Unity Bank SWIFT Code Nigeria: ICITNGLA, BIC and International Transfer Details
Unity Bank Plc’s SWIFT/BIC is ICITNGLA, while the eleven-character head-office form is ICITNGLAXXX. The code is used to identify Unity Bank in international banking transactions.
Unity Bank is particularly important to discuss in more detail because its published information for domiciliary transfers shows that international payments can also involve correspondent and intermediary banks. Therefore, knowing ICITNGLA is useful, but it may not be the only banking identifier required for a foreign-currency payment.
Unity Bank SWIFT Code
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Bank | Unity Bank Plc |
| 8-character BIC | ICITNGLA |
| 11-character BIC | ICITNGLAXXX |
| Bank code | ICIT |
| Country | NG |
| Location | LA |
| Listed office | Plot 42, Unity Bank Building, Victoria Island, Lagos |
What Is ICITNGLA?
ICITNGLA is the eight-character SWIFT/BIC identifying Unity Bank Plc.
The structure is:
- ICIT — Unity Bank Plc.
- NG — Nigeria.
- LA — location.
When the head-office branch component is included, the code becomes ICITNGLAXXX.
Unity Bank Head Office Information
Current BIC records list Unity Bank Plc at Plot 42, Unity Bank Building, Victoria Island, Lagos.
When completing an international payment form, the bank address should match the current instructions supplied by the beneficiary or bank.
Receiving Money Into a Unity Bank Account
A person receiving money from another country should not send the SWIFT code alone.
The sender may need:
- Beneficiary’s full name.
- Unity Bank account number.
- Bank name.
- SWIFT/BIC.
- Bank address.
- Currency.
- Correspondent-bank information.
- Purpose of payment.
The exact information depends on the currency and payment route.
Why Unity Bank’s Correspondent Information Matters
Unity Bank publishes domiciliary-transfer instructions that include correspondent and intermediary banking arrangements for different currencies.
This means an international sender should not assume that the same routing information applies to every currency.
For example, a USD payment can have a different correspondent route from a GBP or EUR payment.
Unity Bank SWIFT Code vs Correspondent Bank SWIFT Code
These codes have different purposes.
| Code | Role |
|---|---|
| ICITNGLA | Identifies Unity Bank Plc |
| Correspondent BIC | Identifies the intermediary institution |
| Beneficiary account number | Identifies the recipient’s account |
Example: Receiving USD
Suppose a Nigerian business receives a USD payment from an overseas customer.
The business supplies its Unity Bank account information and the applicable international payment instructions. The sender’s bank identifies Unity Bank with ICITNGLA and follows the appropriate correspondent instructions for the USD route.
The beneficiary’s account number is still required so that the payment can be credited to the correct account.
Example: Receiving GBP or EUR
A different situation arises when the payment is denominated in GBP or EUR. The correspondent institutions and routing instructions can differ from those used for USD.
For that reason, a customer should not copy old USD payment instructions into a GBP or EUR transfer.
Does Unity Bank Have an 11-Character SWIFT Code?
Yes. The head-office form is ICITNGLAXXX.
The choice between the eight-character and eleven-character form depends on what the payment platform requests and whether a more specific branch BIC has been supplied.
Does Every Unity Bank Branch Have a Separate SWIFT Code?
A physical branch does not automatically have its own BIC. The current main record identifies the head-office form.
If Unity Bank supplies a specific branch or service BIC for a transaction, that verified code should be used.
SWIFT and Domestic Transfers
A normal Nigerian transfer to a Unity Bank account does not generally require SWIFT.
Domestic transfers use Nigeria’s local electronic payment infrastructure. ICITNGLA becomes relevant when the transaction is being processed internationally.
Common Unity Bank SWIFT Mistakes
- Using ICITNGLA as the beneficiary account number.
- Confusing Unity Bank’s BIC with a correspondent bank’s BIC.
- Using USD correspondent information for another currency.
- Assuming the head-office code is automatically the correct code for every transaction.
- Leaving out the beneficiary’s account number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Unity Bank’s SWIFT code?
The main eight-character BIC is ICITNGLA.
What is Unity Bank’s 11-character SWIFT code?
The head-office version is ICITNGLAXXX.
Where is Unity Bank listed?
Current BIC records list Plot 42, Unity Bank Building, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Why might an international transfer require another SWIFT code?
The additional code may belong to a correspondent or intermediary bank involved in processing the payment.
Does the correspondent information change by currency?
It can. Unity Bank’s published domiciliary-transfer information provides different correspondent arrangements for different currencies.
Conclusion
Unity Bank Plc’s SWIFT/BIC is ICITNGLA, with ICITNGLAXXX as the head-office form. When receiving international funds, the beneficiary should use the correct BIC together with the account number and the current currency-specific correspondent instructions.