Access Bank SWIFT Code in Nigeria: ABNGNGLA, Transfer Details & How to Receive Money
If you are receiving money from another country into an Access Bank account in Nigeria, one of the banking details you may be asked to provide is the Access Bank SWIFT code. The SWIFT or BIC code identifies the receiving bank when an international bank transfer is being processed.
For Access Bank Plc in Nigeria, the commonly used SWIFT code is ABNGNGLA. The 11-character head-office representation is ABNGNGLAXXX. Access Bank itself publishes ABNGNGLA in its foreign inflow instructions for international payments into Access Bank Nigeria.
Access Bank SWIFT Code at a Glance
| Bank | SWIFT/BIC Code |
|---|---|
| Access Bank Plc | ABNGNGLA |
| 11-character head-office form | ABNGNGLAXXX |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Location | Lagos, Nigeria |
What Is the Access Bank SWIFT Code?
The Access Bank SWIFT code used for international transfers to the Nigerian bank is ABNGNGLA. SWIFT codes are also called BICs, or Business Identifier Codes. They are used by financial institutions to identify banks during cross-border payments.
An international sender may request the SWIFT code together with the recipient’s full name, Nigerian Access Bank account number, bank address and other information required by the sending bank.
Access Bank’s published inflow instructions identify ABNGNGLA as the beneficiary bank SWIFT code for USD, GBP and EUR inflows into Access Bank Nigeria.
What Does ABNGNGLA Mean?
The code can be separated into four parts:
- ABNG — identifies Access Bank.
- NG — identifies Nigeria.
- LA — identifies the location component of the BIC.
That produces the eight-character BIC ABNGNGLA.
When an 11-character version is required, three additional characters identify the branch or office. XXX is commonly used to represent the primary or head-office location, giving ABNGNGLAXXX.
Is ABNGNGLA the Same as ABNGNGLAXXX?
They represent the same underlying Access Bank BIC at different lengths. The eight-character form is ABNGNGLA, while ABNGNGLAXXX is the 11-character head-office representation.
You should not automatically add random three-letter or three-character combinations to an eight-character BIC. A branch-specific BIC should only be used when it has been supplied or verified for the relevant banking service or branch.
How to Receive Money From Abroad Into Access Bank
If someone outside Nigeria wants to send money to your Access Bank account, the sender’s bank will normally request information about you and your Nigerian bank account.
Depending on the transfer route and currency, the sender may need:
- Your full name as it appears on your bank account.
- Your Access Bank account number.
- The name of the receiving bank: Access Bank Plc.
- The Access Bank SWIFT/BIC code.
- The bank’s address or other beneficiary-bank information.
- The purpose or reference for the payment where required.
The sending bank may also request intermediary or correspondent-bank information. Do not guess these details. International payment instructions can vary according to currency, sending country, transfer provider and payment route.
Access Bank SWIFT Code for USD Transfers
Access Bank’s published inflow instructions use ABNGNGLA as the beneficiary bank SWIFT code for USD inflows. The same document provides correspondent-bank details for particular USD transfer arrangements.
This means that a sender should not confuse Access Bank’s beneficiary SWIFT code with the SWIFT code of an intermediary bank. The intermediary bank is involved in routing the payment, while ABNGNGLA identifies Access Bank as the beneficiary bank.
Access Bank SWIFT Code for GBP and EUR
Access Bank also publishes ABNGNGLA for GBP and EUR inflows. The correspondent bank can be different depending on the currency and transfer arrangement.
This distinction matters because a payment instruction can contain several banking identifiers. If the sender’s bank gives you a specific correspondent-bank instruction, use the information provided for that particular transfer rather than replacing it with another bank’s SWIFT code.
Does Every Access Bank Branch Have a Different SWIFT Code?
Not necessarily. SWIFT/BIC structures can contain branch identifiers, but not every physical branch necessarily has its own separately used BIC for customer transfers.
For ordinary international payments, the relevant bank-level BIC may be sufficient. If the sending institution specifically asks for an 11-character branch BIC, confirm the correct code with Access Bank rather than creating one from the branch name or location.
SWIFT Code vs Access Bank Sort Code
A SWIFT code and a Nigerian sort code serve different purposes.
| Identifier | Main purpose |
|---|---|
| SWIFT/BIC | Identifies a financial institution for international payments. |
| Sort code | Identifies a Nigerian bank and branch within the domestic banking system. |
| Account number | Identifies the customer’s account. |
Therefore, an international sender should not substitute an Access Bank sort code for the SWIFT code when the sending bank specifically requests a SWIFT/BIC.
Common Mistakes When Using the Access Bank SWIFT Code
- Entering a different bank’s SWIFT code.
- Confusing the beneficiary bank’s BIC with an intermediary bank’s BIC.
- Typing ABNGNGLA incorrectly.
- Using an unverified branch-specific BIC.
- Entering the wrong beneficiary account number.
- Using a beneficiary name that does not match the account information.
- Assuming every international payment uses exactly the same correspondent bank.
What Happens If the Wrong SWIFT Code Is Used?
An incorrect SWIFT/BIC can cause a payment to be delayed, rejected, returned or routed for additional investigation. The outcome depends on the payment route and the information entered by the sender.
If a transfer has already been sent with incorrect information, the sender should contact the sending bank immediately. International transfers can involve multiple institutions, so correcting a payment after it has been sent may take time.
Do You Need an IBAN to Send Money to Access Bank Nigeria?
Nigeria does not use IBANs in the same way as countries that operate an IBAN-based domestic account-numbering system. A sender should therefore follow the exact beneficiary information requested by the sending bank or payment provider.
Do not create an IBAN by combining an Access Bank account number with the SWIFT code. An account number and a SWIFT/BIC are separate identifiers.
How to Confirm the Access Bank SWIFT Code Before a Transfer
Because international banking instructions can change, confirm the payment details before a large transfer. Access Bank provides international transfer information through its banking channels and published payment instructions.
If a sender is preparing a transfer for you, give them the exact instructions supplied by Access Bank for your account and the relevant currency. This is safer than relying solely on a third-party SWIFT directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Access Bank Nigeria’s SWIFT code?
The commonly used Access Bank Nigeria SWIFT/BIC code is ABNGNGLA.
What is the 11-character Access Bank SWIFT code?
The head-office representation is ABNGNGLAXXX, where XXX represents the head office.
Can I use ABNGNGLA to receive money from abroad?
Yes. Access Bank publishes ABNGNGLA as its beneficiary bank SWIFT code for international inflows. The sender may need additional beneficiary and correspondent-bank information depending on the transfer.
Is ABNGNGLA the same as a sort code?
No. ABNGNGLA is a SWIFT/BIC used for international banking communication and payments. A sort code is a different Nigerian banking identifier.
Can I invent an 11-character Access Bank SWIFT code from ABNGNGLA?
No. Do not invent a branch identifier. The head-office form is represented as ABNGNGLAXXX, while any actual branch-specific BIC should be confirmed before use.
Final Takeaway
The Access Bank Nigeria SWIFT code is ABNGNGLA, with ABNGNGLAXXX representing the 11-character head-office form. For international transfers, the SWIFT code is only one part of the payment instruction. The sender should also enter the correct beneficiary name, Access Bank account number and any correspondent-bank information required for the particular currency and transfer route.