UNAFNGLA — UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC
UNAFNGLA is the SWIFT/BIC code for UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC in LAGOS, Nigeria — an 8-character head-office code under ISO 9362.
BIC breakdown (ISO 9362)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Institution | UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC |
| Country | Nigeria (NG) |
| Location Code | LA |
| Branch | None |
| Type | 8-character head-office code (BIC8) |
⚠️ Critical Money Transfer Warning (YMYL)
Verify the BIC with your beneficiary bank: Database records are informational only. swiftbic.org is not affiliated with SWIFT. Always verify the SWIFT/BIC code and name of the beneficiary with the receiving bank or official registration records before initiating any international wire transfer.
Common Mistakes: Do not confuse the SWIFT/BIC code (identifies the bank branch) with the IBAN (identifies the specific bank account). Using an incorrect branch suffix or a deactivated code can result in payments being returned, delayed, or subject to significant administrative return fees.
Verify UNAFNGLA in the live lookup → · IBAN Validator & Checker → · SWIFT Guide →
Related codes for this bank
Frequently asked questions
What bank does the SWIFT code UNAFNGLA belong to?
The SWIFT code UNAFNGLA identifies UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC in LAGOS, Nigeria. This head office code is used for cross-border payments and SWIFT network routing.
What do the parts of the SWIFT code UNAFNGLA mean?
The 8 or 11 characters of UNAFNGLA are parsed as follows: characters 1-4 (UNAF) represent the bank code for UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC; characters 5-6 (NG) indicate the country code for Nigeria; characters 7-8 (LA) specify the location code; and the final characters (—) designate the specific branch.
Is UNAFNGLA a valid SWIFT/BIC code?
UNAFNGLA is formatted as a valid ISO 9362 Business Identifier Code and is listed in our reference directory for UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC in LAGOS, Nigeria. Our directory records come from an open community compilation last updated in 2024, so listing is not confirmation of current status — SWIFT does not publish a free live status feed. Always confirm the code with the beneficiary bank before sending funds.
What is the physical address of the bank registered to UNAFNGLA?
The physical address registered for UNAFNGLA is: 57 MARINA, FLOOR 8, UBA HOUSE, 100221, LAGOS, Nigeria. Verify this address matches your recipient's branch details before initiating a transaction.
What is the difference between an 8-character and an 11-character BIC?
An 8-character BIC (BIC8) identifies an institution's primary head office, while an 11-character BIC (BIC11) specifies a distinct branch or department. Appending 'XXX' to UNAFNGLA forms the conventional head-office branch suffix; both formats route validly on the network.
Can I use the head office code UNAFNGLA to reach any branch of UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC?
Yes. UNAFNGLA is the primary 8-character head office code for UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. When a specific branch BIC is unknown, payments directed to UNAFNGLA (or UNAFNGLAXXX) route to the central head office for internal distribution.
Do I need an IBAN as well as UNAFNGLA?
SWIFT codes like UNAFNGLA identify the bank institution, while IBANs (ISO 13616) identify the individual customer account. Within SEPA (ECB SEPA), IBANs are sufficient for routing; outside SEPA, both SWIFT BIC and account number are typically required.
What happens if I use the wrong SWIFT/BIC code?
Using an incorrect code can delay transfers, cause payment returns, or route funds to an incorrect institution. Correspondent banks along the route may charge return processing fees, and currency conversion losses may occur. Always verify details with the beneficiary.
How long does a payment using UNAFNGLA take to arrive?
International SWIFT wires typically settle within 1 to 5 business days, depending on time zones, clearing cut-offs, correspondent hops (BIS CPMI), and compliance checks.
Why does my payment need an intermediary or correspondent bank?
When sending and receiving banks lack direct clearing accounts, transfers route through intermediary correspondent banks (BIS CPMI) that maintain shared Nostro/Vostro accounts. Each hop may deduct a handling fee.
How does UNAFNGLA interact with local payments in Nigeria?
UNAFNGLA routes international cross-border transfers. Domestic clearing arrangements vary in Nigeria; confirm with the beneficiary bank before sending funds. SWIFT/BIC codes handle international wire entry.
How current is the information on this page?
This record is sourced from an open community BIC compilation (2024 vintage). For full data provenance, see our Data Sources Register.
What should I do before sending money to this bank?
Confirm the exact BIC and account details directly with your beneficiary, verify beneficiary bank name match, and beware of invoice fraud. Reference directories are for verification support.
Sources & References
- 🌐 ISO 9362:2022: International standard for Business Identifier Codes (ISO OBP).
- 🌐 ISO 13616-1: International Bank Account Number specifications (ISO OBP).
- 🏢 SWIFT Registration Authority: Designated ISO 9362 registration authority (swift.com).
- 🇪🇺 European Central Bank (ECB): SEPA clearing framework and standards (ECB SEPA).
- 🇪🇺 European Payments Council (EPC): SEPA rulebooks and guidelines (EPC).
- 🏦 Bank for International Settlements (BIS): CPMI cross-border payments standards (BIS CPMI).
- 🏛️ US Treasury OFAC: Financial sanctions and wire compliance oversight (US Treasury).
- 📂 swiftbic.org Data Register: Record-level provenance and dataset coverage (Data Sources).
- 🌐 World Bank Group: Payment Systems and Remittances overview (World Bank).
- 💻 Open Community BIC Compilation: MIT-licensed community repository (br99bry/swift-bank-codes).