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USSD Codes for Bank Transfers in Nigeria

As online payments continue to gain popularity, many people are opting for electronic methods over traditional bank transactions. Mobile banking apps, virtual banking, and mobile money services are just a few of the innovations that make digital payments seamless and efficient.

One notable trend in this evolution is USSD banking. This service is especially useful for those in remote areas or those without internet access, allowing them to perform transactions using simple USSD codes. With USSD banking, users can shop, pay bills, seek assistance, and send money without needing an internet connection.

In this article, we will explore what USSD banking is, how it operates, and its advantages. Additionally, we’ll provide a comprehensive list of USSD transfer codes for Nigerian banks to help you manage your transactions easily.

What is USSD Banking and How Does It Work?

USSD stands for “Unstructured Supplementary Service Data.” Developed by the GSM Association in the early 1990s, USSD is a technology that facilitates communication between a mobile phone and a network provider.

USSD banking leverages this technology to provide financial services such as money transfers, bill payments, and airtime top-ups. It’s a cost-effective, secure, and convenient way to access banking services using your mobile phone, even without an internet connection.

USSD banking is particularly beneficial in regions where internet access is limited or for users with older mobile phones. It offers a reliable solution for many people, particularly in developing countries. In Nigeria, most traditional and digital banks have adopted USSD codes to streamline their financial services.

How Does USSD Banking Operate?

USSD banking operates through a shortcode that enables two-way communication between the user and the bank. When you dial the shortcode, you receive a menu of options that guide you through various banking services. To use USSD banking, you need to activate the code on your mobile phone and use the phone number linked to your bank account.

For most banks, you must be registered with the bank to use USSD banking services. Additionally, you need to set up a 4 or 5-digit PIN to authorize transactions, which helps protect your account from unauthorized access. Be cautious with your PIN, and avoid storing it on your phone or using easily guessable numbers.

Benefits of USSD Banking

  • Easy Account Opening: USSD banking simplifies account opening, allowing you to create a bank account without extensive paperwork or minimum balance requirements.
  • No Bank Queues: USSD banking eliminates the need to visit a bank branch, saving you time and avoiding long queues.
  • 24/7 Financial Access: You can use USSD banking to pay bills, transfer money, and check balances at any time.
  • No Internet Required: Unlike online banking, USSD banking doesn’t incur internet fees. All you need is a mobile phone with network coverage.

List of USSD Codes for Nigerian Banks

Here’s a list of USSD codes for various Nigerian banks to help you perform transactions quickly:

  1. Access Bank: *901#
  2. ALAT Bank: *945#
  3. Ecobank: *326#
  4. FCMB: *329#
  5. Fidelity Bank: *770#
  6. First Bank: *894#
  7. GTBank: *737#
  8. Heritage Bank: *745#
  9. Keystone Bank: *7111#
  10. Polaris Bank: *833#
  11. Stanbic IBTC Bank: *909#
  12. Sterling Bank: *822#
  13. UBA: *919#
  14. Union Bank: *826#
  15. Unity Bank: *7799#
  16. Wema Bank: *945#
  17. Zenith Bank: *966#

Detailed USSD Codes for Banking Services

The table below outlines various USSD codes for different banks to help you with transactions, including transfers, bill payments, and balance checks.

USSD banking is a secure and efficient way to manage your finances, offering a practical solution for those with limited internet access. Use the codes provided to streamline your banking experience and make transactions more convenient.

How to Use USSD Codes for Various Banking Services

Here’s how to utilize USSD codes for different banking activities across Nigerian banks:

  1. *Access Bank (USSD Code: 901#)
    • Airtime Top-Up for Self: 901Amount#
    • Airtime Top-Up for Others: 901Amount*Phone Number#
    • Deactivate Account: 901911#
    • Pay Bills: 9013#
    • Transfer to Other Banks: 9012AMOUNTNUBAN Account Number#
    • Transfer to Access Account: 9011AMOUNTNUBAN Account Number#
    • Check Balance: 90100#
    • Account Opening/PIN Change: 9010#
  2. *ALAT Bank (USSD Code: 945#)
    • Airtime Top-Up for Self: 945Amount#
    • Airtime Top-Up for Others: 945Phone Number*Amount#
    • Check Balance: 9450#
    • Transfer to ALAT Account: 945Account Number*Amount#
    • Transfer to Other Banks: 945Account Number*Amount#
  3. *Ecobank (USSD Code: 326#)
    • Airtime Top-Up for Self: 326Amount#
    • Airtime Top-Up for Others: 326Amount*Phone Number#
    • Check Balance: 3260#
    • Pay Bills: *326#
    • Transfer to Ecobank Account: *326#
    • Transfer to Other Banks: *326#
  4. *Fidelity Bank (USSD Code: 770#)
    • Airtime Top-Up for Self: 770Amount#
    • Airtime Top-Up for Others: 770PHONE*AMOUNT#
    • ATM Cardless Withdrawal: 7708*AMOUNT#
    • Block Account: 77008012345678#
    • Block Card: 770911#
    • Block Phone from USSD Banking: 770911*08012345678#
    • Change PIN: 77000#
    • Check Balance: 7700#
    • Pay Bills: *770#
    • Transfer to Fidelity Account: 770ACCOUNT*AMOUNT#
    • Transfer to Other Banks: 770ACCOUNT*AMOUNT#
    • Update BVN: 77002#
  5. *FCMB (USSD Code: 329#)
    • Airtime Top-Up for Self: 329Amount#
    • Airtime Top-Up for Others: 329Amount*Mobile Number#
    • Block USSD Profile or Bank Account: 329911#
    • Buy Data: 3291*Mobile Number#
    • Check Balance: 32900#
    • Pay Bills: 3292AmountSmartcard Number# or 3293AmountMeter No#
    • Reset PIN: 3290#
    • Transfer to FCMB Account/Other Banks: 329Amount*Account Number#
  6. *First Bank (USSD Code: 894#)
    • Account Opening: 8940#
    • Airtime Recharge for Self: 894Amount#
    • Airtime Recharge for Others: 894Amount*Phone Number#
    • Check Balance: 89400#
    • Deactivate Your Mobile Number: 894911#
    • Mini-Statement: 894Account Number#
    • Register for USSD Banking: 8940#
    • Transfer to First Bank/Other Bank Accounts: 894Amount*Account Number#
  7. *GTBank (USSD Code: 737#)
    • Account Opening: 7370#
    • Airtime Top-Up for Self: 737Amount#
    • Airtime Top-Up for Others: 737Amount*Recipient’s Number#
    • Check Balance/BVN: 7376*1#
    • Create PIN: 7375#
    • Data Top-Up: 7374#
    • Make Enquiries: 7376#
    • Reactivate Account: 73711#
    • Transfer to GTBank Account: 7371AmountNUBAN Account Number#
    • Transfer to Other Banks: 7372AmountNUBAN Account Number#
  8. *Heritage Bank (USSD Code: 745#)
    • Airtime (Self): 745Amount#
    • Airtime (Third Party): 745Amount*Mobile Number#
    • Balance Enquiry: 7450#
    • Bet9ja Top-Up: 745222Bet9ja User IDAmount#
    • Block Account: 74511#
    • Change USSD PIN: 74500#
    • Transfer to Heritage Bank Account: 7451AmountAccount Number#
    • Transfer to Other Banks: 7452AmountAccount Number#
    • LCC Payment: 745000*522+etagNo+100#
    • Pay with USSD (on POS/Web): 745000*RefCode#
    • USSD Registration With ATM Card: 745Account Number*Last 6 Digits of Card#
    • USSD Registration Without ATM Card: 745Account Number#
  9. *Keystone Bank (USSD Code: 7111#)
    • Check Account Balance: 711100#
    • Change Your Default Top-Up Account: 7111AcctNo#
    • Mobile Data Top-Up: 71115#
    • Panic Code: 7111911#
    • Pay Bills: 71112#
    • Recharge for Others: 7111Amount*Phone Number#
    • Recharge Your Phone: 7111Amount#
    • Send Money: 7111Amount*NUBAN Account Number#
    • USSD Registration: 71110#
  10. *Polaris Bank (USSD Code: 833#)
    • Airtime Top-Up for Self: 833Amount#
    • Airtime Top-Up for Others: 833Amount*Phone Number#
    • Check Balance: 8336#
    • Opening Account: 8331#
    • Pay Bills: 8332#
    • Pay With MasterPass: 8337#
    • Transfer to Polaris Account/Others: 833Amount*Account Number#
    • Update BVN: 8335#
  11. *Stanbic IBTC Bank (USSD Code: 909#)
    • Airtime Top-Up for Self: 909Amount#
    • Airtime Top-Up for Others: 909Amount*Phone Number#
    • Check Balance: 9091*1#
    • Transfer to Stanbic Account: 90911AmountAccount Number#
    • Transfer to Other Banks: 90922AmountAccount Number#
  12. *Sterling Bank (USSD Code: 822#)
    • Airtime Top-Up for Self: 822Amount#
    • Airtime Top-Up for Others: 822Amount*Phone Number#
    • Check Balance: 8226#
    • Register for USSD Service: 8221*NUBAN#
    • Transfer to Sterling Account: 8224AmountAccount Number#
    • Transfer to Other Banks: 8225AmountAccount Number#
  13. *UBA (USSD Code: 919#)
    • Airtime Top-Up for Self: 919Amount#
    • Airtime Top-Up for Others: 919Phone Number*Amount#
    • ATM Cardless Withdrawal: 91930*Amount#
    • Check Balance: 91900#
    • Load UBA Prepaid Card: 91932#
    • Pay Bills: 9195#
    • Transfer to UBA Account: 9193Account NumberAmount#
    • Transfer to Other Banks: 9194Account NumberAmount#
  14. *Union Bank (USSD Code: 826#)
    • Airtime Top-Up for Self: 826Amount#
    • Airtime Top-Up for Others: 826Amount*Recipient’s Mobile Number#
    • Check Balance: *826#
    • Create PIN: 8265#
    • Register: *826#
    • Transfer to Union Account: 8261AmountAccount Number#
    • Transfer to Other Banks: 8262AmountAccount Number#
  15. *Unity Bank (USSD Code: 7799#)
    • Airtime Top-Up for Self: 7799Amount#
    • Airtime Top-Up for Others: 7799Amount*Phone Number#
    • Check Balance: 77990#
    • Pay Bills: 77991#
    • Transfer to Unity Bank: 77991AmountAccount Number#
    • Transfer to Other Banks: 77992AmountAccount Number#
  16. *Wema Bank (USSD Code: 945#)
    • Airtime Top-Up for Self: 945Amount#
    • Airtime Top-Up for Others: 945Phone Number*Amount#
    • Check Balance: 94500#
    • Pay Bills: 9451#
    • Transfer to Wema Bank: 9452AmountAccount Number#
    • Transfer to Other Banks: 9453AmountAccount Number#
  17. *Zenith Bank (USSD Code: 966#)
    • Airtime Top-Up for Self: 966Amount#
    • Airtime Top-Up for Others: 966Amount*Phone Number#
    • Check Balance: 96600#
    • Mini-Statement: 9665#
    • Transfer to Zenith Bank Account: 9661AmountAccount Number#
    • Transfer to Other Banks: 9662AmountAccount Number#

Security Tips for USSD Banking

  1. Use Strong PINs: Avoid using easily guessable PINs and change them periodically to enhance security.
  2. Avoid Sharing Codes: Never share your USSD codes or PINs with anyone.
  3. Monitor Your Account: Regularly check your account for any unauthorized transactions and report them immediately.
  4. Keep Your Phone Secure: Ensure that your mobile phone is protected with a password or PIN to prevent unauthorized access.

Conclusion

USSD banking offers a convenient and accessible way to manage your finances, particularly for those without internet access. By utilizing the USSD codes provided, you can perform a range of banking transactions quickly and efficiently. Remember to follow security best practices to protect your financial information and ensure a smooth banking experience.

Feel free to bookmark this guide for quick reference, and stay updated with your bank’s latest USSD services and codes.

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