Over the years, digital banking has rapidly evolved, transforming how we handle financial transactions. From mobile banking apps to internet-based banking services, the shift towards electronic payments has revolutionized convenience for many. However, one technology that has significantly improved access to banking, particularly in areas with limited internet coverage, is the USSD code system.
What is USSD Banking?
USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) is a communication protocol used by mobile networks to send short messages between mobile phones and application servers. It has been around since the early 1990s and has gained popularity for enabling banking services without requiring a smartphone or internet access.
This SMS-based banking service allows users to conduct essential financial activities like transferring funds, paying bills, recharging airtime, and checking balances—all from basic mobile phones. This makes USSD banking incredibly useful, particularly in regions where internet access is unreliable or unavailable.
How Does USSD Banking Work?
To utilize USSD banking, customers dial a specific shortcode assigned to their bank, followed by entering commands through a series of prompts on their screen. These prompts guide users to different banking options, such as making transfers or checking their account balance. To protect the transactions, users must create and secure a 4 or 5-digit PIN. This PIN is required for every transaction, offering an extra layer of security.
Even though it’s highly convenient, you should take precautions to keep your PIN secure to avoid unauthorized access to your account, as a stolen phone or compromised ATM card details could lead to breaches. Nonetheless, the benefits of USSD banking far outweigh its risks when proper security measures are taken.
Benefits of USSD Banking
- Quick Account Opening: With USSD codes, you can open a bank account without filling out paperwork or visiting a branch. All you need is a mobile phone and a registered SIM card.
- No Bank Queues: USSD banking saves you the time and hassle of standing in queues to perform basic banking activities like checking your balance or transferring funds.
- 24/7 Access: You can access banking services at any time, whether it’s transferring money, paying utility bills, or buying airtime—day or night.
- No Internet Required: Unlike internet banking, USSD banking is entirely independent of internet connectivity, saving you the cost of data charges.
- Inclusivity: USSD works on basic phones, making banking services accessible to a broader demographic, especially in underserved areas.
Complete List of Nigerian Banks and Their USSD Codes
Here’s a comprehensive list of Nigerian banks and their USSD codes to help you manage your financial transactions effortlessly, even when you’re offline.
| Bank | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Access Bank | *901# |
| ALAT Bank | *945# |
| Ecobank | *326# |
| FCMB | *329# |
| Fidelity Bank | *770# |
| First Bank | *894# |
| GTBank | *737# |
| Heritage Bank | *745# |
| Keystone Bank | *7111# |
| Polaris Bank | *833# |
| Stanbic IBTC | *909# |
| Sterling Bank | *822# |
| UBA | *919# |
| Union Bank | *826# |
| Unity Bank | *7799# |
| Wema Bank | *945# |
| Zenith Bank | *966# |
Detailed Transaction Codes for Each Nigerian Bank
Let’s go deeper into the personalized USSD transaction codes for each bank. These codes allow you to complete a variety of banking activities, such as transferring money, checking balances, and recharging airtime, with just a few clicks.
1. Access Bank USSD Code (*901#) for Easy Mobile Banking
| Transaction Type | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Airtime (Self) | *901*Amount# |
| Airtime (Others) | *901*Amount*Phone Number# |
| Transfer to Access Bank | *901*1*AmountAccount Number# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *901*2*AmountAccount Number# |
| Check Balance | *901*00# |
2. ALAT by Wema Bank USSD Code (*945#) for Quick Transactions
| Transaction Type | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Airtime (Self) | *945*Amount# |
| Airtime (Others) | *945*Phone Number*Amount# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *945*Account Number*Amount# |
| Check Balance | *945*0# |
3. Ecobank USSD Code (*326#) for Instant Banking
| Transaction Type | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Airtime (Self) | *326*Amount# |
| Airtime (Others) | *326*Amount*Phone Number# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *326*Amount# |
| Check Balance | *326*0# |
4. Fidelity Bank USSD Code (*770#) for Seamless Banking
| Transaction Type | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Airtime (Self) | *770*Amount# |
| Airtime (Others) | *770*Phone Number*Amount# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *770*Account*Amount# |
| Check Balance | *770*0# |
| Block Card | *770*911# |
5. FCMB USSD Code (*329#) for Convenient Transactions
| Transaction Type | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Airtime (Self) | *329*Amount# |
| Airtime (Others) | *329*Amount*Phone Number# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *329*Amount*Account Number# |
| Check Balance | *329*00# |
6. First Bank USSD Code (*894#) for Simple Mobile Banking
| Transaction Type | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Airtime (Self) | *894*Amount# |
| Airtime (Others) | *894*Amount*Phone Number# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *894*Amount*Account Number# |
| Check Balance | *894*00# |
7. GTBank USSD Code (*737#) for Fast Mobile Banking
| Transaction Type | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Airtime (Self) | *737*Amount# |
| Airtime (Others) | *737A*mount*Phone Number# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *737*2*AmountAccount Number# |
| Check Balance | *737*6*1# |
8. Heritage Bank USSD Code (*745#) for Secure Transactions
| Transaction Type | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Airtime (Self) | 745Amount# |
| Airtime (Others) | 745Amount*Phone Number# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | 7452AmountAccount Number# |
| Check Balance | 7450# |
9. Keystone Bank USSD Code (*7111#) for Instant Banking
| Transaction Type | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Airtime (Self) | *7111*Amount# |
| Airtime (Others) | *7111*Amount*Phone Number# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *7111*Amount*Account Number# |
| Check Balance | *7111*00# |
10. Polaris Bank USSD Code (*833#) for Mobile Banking
| Transaction Type | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Airtime (Self) | *833*Amount# |
| Airtime (Others) | *833*Amount*Phone Number# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *833*Amount*Account Number# |
| Check Balance | *833*6# |
11. Stanbic IBTC USSD Code (*909#) for Banking on the Go
| Transaction Type | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Airtime (Self) | *909*Amount# |
| Airtime (Others) | *909*Amount*Phone Number# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *909*22*AmountAccount Number# |
| Check Balance | *909*11# |
12. Sterling Bank USSD Code (*822#) for Swift Transactions
| Transaction Type | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Airtime (Self) | *822*Amount# |
| Airtime (Others) | *822*Amount*Phone Number# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *822*5*AmountAccount Number# |
| Check Balance | *822*6# |
13. UBA USSD Code (*919#) for Easy Transactions
| Transaction Type | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Airtime (Self) | *919*Amount# |
| Airtime (Others) | *919*Phone Number*Amount# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *919*Amount*Account Number# |
| Check Balance | *919*0# |
14. Union Bank USSD Code (*826#) for Fast Mobile Banking
| Transaction Type | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Airtime (Self) | *826*Amount# |
| Airtime (Others) | *826*Amount*Phone Number# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *826*Amount*Account Number# |
| Check Balance | *826*4# |
15. Unity Bank USSD Code (*7799#) for Instant Transactions
| Transaction Type | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Airtime (Self) | *7799*Amount# |
| Airtime (Others) | *7799*Phone Number*Amount# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *7799*Amount*Account Number# |
| Check Balance | *7799*0# |
16. Wema Bank USSD Code (*945#) for Easy Mobile Transactions
| Transaction Type | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Airtime (Self) | *945*Amount# |
| Airtime (Others) | *945*Phone Number*Amount# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *945*Account Number*Amount# |
| Check Balance | *945*0# |
17. Zenith Bank USSD Code (*966#) for Seamless Mobile Banking
| Transaction Type | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Airtime (Self) | *966*Amount# |
| Airtime (Others) | *966*Amount*Phone Number# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *966*Amount*Account Number# |
| Check Balance | *966*00# |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the USSD code for GTBank?
The GTBank USSD code is *737#, offering services like checking your balance, transferring funds, and more.
How do I check my balance with FCMB USSD code?
To check your balance, simply dial *329*0#.
Can I transfer money using UBA’s USSD code?
Yes, you can transfer money by dialling *919*Amount*Recipient’s Account Number#.
What is the USSD code for Fidelity Bank?
The USSD code for Fidelity Bank is *770#, which allows you to check your balance, transfer money, and more.
What is the USSD code for Zenith Bank?
Zenith Bank’s USSD code is *966#. You can check your balance, transfer money, and more using this code.
How do I check my balance with Polaris Bank?
Dial *833*6# to instantly check your Polaris Bank account balance.
Can I transfer funds using First Bank’s USSD code?
Yes, simply dial *894*Amount*Recipient’s Account Number# to transfer money using First Bank’s USSD service.
What is Union Bank’s USSD code?
Union Bank’s USSD code is *826#, which allows you to check your balance, transfer funds, and recharge airtime.
With these USSD codes from GTBank, FCMB, UBA, and Fidelity Bank, mobile banking has never been more convenient. Whether you need to check your account balance, transfer funds, or pay bills, these codes allow you to handle your finances quickly, securely, and without the need for an internet connection.
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