Heritage Banking Company Nigeria USSD Codes
Heritage Banking Company is the name many Nigerians still use for Heritage Bank. People who search for its USSD codes are usually looking for one thing: the *745# service that let customers bank from any phone. Some want to use it. Others have found an old note and wonder if it still works.
This guide explains the Heritage Banking Company USSD codes in plain language and then tells you the part that most pages leave out. The Central Bank of Nigeria revoked the bank’s licence on 3 June 2024, and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, called the NDIC, has been paying depositors since then.
So the codes tell a story about the past, and the rest of this page tells you what to do in the present.
Who is Heritage Banking Company?
Heritage Bank was a commercial bank in Nigeria that served individuals, traders and businesses through branches, cards, a mobile app and USSD. It was licensed by the Central Bank, like every other bank, and its depositors were covered by the deposit insurance scheme operated by the NDIC.
The bank had 2.3 million depositors when it closed, according to the insurer, and almost all of them held balances below the insured limit of ₦5 million.
Key facts at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Regulator that revoked the licence | Central Bank of Nigeria |
| Date of revocation | 3 June 2024 |
| Reason given | Failure to improve its financial performance |
| Liquidator | Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation |
| Insured limit per depositor | ₦5 million |
| Number of depositors reported | About 2.3 million |
| Main USSD code | *745# |
| Is the USSD service a working bank channel today? | No |
The Heritage Banking Company USSD code
The bank’s USSD code was *745#. It did not need a smartphone or internet access, and customers used it from basic handsets across the country. The bank introduced it as part of its drive to make banking easier, and later promoted it along with its upgraded mobile app, HB Padie.
Codes people remember
| Task | Code format |
|---|---|
| Check balance | *745*0# |
| Transfer inside Heritage | *745*1*Amount*AccountNumber# |
| Airtime for yourself | *745*Amount# |
| Airtime for another number | *745*Amount*MobileNumber# |
| Change USSD PIN | *745*00# |
These formats are kept here only so that you can recognise them on old messages and receipts. Do not use them to try to move money.
Why the codes stopped working
USSD banking is a live connection between your phone and the bank’s computer systems. A licensed bank runs those systems. When the licence was withdrawn, the bank stopped operating, and so did the services that depended on it. This is the same reason an old Heritage debit card will not work in a shop or an ATM.
Other Heritage channels also ended
- Branch banking and cash deposits.
- Debit cards and card payments on terminals.
- The mobile app and internet banking.
- Agent services and any partner arrangements.
- Cheques and direct debits.
What happened to depositors
The NDIC took over as liquidator and began verifying and paying insured deposits within days. It paid depositors who had alternative accounts through their BVN, and it opened routes for those without one. Larger balances were handled through liquidation dividends, which started later and continue in stages.
| Stage | What it covered | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Insured deposits | Balances up to ₦5 million | Started in June 2024 |
| First dividend | Balances above the insured limit | Disbursement began in April 2025 |
| Second dividend | Balances above the insured limit | About ₦24.3 billion declared in January 2026 |
| Ongoing recovery | Loans and assets | Payments depend on recoveries |
Which route applies to you?
| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| You have another bank account linked to your BVN | Watch that account and confirm details with your active bank |
| You have no other account | Visit the nearest NDIC office or use the official claim form |
| Your balance was above ₦5 million | Keep your records and wait for dividend announcements |
| You are claiming for a relative | Ask the NDIC office what extra documents are needed |
| You owe the bank a loan | Contact the liquidator through official channels |
If you have an alternative account
| 1 | Confirm that your BVN is linked to the account. |
| 2 | Check that your phone number and name are correct at that bank. |
| 3 | Keep the account open and active. |
| 4 | Watch for credits from the insurer and keep the alerts. |
| 5 | If nothing arrives, contact the insurer with your details. |
If you have no alternative account
| 1 | Open an account at an active bank and link your BVN. |
| 2 | Prepare identification and proof of your Heritage account. |
| 3 | Go to the nearest NDIC office or use the official claim form. |
| 4 | Submit your details and collect a receipt. |
| 5 | Follow up in writing if the payment does not arrive. |
What to take to the NDIC office
- A valid identification card.
- Your account number or any old statement.
- Your BVN and phone number.
- Details of an active account in your name.
- A photocopy of every document.
Fake codes and adverts
Every time a bank closes, people look for new ways to use its name. You may see adverts for a new Heritage Bank USSD code, a recovery service or a special deadline. Treat them all as dangerous. A real process does not ask for a fee, does not rush you and does not send you to a private account.
They promise to speed up your claim for a fee. Do not pay.
They claim the code has been changed. The bank is closed.
They copy the look of an official page. Always check the address yourself.
How to verify a USSD code for any bank
- Check your bank’s official app or card leaflet.
- Ask a branch staff member and write the code down.
- Test with a small amount.
- Never act on a code sent to you in an unknown message.
- Remember that closed banks have no live codes.
USSD, app or agent: which suits you?
| Channel | Needs data? | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| USSD | No | Quick checks on any phone | Wrong menu choices and SIM swaps |
| Mobile app | Yes | Full banking with receipts | Fake apps |
| Agent | No | Cash in and cash out | Fake agents and fees |
| Branch | No | Complex requests | Queues |
Rules for safe USSD banking
- Use only the SIM linked to your account.
- Keep your PIN secret.
- Read each menu before you confirm.
- Delete messages that show your PIN.
- Report a lost phone at once.
Mistakes to avoid after a bank closure
You need an open account to receive payment.
Unpaid loans do not disappear. Ask the liquidator how to settle them.
Only share it with a bank or an official office.
Wait for official statements.
Reading old Heritage messages and receipts
You may still have old alerts on your phone or a printed receipt from a *745# transaction. These messages usually show the amount, the date and part of the account number. They can help you remember your account details and prove that you held an account. Back them up as screenshots and keep them in a folder with your identification.
How deposit insurance works
Deposit insurance is a safety net. Every licensed bank pays into a fund run by the insurer, and when a bank fails, the insurer pays depositors up to a set limit. It does not remove every loss, which is why people with very large balances are advised to spread money across banks. For most customers, the insurer’s payment covers the whole balance.
How to check that a bank is licensed
- Look at the list of licensed banks published by the Central Bank.
- Check that the bank is a member of the deposit insurance scheme.
- Be careful with new apps that look like banks but are not.
- Ask the bank for its licence details if you are unsure.
Doing this before you open an account takes a few minutes and protects you from future trouble.
Open a new account step by step
| 1 | Choose a licensed bank with a branch or agent near you. |
| 2 | Carry your identification, your BVN and your phone number. |
| 3 | Complete the forms and give a clean photograph if asked. |
| 4 | Set up transaction alerts on the phone you use every day. |
| 5 | Register for USSD and the mobile app, and set separate PINs. |
| 6 | Test a small transfer before you move more money. |
Move your salary and regular payments
Tell your employer’s finance team your new account details in writing. Ask landlords, school offices and clients to confirm the new details on a phone call. Update subscriptions and standing orders one at a time, and keep a list so that nothing is missed. Do this early, because delays can cause missed payments.
Think about a second account
Many careful savers keep two accounts at two different banks. If one app is down or one bank has a problem, the other still works. A second account also gives the insurer a different route if you ever need to be paid. It is not about distrust. It is about being prepared.
Protect your SIM card
USSD banking depends on your SIM. If someone takes over your number through a SIM swap, they can try to use your accounts. Keep your SIM registration details safe, set a PIN on your SIM if your phone allows it, and tell your network and bank at once if your phone stops getting signal for no reason. Never share OTP codes or your PIN.
What to tell vulnerable relatives
Elderly people, students and rural customers are often targeted. Sit with them, explain the closure in simple words, and set up one trusted person who can go with them to the office. Remind them that nobody official collects payment for a claim and nobody sends a code by message to restore the old service.
How long should you expect to wait?
Insured payments were quick for many people, especially those whose BVN matched an alternative account. Dividends are slower because the insurer must recover money first. If you have not been paid, do not assume the worst. Check with the insurer’s office, keep your claim receipt and look out for official announcements instead of rumours.
Rumours you may hear
Only an official announcement from the regulator matters.
A genuine claim does not need payment.
Claims can be made through offices across the country and through the official form.
There is no hidden schedule for a closed service.
Glossary for former customers
| Term | Plain meaning |
|---|---|
| Licence | Official permission for a bank to operate |
| Revocation | The regulator withdraws that permission |
| Liquidation | Winding up the bank and paying what is owed |
| Dividend | A share of recovered money paid to depositors |
| USSD | A star-and-hash code that opens a phone menu |
| BVN | A number that links your accounts to your identity |
A simple action plan for this week
- Find your identification, BVN and any old Heritage records.
- Check the account linked to your BVN at an active bank.
- Visit the nearest NDIC office, or submit the official claim form, if you have not been paid.
- Update your salary, rent and subscription details to your new account.
- Delete or ignore any message that offers a new Heritage Bank code.
- Tell one family member what you have learned.
Small steps taken calmly are better than a rush of calls and messages. Most problems with bank closures come from panic and from people who take advantage of it.
Why a clear status matters for readers
A guide that lists a USSD code without saying whether the bank still operates can send readers down the wrong path. They may dial an old code, hand over personal details to a stranger or give up on a claim they could still make. That is why every section of this page repeats the same simple message: the code is history, and the claim process is the part that still matters.
Questions people ask
No. The bank is closed, and the code should not be treated as a working banking service.
Many people use both names for the same bank.
Insured deposits up to ₦5 million are paid by the NDIC. Larger balances may receive dividends in stages.
No. Be careful with anyone who asks for a fee.
From the NDIC and from announcements it makes through its official channels.
If you are ever unsure whether a bank is open, call your own active bank or visit a branch and ask. Staff there can tell you whether a bank is licensed and active, and they can show you how to verify a code before you dial it.
Final thoughts
The Heritage Banking Company USSD code *745# was once a simple, useful tool for millions of customers. Today it is a reminder of how important it is to know the status of your bank. If you are still waiting for money, use the official NDIC route, keep your documents safe and move your daily banking to an active bank that has a verified code of its own.