What Is the Heritage Bank USSD Codes? *745# Guide for 2026
If you searched for the Heritage Bank USSD code, you probably found the number *745#. For years, that short code let Heritage Bank customers check balances, buy airtime and send money from any phone, even one without internet. Many people still search for it today.
Before you dial anything, you need to know one important fact. The Central Bank of Nigeria revoked Heritage Bank’s banking licence on 3 June 2024, and the bank is in liquidation. That changes what this code means in 2026.
This guide explains what *745# was, what it could do, what has happened since, and what to do if you still have money or questions connected to a Heritage account. Everything here is written to protect you from wasted time and from scams.
What the Heritage Bank USSD code was
USSD stands for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data. It is the technology behind codes that start with a star and end with a hash. You dial the code like a phone number, a menu appears, and you reply with numbers. No app and no data bundle is needed.
Heritage Bank launched *745# as its self-service channel. The bank described it as a service that needs neither a smartphone nor internet access, which made it useful for people in areas with weak data coverage.
Is the *745# code still working?
You should not expect it to work as a banking service. When the Central Bank withdrew the licence, the bank stopped operating as a bank. A bank that is closed cannot process transfers, airtime purchases or balance checks, so live banking through this code is not available.
Do not keep dialling *745# and entering your PIN or account details on any menu that appears. If a menu or message asks for personal details and claims to be Heritage Bank, treat it as suspicious.
A short timeline of what happened
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Earlier years | Heritage Bank offered USSD banking on *745# |
| 3 June 2024 | The Central Bank revokes the bank’s licence |
| June 2024 | The deposit insurer is appointed liquidator and starts verification |
| June 2024 onwards | Insured deposits up to the legal limit begin to be paid |
| April 2025 | Payments to depositors above the insured limit begin through liquidation dividends |
| January 2026 | A second liquidation dividend of about ₦24.3 billion is declared |
| August 2026 | The insurer reports that about 700,000 customers have been paid their insured deposits |
What *745# used to do
The service covered the everyday tasks that most customers needed. These were the main functions, as the bank described them while it operated.
| Task | Code format that was used |
|---|---|
| Check balance | *745*0# |
| Transfer to another Heritage account | *745*1*Amount*AccountNumber# |
| Buy airtime for your own number | *745*Amount# |
| Buy airtime for someone else | *745*Amount*MobileNumber# |
| Change your USSD PIN | *745*00# |
The menu offered other options as well, such as registration and extra payment services. We list only the core codes here, because the service is no longer live and details may have changed.
Why these codes are useful to know only for history
Knowing the old format helps you understand old messages, statements or screenshots. If a relative shows you a screenshot of a *745# transaction from before 2024, you can read it and know what was happening. It does not mean the code will work today.
What to do if you still have a Heritage account
Your money is not lost just because the bank closed. The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, known as NDIC, took over as liquidator and has been paying depositors. The way you are paid depends on the size of your balance and whether the NDIC has an alternative bank account for you.
| 1 | Find your Bank Verification Number, since payments are matched to it. |
| 2 | Check whether you have another bank account linked to your BVN. |
| 3 | If you do, watch that account for credits from the NDIC. |
| 4 | If you do not, visit the nearest NDIC office with your identification and proof of your account. |
| 5 | Alternatively, use the claim form on the NDIC website. |
| 6 | Keep copies of everything you submit. |
Insured deposits and amounts above the limit
The NDIC pays insured deposits up to ₦5 million per depositor. For balances above that amount, the NDIC pays liquidation dividends as it recovers loans and sells the bank’s assets. Dividends are paid in stages, which is why you may hear about a first and a second payout.
How payments reach you
The NDIC has said that payments go to your alternative bank account, found through your BVN. If you have no other account or you did not link a BVN, you need to claim in person or through the e-claim route. Do not ask a stranger to claim for you.
Watch out for scams
When a bank closes, scammers move in. They use the confusion to steal from people who are waiting for their money.
Real claims do not need you to pay a fee. Never send money to speed up your payment.
Anyone who sends a new code and says it is the Heritage Bank code is lying. The bank is closed.
Do not click links in messages that ask for your BVN, PIN or card details.
People who offer to retrieve your money for a fee are almost always fraudsters.
What to use instead of *745#
If you need USSD banking, use the code of the bank where your money is now. Every active bank in Nigeria has its own code. Check your bank’s official app, website or branch for the correct one. Never copy a code from a random message or social media post.
How to set up USSD banking at a new bank
- Open or confirm an account at a licensed bank.
- Link your BVN and your phone number to it.
- Ask the bank for its USSD code and registration steps.
- Set a USSD PIN you will remember but nobody can guess.
- Test with a small transaction before you rely on it.
Keep your BVN safe
Your BVN links all your accounts. Anyone who has it and your phone number can try to impersonate you. Share it only with your bank and official agencies. It is useful to check with your bank that your phone number and email are correct on the BVN record.
Handling old Heritage debit cards and apps
Old Heritage debit cards no longer work for payments or cash withdrawals. Cut up the card and keep the number private. If you still have the old mobile app on your phone, uninstall it. Delete any screenshots that show your account number or PIN.
If you owe Heritage Bank money
A closed bank still has loans on its books, and the NDIC has said it is recovering outstanding loans. If you have a loan or an overdraft, do not ignore it. Contact the NDIC or the official liquidator’s channel to understand how to settle it. Do not pay anyone who simply claims to represent the bank.
How to confirm information safely
- Use official NDIC offices and its verified website.
- Call official numbers that you find yourself, not numbers sent to you.
- Ask for written confirmation of any payment or claim.
- Check the date of any news story before you act on it, since old stories get shared again.
Common mistakes people make
If a menu opens, do not trust it. Close it and do not enter your PIN.
Only use official channels to submit your information.
If you never claimed, visit an NDIC office or use the claim route.
If your payment is going to another bank account, keep it open until you have been paid.
What the error messages mean
If you dial an old bank code you may see messages such as Connection problem or invalid MMI code, or a short notice that the service is unavailable. These messages do not mean your phone is faulty. They usually mean the service behind the code is not running. Do not try to fix it by changing phone settings or buying data.
How USSD works, in simple words
When you dial a USSD code, your phone opens a short live session with the bank through your mobile network. The bank sends a menu, you reply, and the session closes after a short time. Because it does not store anything on your phone, it works on basic handsets. It is also why the bank must be running for the code to answer.
A glossary of words you will meet
| Word | Meaning in plain language |
|---|---|
| Licence revocation | The regulator withdraws a bank’s permission to operate |
| Liquidator | The official who collects the bank’s assets and pays what is owed |
| Insured deposit | The part of your balance the deposit insurer pays, up to the legal limit |
| Liquidation dividend | A later payment made from money recovered by the liquidator |
| BVN | A number that links all your bank accounts to your identity |
| Alternative account | Another bank account of yours where the insurer can send payment |
Documents to prepare for a claim
- A valid government identification.
- Proof that you owned the account, such as an account number, an old statement or a debit card.
- Your BVN and the phone number linked to it.
- The details of another bank account in your own name.
- A passport photograph, in case the office asks for it.
- Copies of everything, stored safely.
Take both the originals and a set of photocopies. Offices are busy, and having a complete folder saves time.
How to find your account details
If you cannot remember your account number, look for old SMS alerts, bank statements, cheque books, salary slips and debit cards. Your old alerts may show the last few digits. If your employer paid your salary into the account, the payroll office may keep the number on record.
Helping an older relative
Many older people used the *745# service because it was simple. If a parent or grandparent had a Heritage account, sit with them and explain what happened. Help them find their documents, go with them to the claim office and make sure the payment goes to an account that is safe and that they can use.
What about business accounts
Businesses that banked with Heritage may have had larger balances and more records. If you ran a business account, collect your cash book, invoices, bank statements and your registration documents. Large balances above the insured limit may receive dividends in stages, so keep your claim records for the long term.
How long can it take?
Insured payments started within days of the closure for people with an alternative account. Dividends for larger balances take longer because the liquidator must recover loans and sell assets first. This is why the payments came in stages in 2025 and 2026. Expect updates to be announced officially rather than through private messages.
Tips for staying safe on USSD with any bank
- Dial USSD codes only from the phone number registered with your bank.
- Never give your USSD PIN to anyone, including bank staff.
- Check each menu carefully before you confirm a transfer.
- Confirm the recipient name where the menu shows it.
- Report a lost SIM or phone to your bank and network at once.
- Review your alerts every day.
Keep your records
Keep a folder with your claim receipt, the date you visited, the name of the staff who helped you, and any reference number. If your payment is delayed, you can show what you submitted and when. Record keeping is boring, but it is the easiest way to avoid starting again.
Questions people ask
No. The bank is closed, so you should not expect it to process transfers.
Not necessarily. Insured deposits are paid by the NDIC, and larger balances may receive dividends.
No. Do not trust any message that claims otherwise.
At the nearest NDIC office or through the official claim form, with your identification and account proof.
Check the bank account linked to your BVN and ask the NDIC office to confirm the status of your claim.
Why people still search for this code
Search interest in closed banks continues for years. People change phones and find old notes with the code, relatives ask about accounts that were never claimed, and some customers simply want to know whether the service came back. A clear answer is better than guessing, which is why this guide states the status plainly.
One more reminder before you go
If you are unsure about any message, call or visitor who mentions Heritage Bank, stop and verify through an official NDIC office. Take your time. A genuine process never pressures you to act in minutes and never asks you to pay to receive your own money.
Final thoughts
The Heritage Bank USSD code *745# is part of the past. It once gave customers a quick way to bank from any phone, but the bank’s licence was revoked in June 2024, and the focus now is on paying depositors through the NDIC. If you have money to claim, use official routes only, protect your BVN and ignore anyone who promises quick results for a fee. If you want USSD banking again, choose an active bank and use its own verified code.
