Sterling Bank is a full service Nigerian commercial bank with a long history dating back to 1960, known in recent years for its focus on the priority sectors it calls HEART: health, education, agriculture, renewable energy and transport.
This complete guide covers everything you need to know about banking internationally and locally with Sterling Bank, including its SWIFT code position, how to receive money from abroad, its USSD code and mobile banking, how to open an account, its contact details, and a full profile of Sterling Bank itself.
A SWIFT code, also called a BIC (Bank Identifier Code), is an internationally recognised code that identifies a bank during a cross border transfer. It is managed by SWIFT, the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, the global network banks use to send secure payment instructions to one another.
Sterling Bank SWIFT Code
The SWIFT/BIC code for Sterling Bank is NAMENGLA. This single code is used for the bank right across Nigeria, so whatever branch or city your account belongs to, the same code, NAMENGLA, is used to receive international transfers into it.
Most Nigerian banks, including Sterling Bank, use a single SWIFT code for the whole bank rather than a different one for each branch. When an eleven character version is requested, the code is written as NAMENGLAXXX, where the final XXX refers to the bank’s primary (head) office.
Bank
Sterling Bank Limited
SWIFT/BIC code (8 characters)
NAMENGLA
SWIFT/BIC code (11 characters)
NAMENGLAXXX
Head office city
Lagos
What is a SWIFT/BIC Code?
A SWIFT code, or BIC, is a standard Bank Identifier Code used to identify banks around the world. It tells anyone sending money internationally exactly which bank, in which country and at which location should receive the funds, working much like the international postal address of a bank.
Every SWIFT code is either eight or eleven characters long. An eight character code, such as NAMENGLA, refers to a bank’s head office, while an eleven character code adds a three character branch identifier at the end; when this is XXX, it still points to the head office. For Sterling Bank, the eight character code is all you need to receive an international transfer.
Sterling Bank SWIFT Code Explained
Each part of NAMENGLA has a specific meaning, as shown in the table below.
Part
Code
Meaning
Bank code
NAME
Identifies Sterling Bank Limited
Country code
NG
Nigeria
Location code
LA
Lagos, where the head office is based
Branch code
XXX
Primary / head office (optional, only in the 11 character form)
How to Receive International Money into Sterling Bank
To receive money from abroad into your Sterling Bank account, give the sender the details below, and their bank will route the transfer through the SWIFT network.
Account holder’s name (exactly as on your account)
Account number (your ten digit Sterling Bank account number)
Bank name: Sterling Bank Limited
SWIFT/BIC code: NAMENGLA
Bank address: Sterling Towers, 20 Marina, Lagos, Nigeria
Nigeria does not use the IBAN system, so if a sender’s form asks for an IBAN, leave it blank and provide the SWIFT code and account number instead. For foreign currencies such as dollars, pounds or euros, you will usually need a domiciliary account with Sterling Bank. International transfers typically arrive within one to five working days, depending on the sending bank and any intermediary banks involved.
How to Send Money Abroad from Sterling Bank
Sterling Bank customers can also send money abroad, usually from a domiciliary account. To make an international transfer you provide the recipient’s bank details, including their bank’s SWIFT code, their account number or IBAN, their name and their bank’s address. Transfers can be arranged at a branch or, for eligible customers, through the bank’s digital channels.
International transfers from Nigeria are subject to the limits and documentation set by the Central Bank of Nigeria, and Sterling Bank applies its own exchange rate and charges, so it is worth confirming the current details, limits and fees before sending a large amount.
Sterling Bank Sort Codes and Branch Codes
A sort code is different from a SWIFT code. It is a nine digit number that identifies a specific branch for domestic transfers within Nigeria, such as NEFT and RTGS. Sterling Bank’s sort codes all begin with 232, the bank’s institution code, followed by digits identifying the branch.
Unlike the single SWIFT code, Sterling Bank has many sort codes, one per branch. For everyday transfers through the app or internet banking you will not need to type one, but it may be requested for certain direct payments. You can obtain your branch’s sort code from the branch or from customer care.
Sterling Bank USSD Code and Mobile Banking
The USSD code for Sterling Bank is *822#. This short code lets you bank directly from any mobile phone, even a basic one with no internet or app, by dialling it from the phone number linked to your account. It is one of the quickest ways to carry out everyday banking on the go.
With the Sterling Bank USSD code you can carry out a wide range of everyday banking tasks, including:
Check your account balance
Transfer money to Sterling Bank and other bank accounts
Buy airtime and data for yourself or others
Pay bills such as electricity, water and subscriptions
Open a new Sterling Bank account
Check your BVN and manage your account
Block your account quickly in an emergency
How to Open a Sterling Bank Account with the USSD Code
You can open a Sterling Bank account in minutes using the USSD code, without visiting a branch. Dial *822# on the phone number you want to register, choose the option to open an account, and follow the prompts to enter your details. Once the account is created you can begin transacting straight away and complete any further verification, such as linking your BVN, afterwards.
Getting Started with Sterling Bank USSD Banking
Always dial *822# from the phone number registered with your Sterling Bank account, as the service is tied to your registered SIM for security. The first time you use it you will usually create a short secret PIN, which is then required to authorise transactions. Never share this PIN or any one time code with anyone, as no genuine bank staff member will ever ask for it.
About Sterling Bank
Overview and History
Sterling Bank traces its history to 1960 and the former Nigeria Acceptances Limited, known as NAL, the country’s first investment banking firm. Over the decades, through mergers and transformation, it became the modern Sterling Bank.
The bank now operates under Sterling Financial Holdings Company, and it has built a reputation for backing key sectors of the real economy and for a strong digital and innovation drive.
Leadership
Sterling Bank is based in Lagos, Nigeria, with its head office at Sterling Towers, 20 Marina, Lagos. It is led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Abubakar Suleiman. Sterling Bank operates as part of Sterling Financial Holdings Company.
Services
Sterling Bank offers retail, commercial and corporate banking services, and is especially known for its focus on the health, education, agriculture, renewable energy and transport sectors, alongside a growing non-interest banking window.
Digital Banking
Sterling Bank is a strongly digital focused institution. Customers can bank through the Sterling OneBank app and the USSD code *822#, along with internet banking where available, which together allow transfers, airtime and data purchases, bill payments and account management, in many cases even without an internet connection.
Size and Reach
Sterling Bank serves its customers through a branch network across Nigeria, supported by ATMs, agent banking and a strong suite of digital channels, including its Sterling OneBank platform.
Sterling Bank Branches
Sterling Bank has a branch network across Nigeria, with a presence in major commercial centres such as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, complemented by ATMs, agent banking and electronic channels. Because all branches share the same SWIFT code, NAMENGLA, you can receive an international transfer regardless of which branch holds your account.
Sterling Bank Contact and Customer Care
Head office
Sterling Towers, 20 Marina, Lagos, Nigeria
Customer care
+234 700 822 0000, or 0700 STERLING
Email
customercare@sterling.ng
Website
sterling.ng
USSD
*822#
SWIFT/BIC
NAMENGLA
Fees, Exchange Rates and Cheaper Alternatives
Whenever money is sent internationally, the cost is more than the visible fee. Banks and providers also apply an exchange rate when converting currencies, which can include a margin above the mid market rate, and on larger amounts this margin can cost more than the fee itself.
It is always worth comparing the total cost, not just the advertised fee. Specialist services such as Wise often use the mid market rate with a clear separate fee, while a domiciliary account with a commercial bank lets you receive and hold foreign currency directly. Comparing your options before you send or receive can save you money.
Quick Facts About Sterling Bank
SWIFT/BIC code: NAMENGLA (NAMENGLAXXX in full)
Sort code prefix: 232
Full name: Sterling Bank Limited
Head office: Sterling Towers, 20 Marina, Lagos
Founded: 1960 (as NAL Bank)
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer: Abubakar Suleiman
USSD code: *822#
Website: sterling.ng
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sterling Bank’s SWIFT code?
Sterling Bank’s SWIFT/BIC code is NAMENGLA, written in full as NAMENGLAXXX.
Does Sterling Bank have different SWIFT codes for different branches?
No. Sterling Bank uses a single SWIFT code, NAMENGLA, for all of its branches nationwide.
Is Sterling Bank’s SWIFT code the same as its sort code?
No. The SWIFT code (NAMENGLA) is for international transfers, while sort codes are nine digit numbers that identify individual branches for domestic transfers.
What is Sterling Bank’s USSD code?
Sterling Bank’s USSD code is *822#, usable for transfers, airtime, bills, opening an account and more from any phone.
How do I receive money from abroad into my Sterling Bank account?
Give the sender your account name and number, the bank name, the SWIFT code NAMENGLA, and the bank’s address. Foreign currencies usually require a domiciliary account.
Does Nigeria use IBAN?
No. Nigeria does not use IBAN. Provide the SWIFT code and account number instead.
Summary
In summary, the SWIFT/BIC code for Sterling Bank is NAMENGLA (NAMENGLAXXX in full), used for the whole bank across every branch. To receive money from abroad, provide this code with your account name and number, remembering that Nigeria does not use IBAN and foreign currencies usually need a domiciliary account.
SWIFT/BIC codes change when a bank restructures, merges, or opens new international operations, and some Nigerian institutions route international transfers through a correspondent bank rather than a code of their own. Before you send money, confirm the code directly with the bank, through its official app or customer care line, or by looking the institution up in the official SWIFT/BIC directory at swift.com. Sending to an incorrect or outdated SWIFT code can delay a transfer by days or route it to the wrong institution, and recovering misrouted funds is slow and sometimes costly. The details on this page are compiled from the bank’s own published information and the SWIFT registry.
