First Bank Nigeria SWIFT Code: FBNINGLA, FBNINGLAXXX & International Transfer Guide
If you are receiving money from another country into a First Bank of Nigeria account, the sender may need the bank’s SWIFT or BIC code. The main SWIFT/BIC associated with First Bank of Nigeria Limited is FBNINGLA.
The 11-character head-office representation is FBNINGLAXXX. The main listed address associated with this BIC is First Bank’s location at 35 Marina, Samuel Asabia House, Lagos.
First Bank Nigeria SWIFT Code at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Bank | First Bank of Nigeria Ltd |
| 8-character SWIFT/BIC | FBNINGLA |
| 11-character head-office BIC | FBNINGLAXXX |
| City | Lagos |
| Listed address | 35 Marina, Samuel Asabia House, Lagos |
What Is FBNINGLA?
FBNINGLA is the eight-character BIC for First Bank of Nigeria Ltd. It is used to identify the bank in international payment messaging.
The code is not a personal account number. A sender still needs the beneficiary’s correct account details.
What Does FBNINGLAXXX Mean?
FBNINGLAXXX is the 11-character head-office representation of the First Bank BIC. The final XXX indicates the head-office form rather than a separately identified branch.
This is why you may see both FBNINGLA and FBNINGLAXXX in international banking directories.
Breaking Down the First Bank SWIFT Code
- FBNI — bank identifier.
- NG — Nigeria.
- LA — location identifier.
- XXX — head-office identifier.
First Bank Head Office SWIFT Information
The listed head-office address associated with FBNINGLAXXX is 35 Marina, Samuel Asabia House, Lagos, Nigeria.
The address is useful for identifying the institution, but payment instructions should always follow the current information supplied by the bank or the sending institution.
How to Receive Money From Abroad Into First Bank
A sender may need:
- Beneficiary’s full name.
- First Bank account number.
- First Bank of Nigeria Ltd as the receiving bank.
- FBNINGLA or the required 11-character BIC.
- Beneficiary bank address.
- Payment purpose or reference where applicable.
The sending bank can request additional compliance information depending on the transaction.
Does First Bank Have Branch-Specific SWIFT Codes?
Some BIC directories list additional service or branch records associated with First Bank. However, you should not assume that every First Bank physical branch has a unique SWIFT code.
If your international transfer provider asks specifically for a branch-level BIC, confirm the exact code for the relevant account or service.
First Bank SWIFT Code for International Wire Transfers
For an international wire, the SWIFT/BIC tells the payment network which financial institution should receive the payment. It does not replace the beneficiary account number.
For example, the sender may enter:
- Beneficiary: the customer’s name.
- Account number: the customer’s First Bank account number.
- Bank: First Bank of Nigeria Ltd.
- SWIFT/BIC: FBNINGLA or the specified 11-character code.
SWIFT Code vs First Bank Sort Code
A Nigerian sort code and SWIFT/BIC serve different purposes. A sort code is associated with domestic Nigerian banking operations, while a SWIFT/BIC is used for international financial messaging.
If an international transfer form specifically asks for SWIFT/BIC, entering a domestic sort code in that field can cause problems.
Common First Bank SWIFT Code Errors
- Writing FBNINGLA incorrectly.
- Using a different FirstBank entity’s BIC.
- Confusing the SWIFT code with the beneficiary’s account number.
- Using an unverified branch-specific code.
- Entering the wrong beneficiary name.
What Happens If the SWIFT Code Is Wrong?
A wrong BIC can cause a transfer to be delayed, rejected or returned. If a payment has already been sent with incorrect information, the sender should contact the originating bank immediately.
The faster the sending bank receives notice of an error, the sooner it can investigate the payment.
Do Nigerian First Bank Accounts Have IBAN Numbers?
Nigeria does not use an IBAN-based domestic account-numbering system in the same manner as many European countries. A sender should therefore use the exact Nigerian beneficiary information requested by the bank handling the transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is First Bank Nigeria’s SWIFT code?
The main eight-character BIC is FBNINGLA.
What is First Bank’s 11-character SWIFT code?
The head-office form is FBNINGLAXXX.
Where is the First Bank SWIFT code based?
The main listed address is 35 Marina, Samuel Asabia House, Lagos, Nigeria.
Can I use FBNINGLA to receive international money?
It is the main bank-level BIC for First Bank Nigeria. The sender should still follow the beneficiary’s current transfer instructions.
Is FBNINGLA the same as a First Bank account number?
No. FBNINGLA identifies the bank; the account number identifies the customer’s account.
Final Takeaway
First Bank of Nigeria’s main SWIFT/BIC is FBNINGLA, while FBNINGLAXXX is the 11-character head-office form. For international payments, the correct BIC should be submitted together with the beneficiary’s accurate account and personal details.