UBA SWIFT Code: UNAFNGLA for International Transfers
The UBA SWIFT code is an important banking detail you may need when sending or receiving an international bank transfer through United Bank for Africa (UBA) in Nigeria. If you are receiving money from another country into your UBA account, the sender or sending bank may ask for your bank’s SWIFT or BIC code together with your account details.
For United Bank for Africa Plc in Nigeria, the SWIFT code published by UBA is UNAFNGLA. This code identifies UBA for international payments and helps financial institutions route cross-border transfers to the correct bank. UBA’s own Nigeria SWIFT transfer document uses UNAFNGLA for receiving international transfers into UBA Nigeria.
What Is the UBA SWIFT Code?
The UBA SWIFT code for Nigeria is UNAFNGLA. SWIFT codes are also known as BIC codes, which means Bank Identifier Code. They are used by banks and financial institutions to identify one another when processing international payments.
A SWIFT code is different from your normal UBA account number. Your account number identifies your individual account, while the SWIFT code identifies the bank involved in an international transfer.
If someone outside Nigeria wants to send money directly to your UBA account, they may need information such as your full name, UBA account number, bank name, bank address, purpose of payment and the applicable SWIFT code. The exact information required can depend on the sending bank, currency, transfer route and type of payment.
UBA’s internet banking instructions also show that international transfers can require beneficiary information, the beneficiary bank’s name and address, SWIFT code and other banking details where applicable.
UBA SWIFT Code in Nigeria
| Bank | SWIFT/BIC Code | Country |
|---|---|---|
| United Bank for Africa Plc | UNAFNGLA | Nigeria |
The code above is the UBA Nigeria SWIFT code published by the bank for international transfers. Always confirm the required beneficiary information before a transfer is initiated, especially when a large amount of money is involved.
What Does UNAFNGLA Mean?
SWIFT and BIC codes are normally made up of eight or eleven characters. The UBA Nigeria code UNAFNGLA contains eight characters.
The characters identify different parts of the banking institution and its location. In simplified terms, the first four characters identify the bank, the next two identify the country, and the final two identify the location.
- UNAF identifies United Bank for Africa.
- NG represents Nigeria.
- LA identifies the location code used in the BIC.
It is important not to modify the code yourself. If a bank, payment platform or remittance provider asks for the UBA SWIFT code, enter the code exactly as required by the institution handling your transfer.
What Is a SWIFT Code Used For?
A SWIFT code is primarily used to identify a bank during international financial transactions. When money moves between banks in different countries, the institutions involved need reliable information about where the payment should go.
For example, imagine that a person living in the United Kingdom wants to send money to a UBA account in Nigeria. The sending bank may request the recipient’s name, account number, bank name and SWIFT code. The SWIFT code helps identify UBA as the beneficiary bank.
The code does not identify the individual customer. Instead, it identifies the financial institution. The beneficiary’s account number and name are used alongside the bank identification information to determine the final recipient.
This is why providing only a SWIFT code is normally not enough to receive money. The sender will usually need additional information about the beneficiary and the account.
How to Receive Money Into a UBA Account From Abroad
If someone wants to send money from another country to your UBA account in Nigeria, the process normally starts with obtaining the correct receiving information from the beneficiary.
The sender may be asked to provide the following:
- Beneficiary’s full name
- UBA account number
- Name of the beneficiary bank
- UBA SWIFT code
- Bank or branch information where required
- Beneficiary’s address where required
- Purpose of the payment
- Currency and amount of the transfer
- Intermediary bank information where applicable
UBA’s published international transfer information specifically includes the beneficiary account number, beneficiary name, beneficiary address and UBA branch information for incoming foreign-currency payments.
The sending bank may also request additional information depending on its own compliance requirements. Therefore, you should not assume that every international transfer will require exactly the same form or information.
Does UBA SWIFT Code Work for International Transfers?
Yes. The UBA Nigeria SWIFT code is used for international banking transactions involving UBA Nigeria. UBA provides instructions for international transfers through its banking services, including information about beneficiary details, bank details and SWIFT transfers.
However, the SWIFT code itself does not guarantee that a transfer will be completed. International payments can involve several financial institutions, compliance checks and intermediary banks.
A payment may travel through an intermediary or correspondent bank before reaching the beneficiary bank. This can depend on the currency, originating country, payment route and relationships between the financial institutions involved.
UBA SWIFT Code for Receiving Dollars
If you are receiving US dollars from abroad into a UBA account in Nigeria, the sender may need to provide UBA’s SWIFT code together with the beneficiary’s account information.
UBA’s published Nigeria SWIFT document provides instructions for receiving USD payments through a correspondent bank. The document identifies UNAFNGLA as the UBA Nigeria SWIFT code and provides additional correspondent-bank information for the particular USD payment route described in the document.
Because correspondent banking arrangements and payment instructions can change, do not rely on old payment instructions when sending a large international transfer. Confirm the current instructions with UBA or the receiving branch before the payment is initiated.
UBA SWIFT Code for Euro Transfers
Euro transfers can also require a SWIFT or BIC code. UBA’s published Nigeria SWIFT document gives instructions for receiving EUR transfers and identifies UNAFNGLA as the UBA Nigeria SWIFT code. The document also identifies a correspondent banking route for the euro payment instructions it describes.
The important point is that the SWIFT code identifies UBA Nigeria, while the intermediary or correspondent bank may be involved in moving the funds between the sending institution and UBA.
If you are receiving euros, ask the sender to follow the current instructions provided by the sending bank and confirm any additional information required by UBA for the particular transaction.
Is UBA SWIFT Code the Same as UBA Account Number?
No. The UBA SWIFT code and UBA account number serve completely different purposes.
The SWIFT code identifies the bank for an international payment, while the account number identifies the customer’s account at the bank.
For example, a sender may need both the following types of information:
- Bank: United Bank for Africa Plc
- SWIFT/BIC: UNAFNGLA
- Beneficiary: The recipient’s full name
- Account number: The recipient’s UBA account number
Using the correct combination is important because entering the correct bank code with an incorrect account number can still cause a payment problem.
Is UBA SWIFT Code the Same as UBA Sort Code?
No. A SWIFT code and a sort code are different banking identifiers.
A SWIFT code is mainly associated with international banking and cross-border payments. A sort code is a different type of bank identifier used within particular banking systems and payment networks.
When completing an international transfer form, you should provide the information requested for each field rather than entering the same code into every banking-identification field.
UBA’s foreign-currency transfer form separates the SWIFT code from other banking information such as sort code and ABA or CHIPS information.
Do You Need a UBA SWIFT Code to Receive Money in Nigeria?
Not necessarily. Whether you need a SWIFT code depends on how the money is being sent.
A domestic transfer from another Nigerian bank generally does not use a SWIFT transfer in the same way as an international bank payment. If someone is sending money from one Nigerian bank to your UBA account through a domestic payment system, the sender will normally use the appropriate Nigerian banking details requested by their bank.
On the other hand, a person sending money internationally through a bank may be asked for the receiving bank’s SWIFT or BIC code.
This distinction is important because people sometimes search for a SWIFT code when they actually need information for a domestic transfer.
Can Someone Send Money to UBA With Only the SWIFT Code?
No. A SWIFT code normally identifies the bank, not the individual beneficiary.
If someone wants to send money to your UBA account, they will generally need your account details in addition to the bank’s international identifier. Depending on the payment route, they may also need your name, address, purpose of payment and other information.
Sending only the SWIFT code would not tell the bank which UBA customer’s account should receive the money.
What Information Should You Give Someone Sending Money to Your UBA Account?
The safest approach is to obtain the exact receiving instructions required for your particular UBA account and the currency being sent.
Depending on the transfer, the sender may need:
- Your full name as registered with UBA.
- Your UBA account number.
- The bank name: United Bank for Africa Plc.
- The UBA Nigeria SWIFT code: UNAFNGLA.
- Your address if requested.
- The bank address or branch information if requested.
- The purpose of the payment.
- Correspondent or intermediary bank details where required.
UBA’s internet banking guidance similarly lists beneficiary information, beneficiary bank information, SWIFT code and other details among the requirements for transfers.
What Is an Intermediary Bank?
An intermediary bank is a financial institution that can help route an international payment between the sending bank and the receiving bank.
International payments do not always travel directly from the sender’s bank to the recipient’s bank. Depending on the currency and banking relationships involved, one or more intermediary institutions may participate in the transaction.
This is one reason an international transfer form may contain a separate section for an intermediary bank. UBA’s foreign-currency transfer form includes fields for an intermediary bank, including its address, SWIFT code and other banking identifiers where applicable.
If the sender’s bank requires intermediary-bank information, it is better to obtain the current instructions from UBA rather than guessing which correspondent bank should be used.
How Long Does a UBA International Transfer Take?
The time required for an international transfer can vary. There is no single processing time that applies to every transfer.
Factors that can affect the timing include the sending bank, receiving bank, currency, intermediary banks, weekends, public holidays, compliance checks and the information supplied with the payment.
A transfer can also be delayed if the beneficiary information is incomplete or does not match the details held by the receiving bank.
For this reason, a sender should carefully review all information before authorising an international payment.
Are There Fees for UBA International Transfers?
International transfers can involve charges. The exact amount can depend on the type of transfer, currency, payment route and applicable banking charges.
There can also be charges associated with intermediary or correspondent banks. UBA’s internet banking information explains that customers can select who bears the correspondent bank charge when using its international transfer process.
This means that the amount received by the beneficiary may not always be exactly the same as the amount originally sent, depending on the applicable charges and payment arrangement.
Before sending a large amount internationally, check the applicable fees and ask whether intermediary charges may be deducted from the payment.
Why Is My UBA International Transfer Delayed?
There are several possible reasons why an international transfer may not arrive immediately.
- Incorrect beneficiary information
- Incorrect account number
- Incorrect SWIFT or banking details
- Missing payment information
- Compliance or verification checks
- Intermediary bank processing
- Weekend or public-holiday processing
- Currency-related processing requirements
- Problems at the sending bank
If a transfer has been sent but has not arrived within the expected period, the sender should normally contact the sending bank first. The sender’s bank can investigate the payment using the transaction reference and determine where the payment is in the banking chain.
What Happens If You Enter the Wrong UBA SWIFT Code?
Entering incorrect banking information can cause an international payment to be delayed, rejected or returned. The outcome depends on what information was entered and whether the incorrect details correspond to another valid financial institution.
This is why you should not guess a SWIFT code based on information found on an old document or an unrelated website.
For UBA Nigeria, the bank’s published SWIFT document identifies UNAFNGLA.
If your transfer involves a particular UBA branch, currency or intermediary-bank arrangement, confirm whether additional instructions are required before sending the payment.
Does Every UBA Branch Have a Different SWIFT Code?
You should not assume that every UBA branch has a completely different SWIFT code. SWIFT/BIC arrangements depend on how the bank’s international payment infrastructure is organised.
For UBA Nigeria, the published bank document identifies UNAFNGLA for United Bank for Africa Plc in Nigeria. If a sender specifically asks for a branch-specific code, the correct approach is to obtain the required information directly from UBA rather than creating or modifying the code.
UBA SWIFT Code and UBA Internet Banking
UBA supports international transfers through its banking services. Its internet banking guidance explains that customers can initiate SWIFT transfers and that beneficiary and bank information must be completed before the transaction is authenticated.
For international transfers through UBA’s online banking platform, the customer may need to select the account to debit, enter beneficiary information, provide bank information and specify other transfer details.
UBA states that its international transfer process uses domiciliary accounts for the relevant foreign currencies and that the selected account must be in the same currency as the transfer.
Can You Receive Money From Abroad Into a UBA Domiciliary Account?
Yes, UBA provides foreign-currency banking services, and its international transfer information covers receiving foreign-currency payments into UBA accounts.
A domiciliary account can be useful for customers who receive or hold eligible foreign currencies. However, the specific requirements for receiving money can depend on the currency, transaction type and applicable banking regulations.
If you are expecting an international payment, provide the sender with the exact receiving instructions applicable to your account. Do not assume that instructions for one currency automatically apply to another.
UBA SWIFT Code for International Business Payments
Businesses may also need the UBA SWIFT code when receiving payments from international customers, companies or partners.
For example, a Nigerian business providing services to a foreign client may be asked to supply its bank’s SWIFT/BIC code, account number and beneficiary information before an international payment can be made.
Businesses should ensure that the beneficiary name and account information match the records associated with the receiving account. They may also need to provide an invoice, payment purpose or other supporting information depending on the nature of the transaction.
How to Avoid Problems When Receiving an International Payment
The easiest way to reduce avoidable payment problems is to verify the information before the sender initiates the transfer.
First, confirm the beneficiary’s full name and account number. Next, confirm the bank name and SWIFT code. If the sending institution asks for an address, branch, intermediary bank or purpose of payment, provide the appropriate information rather than leaving required fields incomplete.
Also check the currency. A payment being sent in USD, EUR, GBP or another foreign currency may follow a different correspondent banking route.
Finally, keep the transaction reference or payment confirmation supplied by the sender. This information can be useful if the payment needs to be traced.
UBA SWIFT Code vs BIC Code
SWIFT code and BIC code are terms that are often used interchangeably in international banking.
When a payment platform asks for a BIC, it is generally asking for the bank identifier used for the international payment. For UBA Nigeria, the published code is UNAFNGLA.
Therefore, someone searching for the UBA BIC code for Nigeria may be looking for the same banking identifier commonly referred to as the UBA SWIFT code.
Frequently Asked Questions About UBA SWIFT Code
What is UBA Nigeria’s SWIFT code?
The UBA Nigeria SWIFT code published by United Bank for Africa is UNAFNGLA.
What bank does UNAFNGLA belong to?
UNAFNGLA is the SWIFT code published for United Bank for Africa Plc in Nigeria.
Is UNAFNGLA a UBA account number?
No. UNAFNGLA is a SWIFT/BIC code used to identify the bank for international transactions. Your personal UBA account number is separate.
Can I use the UBA SWIFT code to receive money from another country?
Yes. The SWIFT code is used as part of the information required for international bank transfers involving UBA Nigeria. The sender will normally need additional beneficiary and account information.
Does the UBA SWIFT code identify my personal account?
No. It identifies the bank. Your account number and beneficiary details identify the particular account that should receive the payment.
Do I need a SWIFT code for a normal Nigerian bank transfer?
Usually, a domestic Nigerian transfer does not require a SWIFT transfer in the same way as an international bank payment. The required information depends on the payment system being used.
Can I use a UBA Nigeria SWIFT code for another UBA country?
You should not assume that the Nigeria code applies to another country where UBA operates. UBA publishes separate SWIFT information for several countries. The correct code depends on the UBA banking entity receiving the payment.
What should I do if a foreign bank asks for additional UBA details?
Provide the information requested by the sending institution only after confirming the details with UBA where necessary. International payment requirements can vary according to the sending bank, currency and transfer route.
Final Note on the UBA SWIFT Code
If you are looking for the UBA SWIFT code for Nigeria, the code published by United Bank for Africa is UNAFNGLA. It is used to identify UBA Nigeria during international banking transactions.
However, the SWIFT code is only one part of an international payment. A successful transfer may also require the correct beneficiary name, UBA account number, bank information, address, currency, payment purpose and, where applicable, intermediary-bank details.
Before receiving or sending a large international payment, verify the complete payment instructions rather than relying on the SWIFT code alone. This is particularly important because correspondent banking arrangements, fees and transfer requirements can change over time.
UBA provides official information and support for customers who need assistance with banking transactions. If you are unsure about the correct information for a specific international transfer, confirm the details with UBA before the payment is sent.
