The Alternative Bank SWIFT Code Nigeria: ATTNNGLA, BIC and International Transfers
The Alternative Bank Limited has a SWIFT/BIC used for identifying the Nigerian bank in applicable international payment transactions. Its eight-character code is ATTNNGLA, while the eleven-character head-office form is ATTNNGLAXXX.
The Alternative Bank is a Nigerian financial institution, and customers receiving money from outside the country may be asked to supply its SWIFT code together with their account details and other payment information.
The Alternative Bank SWIFT Code
| Bank detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Bank | The Alternative Bank Limited |
| 8-character BIC | ATTNNGLA |
| 11-character BIC | ATTNNGLAXXX |
| Bank code | ATTN |
| Country | NG |
| Location | LA |
| Listed city | Lagos |
| Listed address | 239 Obanikoro St. Ikorodu Road, Lagos |
Which Alternative Bank SWIFT Code Should You Use?
For the standard eight-character form, the code is ATTNNGLA.
For the eleven-character head-office form, use ATTNNGLAXXX when that format is required.
Current public BIC records list the eleven-character code at 239 Obanikoro Street, Ikorodu Road, Lagos.
Understanding ATTNNGLA
The code follows the normal BIC structure:
- ATTN identifies The Alternative Bank Limited.
- NG identifies Nigeria.
- LA identifies the location component.
Adding XXX gives the head-office version.
What Is a SWIFT Code Used For?
A SWIFT/BIC allows banks participating in international payments to identify the financial institution involved in a transaction.
It is especially relevant when funds are moving between banks in different countries.
A customer of The Alternative Bank may need the code when receiving an international business payment, foreign-currency transfer or other eligible cross-border transaction.
Receiving an International Payment
Imagine a Nigerian business banking with The Alternative Bank has just completed a contract for an overseas customer.
The foreign customer asks for the beneficiary’s banking information. The Nigerian business provides:
- Its registered account name.
- Account number.
- The Alternative Bank Limited as the beneficiary bank.
- Applicable SWIFT/BIC.
- Bank address where required.
- Currency and payment instructions.
If the sender’s bank requests an eight-character BIC, the beneficiary-bank code is ATTNNGLA. If eleven characters are required and the head-office code applies, use ATTNNGLAXXX.
Why the Account Number Is Still Required
The SWIFT code identifies the financial institution. It does not identify the customer’s account.
Therefore, ATTNNGLA cannot normally be used as a substitute for the beneficiary’s account number.
Does The Alternative Bank Have Branch-Specific SWIFT Codes?
Current public listings show the head-office BIC ATTNNGLAXXX and do not establish a separate code for every physical branch.
Some BIC databases may describe the eleven-character code as a branch code because the BIC standard uses the final three characters for that purpose. In the case of XXX, however, those characters indicate the head office.
If The Alternative Bank supplies a transaction-specific BIC, that verified code should take precedence over assumptions based on the branch address.
Correspondent Banks Can Have Different BICs
An international payment may pass through an intermediary or correspondent institution. That bank can have a completely different SWIFT/BIC from The Alternative Bank.
This is normal in cross-border payments.
The beneficiary should therefore distinguish between:
- The Alternative Bank’s beneficiary-bank BIC.
- A correspondent bank’s BIC.
- The customer’s account number.
SWIFT and Domestic Transfers
Someone sending money from one Nigerian bank to an Alternative Bank account normally does not need SWIFT. Domestic Nigerian payments are handled through local banking systems.
ATTNNGLA becomes relevant when the transaction involves international banking channels.
Common Errors to Avoid
- Writing ATTNNGLA incorrectly.
- Using the BIC as the beneficiary’s account number.
- Confusing an intermediary bank’s BIC with the beneficiary bank’s BIC.
- Inventing a branch suffix.
- Using an outdated address.
- Failing to check the currency-specific payment instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Alternative Bank SWIFT code?
The eight-character BIC is ATTNNGLA.
What is The Alternative Bank 11-character SWIFT code?
The head-office version is ATTNNGLAXXX.
Where is The Alternative Bank listed?
Current BIC records list 239 Obanikoro Street, Ikorodu Road, Lagos.
Is ATTNNGLA an account number?
No. It is the bank’s international identifier.
Do I need SWIFT for a transfer from another Nigerian bank?
Normally, no. SWIFT is principally relevant to international banking transactions.
Conclusion
The Alternative Bank Limited uses ATTNNGLA as its eight-character SWIFT/BIC, with ATTNNGLAXXX as the eleven-character head-office form. When receiving an international transfer, the code should be supplied together with the beneficiary’s account information and the bank’s current payment instructions.