USSD Transfer Codes, also known as “Quick Codes” or “Feature codes,” is a communication method used by GSM cell phones to connect with the mobile network operator’s computers. Banks utilize these quick codes to offer banking services like transfers, balance checks, and bill payments directly on customers’ phones, making it more convenient for them.
In recent years, online payments have become increasingly popular, with more people opting for e-payments instead of traditional bank deposits and withdrawals. Various trends have emerged, such as mobile bank apps, virtual banking, and mobile money services, all contributing to smoother mobile payments worldwide.
This article aims to explain USSD banking, its functioning, benefits, and a list of Nigerian banks’ USSD transfer codes for your convenience. So, read on to find out more!
What is USSD Banking and How Does It Work?
The acronym USSD stands for “unstructured supplementary service data,” and it’s a technology that has been around since the early ’90s. It was developed by the GSM Association, the trade organization behind most of the world’s cell phone standards.
USSD banking is a mobile banking service that operates through SMS, utilizing a USSD shortcode to provide access to various financial services like transfers, bill payments, and airtime recharges. The significant advantage of USSD banking is its safety, convenience, and cost-effectiveness, as it allows users to access financial services on their phones without needing an internet connection.
The appeal of USSD Transfer Codes for financial services lies in its inclusivity, as it caters to customers with older phones, non-smartphones, and those without internet access through their cell service provider. These customers form a significant portion of the market in developing countries, making USSD an important resource for banks in those regions.
In Nigeria, both traditional and digital banks have embraced personalized USSD codes, enabling seamless financial services anytime and anywhere. This approach opens up opportunities for more people to access financial services on the go, without the need for internet connectivity and the associated hassles. Let’s find out how the USSD codes works.
How Does The USSD Banking Work?
Accessing USSD banking involves using a USSD shortcode to establish a two-way communication channel between the bank and the customer. The bank’s responses are displayed in pop-up screen prompts with numbered menus, which are linked to various service options. This setup guides the user to the specific services they require.
For you to utilize the USSD Transfer Codes for any bank transaction, you need to activate the code on your mobile phone using your preferred phone number. Additionally, in most cases, you must have either registered for a new account or already have an existing bank account with the bank before you can access their financial services through USSD banking.
Setting up a 4 or 5-digit transaction PIN is necessary to authorize all transactions when using USSD banking. This PIN acts as a protective measure to prevent unauthorized access to your account by impersonators or fraudsters. However, it is necessary to be aware that, like any other security measure, your PIN could be compromised or changed if someone gains access to your ATM card or personal information.
Now, to ensure the security of your account, you must be cautious with your card, personal details, and mobile phone at all times. Avoid storing your PIN on your phone and refrain from using easily guessable PINs like your date of birth or house number. By being vigilant and taking these precautions, you can help safeguard your financial transactions and personal information.
Below are some of the benefits of USSD banking:
The Benefits of USSD Banking
Made-easy Account Opening
USSD banking provides convenience and comfort to users without incurring significant extra charges.
Opening an account through USSD banking is a hassle-free process, as long as your mobile phone is connected to your network provider.
Unlike traditional banking, there is no need for extensive paperwork or maintaining a minimum balance to create a bank account using USSD banking.
No Physical Bank Stress
Apart from occasional maintenance that can cause service disruptions, USSD banking saves you stress and time. You don’t have to wait in long bank queues to handle your transactions.
Unlimited Access to Financial Services
With USSD Transfer Codes, you can perform various tasks like paying bills, sending money, and checking your account balance, among many others, at any time you desire.
No Internet Needed
Unlike internet banking and mobile banking, which may incur additional costs for internet fees, USSD Transfer Codes offers a cost-free way for banking. All you need is a functioning mobile phone, and you are all set to enjoy the benefits of USSD.
List of Nigerian Banks’ USSD Short Codes
The table below includes different Nigerian Bank accounts and their respective short-codes.
| NAME OF NIGERIAN 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 Bank | *909# |
| Sterling Bank | *822# |
| UBA | *919# |
| Union Bank | *826# |
| Unity Bank | *7799# |
| Wema Bank | *945# |
| Zenith Bank | *966# |
Different Nigerian Banks and Their Personalized USSD Transaction Codes
The following tables cover the 17 different Nigerian Banks and their personalized transaction codes. You can also use these codes to make transfers, pay bills, check your balances and possibly update BVN, etc. Furthermore, You don’t even need internet connections to carry out any of these functions. Here’s the list
1. Access Bank USSD Codes (*901#)
Transaction Type USSD Code
| Airtime Top-Up for Self | *901*Amount# |
| Airtime Top-Up for Others | *901*Amount*Phone Number# |
| Deactivate Account | *901*911# |
| Pay bills | *901*3# |
| Transfer to Other banks | *901*2*AMOUNT*NUBAN Account Number# |
| Transfer to Access Account | *901*1*AMOUNT*NUBAN Account Number# |
| Check Balance | *901*00# |
| Account Opening/ PIN Change/Registration | *901*0# |
2. ALAT Bank USSD Codes (*945#)
Transaction Type USSD Code
| Airtime Top-Up for Others | *945*phone Number*Amount# |
| Airtime Top-Up for Self | *945*Amount# |
| Check balance | *945*0# |
| Transfer to ALAT Account | *945*Account Number*Amount# |
| Transfer to Other banks | *945*Account Number*Amount# |
3. Ecobank USSD Codes (*326#)
Transaction Type USSD Code
| Airtime Top-Up for Others | *326*Amount*PhoneNumber# |
| Airtime Top-Up for Self | *326*Amount# |
| Check balance | *326*0# |
| Pay bills | *326# |
| Transfer to Ecobank Account | *326# |
| Transfer to Other banks | *326# |
4. Fidelity Bank USSD Codes (*770#)
Transaction Type USSD Code
| Airtime Top-Up for Others | *770*PHONE*AMOUNT# |
| Airtime Top-Up for Self | *770*AMOUNT# |
| ATM cardless withdrawal | *770*8*AMOUNT# |
| Block Account from USSD Banking | *770*08012345678# |
| Block Card | *770*911# |
| Block Phone from USSD Banking | *770*911*08012345678# |
| Change PIN | *770*00# |
| Check balance | *770*0# |
| Choose SMS and Email Alert | *770*2# |
| Pay bills | *770# |
| Transfer to Fidelity Account | *770*ACCOUNT*AMOUNT# |
| Transfer to Other banks | *770*ACCOUNT*AMOUNT# |
| Update BVN | *770*02# |
5. FCMB USSD Codes (*329#)
Transaction Type USSD Code
| Airtime Top-Up for Others | *329*Amount*Mobile number# |
| Airtime Top-Up for Self | *329*Amount# |
| Block USSD Profile or Bank Account | *329*911# |
| Buy Data | *329*1*Mobile Number# |
| Check balance | *329*00# |
| Pay bills (DSTv/GOTv) | 329*2*Amount*Smartcard Number# |
| Pay Electricity Bill | *329*3*Amount*Meter No# or *329*3*Amount*AccountID# |
| Reset PIN | *329*0# |
| Transfer to FCMB Account/Other banks | *329*Amount*Account number# |
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6. First Bank USSD Codes (*894#)
Transaction Type USSD Code
| Account Opening | *894*0# |
| Airtime Recharge for Others | *894*Amount*Phone Number# |
| Airtime Recharge for Self | *894*Amount# |
| Check Balance | *894*00# |
| Deactivate Your Mobile Number | *894*911# |
| Mini-Statement | *894*Account Number# |
| Register for USSD Banking | *894*0 |
| Transfer to First Bank/Other bank Accounts | *894*Amount*Account Number# |
7. GTBank USSD Codes (*737#)
List of Transaction types and USSD codes for Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB)
| Transaction Type | USSD Code |
| Account Opening | *737*0# |
| Airtime Top-Up for Others | *737*Amount*Recipient’s number# |
| Airtime Top-Up for Self | *737*amount# |
| Check Account Number/Check Balance/BVN | *737*6*1# |
| Create PIN | *737*5# |
| Data Top-Up | *737*4# |
| Make Enquires | *737*6# |
| Reactivate Account | *737*11# |
| Transfer to GTBank Account | *737*1*Amount*NUBAN Account Number# |
| Transfer to Other banks | *737*2*Amount*NUBAN Account Number# |
8. Heritage Bank USSD Codes (*745#)
How to activate heritage bank transfer codes
Transaction Type USSD Code
| Airtime (Self) | *745*Amount# |
| Airtime (Third Party) | *745*Amount*Mobile Number# |
| Balance Enquiry | *745*0# |
| Bet9ja Top-up | *745*222*Bet9jaUserID*Amount# |
| Block Your Account from any phone | *745*11# |
| Change USSD PIN | *745*00# |
| Transfer to a Heritage Bank Account | *745*1*Amount*Account Number# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *745*2*Amount*Account Number# |
| LCC Payment | *745*000*522+etagNo+100# |
| Pay with USSD (on POS/Web) | *745*000*RefCode# |
| USSD Registration With ATM Card | *745*Account Number*Last6DigitOfCard# |
| USSD Registration Without ATM Card | *745*Account Number# |
9. Keystone Bank USSD Codes (*7111#)
Transaction Type USSD Code
| Activate Debit Card | *7111*9*123# |
| Change your default Top-up Account: | *7111*AcctNo# |
| Check account balance | *7111*00# |
| Check balance | *7111*1# |
| Mobile Data Top-Up | *7111*5# |
| Panic Code (In case of theft/password compromise) | *7111*911# |
| Pay bills | *7111*2# |
| Recharge for others | *7111*Amount*Phone Number# |
| Recharge your phone | *7111*Amount# |
| Send Money | *7111*Amount*Nuban Account Number# |
| USSD Registration | *7111*0# |
10. Polaris Bank USSD Codes (*833#)
How to activate polaris bank ussd codes
Transaction Type USSD Code
| Airtime Top-Up for Others | *833*AMOUNT*PHONENUMBER# |
| Airtime Top-Up for Self | *833*AMOUNT# |
| Check balance | *833*6# |
| Opening Account | *833*1# |
| Pay bills | *833*2# |
| Pay With MasterPass | *833*7# |
| Transfer to Polaris Account/Others | *833*AMOUNT*ACCOUNTNUMBER# |
| Update BVN | *833*5# |
11. Stanbic IBTC Bank USSD Codes (*909#)
Transaction Type USSD Co
| Airtime Top-Up for Others | *909*Amount*phone number# |
| Airtime Top-Up for Self | *909*Amount# |
| Check balance | *909*1*1# |
| Transfer to Other banks | *909*22*Amount*Account Number# |
| Transfer to Stanbic Account | *909*11*Amount*Account Number# |
12. Sterling Bank USSD Codes (*822#)
How to Create USSD pin for Sterling Bank
Transaction Type USSD Code
| Airtime Top-Up for Others | *822*Amount*Phone Number# |
| Airtime Top-Up for Self | *822*Amount# |
| Check Account Number | *822*8# |
| Check balance | *822*6# |
| Register for USSD Service | 822*1*NUBAN# |
| Transfer to Other banks | *822*5*Amount*Account Number# |
| Transfer to Sterling Account | *822*4*Amount*Account Number# |
13. UBA USSD ShortCodes (*919#)
Transaction Type USSD Code
| Airtime Top-Up for Others | *919* Phone number* Amount# |
| Airtime Top-Up for Self | *919*Amount# |
| ATM cardless withdrawal | *919*30*Amount# |
| Check balance | *919*00# |
| Load UBA Prepaid Card | *919*32# |
| Pay bills | *919*5# |
| Transfer to Other banks | *919*4*account number*amount# |
| Transfer to UBA Account | *919*3*account number*amount# |
14. Union Bank USSD Codes (*826#)
Transaction Type USSD Code
| Airtime Top-Up for Others | *826*amount*recipient’s mobile no# |
| Airtime Top-Up for Self | *826*amount# |
| Check balance | *826# |
| Create PIN | *826*5# |
| Register | *826# |
| Transfer to Other banks | *826*2*amount*account no# |
| Transfer to Union Account | *826*1*amount*account no# |
15. Unity Bank USSD Codes (*7799#)
Transaction Type USSD Code
| Balance inquiry | *7799*0# |
| Bet9ja Wallet funding | *7799*403*Bet9ja ID*amount# |
| Block account | *7799*9*phone number# |
| BVN verification | *7799*5# |
| Cardless withdrawal | *7799*8*Amount# |
| Self recharge | *7799*Amount# |
| Third-party Airtime Recharge | *7799*Phoneno*amount# |
| Transfer to Other banks | *7799*2*accountno*amount# |
| Transfer to Unitybank | *7799*1*accountno*amount# |
| USSD on POS | *7799*000*RefID# |
16. Wema Bank USSD Codes (*945#)
Transaction Type USSD Code
| Airtime Top-Up for Others | *945*phone Number*Amount# |
| Airtime Top-Up for Self | *945*Amount# |
| Check balance | *945*0# |
| Transfer to Other banks | *945*Account Number*Amount# |
| Transfer to Wema Account | *945*Account Number*Amount# |
17. Zenith Bank USSD Codes (*966#)
Transaction Type USSD Code
| Airtime Top-Up for Self/Others | *966*Amount*Mobile Number# |
| Block ATM Card | *966*60# |
| Check balance | *966*00# |
| Deactivate Account | *966*911# |
| Deactivate Mobile Banking Profile | *966*20*0# |
| Opening Account | *966*0# |
| Other Self Service | *966*60# |
| Pay bills (DSTv/PHCN) | *966*7*Amount*Customer ID# |
| Pay Zenith Billers | *966*6*Biller code*Amount# |
| Reset USSD Password/PIN | *966*60# |
| Transfer to Zenith Account/Other Banks | *966*Amount*Account Number# |
| Update BVN | *966*BVN# |
Conclusion
In conclusion, USSD banking offers a straightforward and affordable method to manage your finances, bypassing bank stress and intermediaries. With USSD codes, you can easily perform various banking tasks.
Furthermore while USSD banking does have some limitations, it also remains a safe, secure, and convenient platform. It actually offers a fantastic way to save money, time, and effort while accessing your bank account whenever necessary.
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