Jaiz Bank SWIFT Code in Nigeria: JAIZNGLA and JAIZNGLAXXX

If you need to send money to a Jaiz Bank account in Nigeria from another country, one of the banking details you may be asked to provide is the bank’s SWIFT or BIC code. For Jaiz Bank Plc, the publicly listed eight-character SWIFT/BIC is JAIZNGLA, while the corresponding 11-character head-office form is JAIZNGLAXXX.

The code identifies Jaiz Bank within the international banking network. It is different from the Nigerian bank code used for domestic transfers, and it should not be replaced with an account number, sort code, or another local banking identifier.

What is Jaiz Bank’s SWIFT code?

Jaiz Bank’s publicly listed SWIFT/BIC code is JAIZNGLA. The 11-character version is JAIZNGLAXXX.

The eight-character version identifies the institution and its location. The additional three characters in the 11-character version identify a branch or service. In the case of a code ending in XXX, the suffix conventionally identifies the primary or head-office location.

What does JAIZNGLA mean?

The code can be separated into four sections:

• JAIZ identifies Jaiz Bank.
• NG identifies Nigeria.
• LA is the location identifier used in the BIC.
• XXX, when added, represents the primary or head-office form of the BIC.

This structure is why JAIZNGLA and JAIZNGLAXXX refer to the same banking institution rather than being two completely unrelated codes.

When do you need the Jaiz Bank SWIFT code?

You normally need a SWIFT/BIC when a payment is being routed internationally through banks. For example, someone in the United Kingdom may need Jaiz Bank’s BIC when arranging a transfer to a Nigerian beneficiary. A business receiving an overseas payment may also be asked for the bank’s international banking details.

The exact information requested depends on the sending bank, country, currency and payment route. Some payment providers also request correspondent-bank information in addition to the beneficiary bank’s SWIFT/BIC.

Information the sender may need

A sender should not assume that the SWIFT code alone is sufficient. International transfers commonly require several pieces of information, including:

• The beneficiary’s full name.
• The beneficiary’s Jaiz Bank account number.
• The name of the receiving bank.
• The bank’s SWIFT/BIC code.
• The bank or branch address where requested.
• The amount and currency being sent.
• The purpose or payment reference where required.
• Intermediary or correspondent-bank details when required for the particular currency or transfer route.

Because international transfer requirements can change according to the payment corridor, the safest approach is to obtain the receiving instructions directly from Jaiz Bank or from the account holder before initiating a large transfer.

Can JAIZNGLA be used instead of JAIZNGLAXXX?

An eight-character BIC and an 11-character BIC can represent the same institution. The eight-character code is the core BIC, while the 11-character version adds a branch or service identifier.

Where a payment form specifically requests an 11-character BIC, use the complete code supplied by the receiving bank. Where the receiving bank gives JAIZNGLA as its required BIC, do not add a branch suffix simply because the form allows 11 characters. If the payment instructions specify JAIZNGLAXXX, use that exact form.

Is Jaiz Bank SWIFT code the same as its Nigerian bank code?

No. These are different banking identifiers designed for different purposes.

The SWIFT/BIC identifies a financial institution for international banking communications and payments. A Nigerian bank code is used within domestic Nigerian banking systems. The beneficiary’s account number is another separate identifier.

Using the wrong identifier can cause an international payment to be delayed or rejected, so the sender should enter each detail in the correct field.

Does Jaiz Bank have branch-specific SWIFT codes?

A bank can have additional BICs for branches or specific services, but a branch code should never be guessed. The publicly listed JAIZNGLA and JAIZNGLAXXX should be treated as the relevant codes unless the receiving bank supplies a different branch-specific instruction.

If the beneficiary says that a particular Jaiz Bank branch or department has provided another BIC, verify that code before sending the payment.

How to receive an international transfer into Jaiz Bank

If someone outside Nigeria wants to pay you into your Jaiz Bank account, ask Jaiz Bank for the current international receiving instructions applicable to your account and currency. Give the sender the beneficiary information exactly as supplied by the bank.

Do not alter the spelling of the account holder’s name, substitute a different bank code or assume that every currency follows the same correspondent route.

Common Jaiz Bank SWIFT mistakes

• Typing JAIZNGLA incorrectly.
• Adding an unverified branch suffix.
• Using a domestic Nigerian bank code where a SWIFT/BIC is requested.
• Entering the beneficiary’s name incorrectly.
• Sending the wrong currency.
• Leaving out intermediary-bank information when the sending bank requires it.
• Relying on an old payment instruction without confirming that it is still valid.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Jaiz Bank SWIFT code in Nigeria?

The publicly listed eight-character BIC is JAIZNGLA. The 11-character head-office form is JAIZNGLAXXX.

Is JAIZNGLA an 8-character code?

Yes. JAIZNGLA contains eight characters and is the core BIC.

What is JAIZNGLAXXX?

JAIZNGLAXXX is the 11-character form of the Jaiz Bank BIC with the XXX head-office suffix.

Can I use the code for an international transfer?

The BIC is used for international banking payments, but the sender should also obtain the beneficiary’s complete receiving instructions, including any correspondent-bank information required for the currency.

Is SWIFT the same as an account number?

No. The SWIFT/BIC identifies the bank, while the account number identifies the beneficiary’s account.