Signature Bank SWIFT Code in Nigeria: SNIGNGLA, BIC and International Transfer Details
Signature Bank Limited is one of the Nigerian institutions for which people may search for a SWIFT code when arranging an international payment. The bank’s listed eight-character BIC is SNIGNGLA, while the eleven-character head-office form is SNIGNGLAXXX.
Because international payment forms can be confusing, it helps to separate the SWIFT identifier from the beneficiary’s account information and from domestic Nigerian bank codes.
Signature Bank SWIFT Code
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Bank | Signature Bank Limited |
| SWIFT/BIC | SNIGNGLA |
| 11-character BIC | SNIGNGLAXXX |
| Bank code | SNIG |
| Country code | NG |
| Location code | LA |
| Listed city | Abuja |
| Listed address | 31B, Plot 1707 Gana Street, Cadastral Zone A05, Maitama, Abuja |
How SNIGNGLA Is Structured
The BIC contains identifiable components:
- SNIG — Signature Bank’s institution identifier.
- NG — Nigeria.
- LA — location identifier.
The three-character XXX suffix creates the eleven-character head-office version.
When Signature Bank’s SWIFT Code Is Relevant
The BIC is relevant when the transaction is being processed through international banking channels. This can include overseas payments to a Nigerian customer, international business receipts and other cross-border banking transactions.
For a simple local transfer between Nigerian accounts, the sender normally uses domestic transfer information instead.
What an International Sender May Ask For
Imagine someone outside Nigeria wants to send funds to a Signature Bank customer. The sender’s bank may request several fields at once.
- Recipient’s full name
- Recipient’s account number
- Bank name
- SWIFT/BIC
- Bank address
- Currency
- Purpose of payment
- Intermediary-bank details where applicable
It is better for the beneficiary to provide a complete set of current instructions than to send the SWIFT code alone.
Eight Characters vs Eleven Characters
The two formats do not represent two completely different banks.
SNIGNGLA is the eight-character BIC. Adding XXX produces SNIGNGLAXXX, the head-office form.
The payment platform determines whether it wants eight or eleven characters. A sender should follow the field requirement rather than modifying the BIC unnecessarily.
What Does XXX Mean?
The XXX suffix can look suspicious to someone seeing a SWIFT code for the first time. In the BIC structure, however, it is simply a branch or office identifier. When it is used as XXX, it refers to the head office.
It is therefore not an indication that the code is incomplete.
Can You Use the Same Code for Every Signature Bank Branch?
You should not make that assumption without checking the bank’s current payment instructions.
Many banks use a central BIC for international payments even though they operate several physical branches. A branch-specific code exists only when the institution has actually assigned one.
SWIFT and Domestic Nigerian Transfers
SWIFT is primarily an international payment identifier. Nigerian domestic transfers use domestic payment infrastructure and bank/account identifiers.
| Purpose | Typical identifier |
|---|---|
| International bank identification | SWIFT/BIC |
| Customer account identification | Account number |
| Domestic bank identification | NIBSS/CBN bank identifier |
| Domestic branch/clearing identification | Sort code where applicable |
How a Transfer Can Be Delayed Even with the Correct BIC
A correct SWIFT code does not guarantee that a payment will arrive immediately. The payment can still be subject to compliance screening, intermediary-bank processing, incomplete beneficiary information or currency-specific requirements.
This is why a delayed transfer should not automatically be blamed on the SWIFT code.
Signature Bank SWIFT Code Example
Suppose an overseas customer is paying a Nigerian supplier that banks with Signature Bank. The supplier supplies its full account details and the current international payment instructions.
The overseas sender enters SNIGNGLA when the payment system asks for the eight-character beneficiary-bank BIC. If the system requires the eleven-character head-office version, the applicable representation is SNIGNGLAXXX.
The sender should also provide any intermediary-bank details supplied by the receiving bank.
Common Errors to Avoid
- Typing SNIGNGLA incorrectly.
- Confusing Signature Bank with another Nigerian institution.
- Using a domestic bank code where the form asks for SWIFT.
- Using the intermediary bank’s BIC as the beneficiary bank’s BIC.
- Forgetting the beneficiary account number.
- Assuming XXX is optional when the payment system specifically requires eleven characters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Signature Bank’s SWIFT code?
The listed eight-character SWIFT/BIC is SNIGNGLA.
What is Signature Bank’s 11-character SWIFT code?
The head-office form is SNIGNGLAXXX.
Where is the listed Signature Bank head office?
The current BIC listing gives an address in Maitama, Abuja.
Is SNIGNGLA used for domestic transfers?
It is primarily an international bank identifier. Domestic transfers normally use Nigerian domestic payment identifiers.
Does a SWIFT code identify my Signature Bank account?
No. It identifies the bank. Your account number identifies your individual account.
Final Takeaway
Signature Bank Limited’s listed SWIFT/BIC is SNIGNGLA, and the eleven-character head-office form is SNIGNGLAXXX. For international payments, combine the BIC with the beneficiary’s exact account information and any current correspondent-bank instructions supplied by the bank.