 | *833# | POLINGLA |
| 10 | Stanbic IBTC Bank | Walter Carrington, Lagos | 221150014 | *909# | SBICNGLX |
| 11 | Standard Chartered Bank | Victoria Island, Lagos | 068150013 | N/A | SCBLNGLA |
| 12 | Sterling Bank | Head Office, Lagos | 232150667 | *822# | MBFNNGLA |
| 13 | Union Bank of Nigeria | Marina, Lagos | 032080001 | *826# | UBNINGLA |
| 14 | United Bank for Africa | Head Office, Lagos | 033150030 | *919# | UNAFNGLA |
| 15 | Wema Bank | Marina, Lagos | 035150103 | *945# | WEMANGLA |
| 16 | Zenith Bank | Head Office, Lagos | 057150013 | *966# | ZEIBNGLA |
| 17 | Heritage Bank | Ikoyi, Lagos | 030159992 | *745# | HBCLNGLA |
| 18 | Keystone Bank | Victoria Island, Lagos | 082150017 | *7111# | PLNNNGLA |
| 19 | Unity Bank | Head Office, Abuja | 215150001 | *7799# | ICITNGLA |
| 20 | Jaiz Bank | Abuja | 301080020 | 389301# | JAIZNGLA |
| 21 | SunTrust Bank | Victoria Island, Lagos | 100150003 | N/A | SUTBNGLA |
| 22 | Providus Bank | Lagos | 101150015 | N/A | PRVDNGLA |
| 23 | Globus Bank | Victoria Island, Lagos | 103080003 | N/A | GLBNNGLA |
| 24 | Taj Bank | Abuja | 302150017 | N/A | TAJNNGLA |
| 25 | Coronation Merchant Bank | Lagos | 559080005 | N/A | CMBCNGLA |
| 26 | FSDH Merchant Bank | Lagos | 400080001 | N/A | FSDHNGLA |
| 27 | Nova Merchant Bank | Victoria Island, Lagos | 562080004 | N/A | NOVANGLA |
| 28 | Rand Merchant Bank, Nigeria | Lagos | 569080001 | N/A | RMBCNGLA |
Using Sort Codes, USSD Codes, and Swift Codes
Sort Codes
Sort codes are used primarily for local transactions within Nigeria. When you need to transfer money or make payments to a specific branch, knowing the correct sort code ensures the funds are routed correctly.
USSD Codes
USSD codes provide a quick and easy way to access banking services on your mobile phone. Here’s how you can use them:
- Check Account Balance: Dial the bank’s USSD code and follow the prompts.
- Transfer Funds: Use the USSD code to transfer money to another account.
- Pay Bills: Pay utility bills and other services via USSD codes.
- Buy Airtime: Recharge your phone or someone else’s using the USSD code.
Swift Codes
Swift codes are essential for international transactions. When you need to receive money from abroad, providing the correct Swift code of your bank ensures that the funds are transferred to the right account.
Conclusion
Understanding the various codes used by Nigerian banks is crucial for efficient and error-free banking. Sort codes, USSD codes, and Swift codes each serve specific purposes, whether for local transactions, convenient mobile banking, or international money transfers. Use this guide as a reference to streamline your banking activities and ensure smooth financial operations.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s always best to contact your bank directly or visit their official website.
This article is designed to be informative and useful for anyone looking to understand and use Nigerian bank codes effectively.