The convenience of transferring funds between bank accounts has become an essential aspect of personal and business financial management. With the rise of mobile banking and USSD codes, Nigeria has embraced innovative methods to streamline these transactions.

However, each bank has distinct transfer limits and requirements for users to be aware of. This quick guide provides an overview of the transfer limits using USSD codes and mobile banking across various banks in Nigeria.

USSD Transfer Charges

As of March 16, 2021, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) announced a flat fee of N6.98 per USSD transaction. This charge aims to enhance transparency and is collected on behalf of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to support the infrastructure that facilitates USSD services.

Access Bank

Access Bank offers a transfer limit of N20,000 per transaction and N150,000 per day. To exceed the N20,000 limit, users require a hardware token or the last six digits of their debit card. For mobile banking transfers, a limit of N2,000,000 applies in four tranches of N500,000.

EcoBank

EcoBank sets a daily transfer limit of N50,000 and a limit of N500,000 for instant banking transactions.

Fidelity Bank

Fidelity Bank’s single transaction limit stands at N20,000, with a daily cap of N100,000. Airtime purchases have similar limits. Customers can enhance their limits to N500,000 – N1,000,000 by visiting a nearby branch. Online banking allows a daily limit of N1,000,000, extendable to N5,000,000.

First Bank Nigeria

FirstBank customers can transfer up to N100,000 per day and recharge airtime up to N10,000 daily. The mobile app supports transfers up to N500,000 with a token, and N1,000,000 with enhanced verification at a branch, expandable to N5,000,000.

GTBank

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) permits a daily cumulative limit of N200,000 for transfers to both GTBank and other accounts. Customers aiming to escalate this limit need a hardware token or assistance from the bank.

Heritage Bank

Heritage Bank allows a maximum daily transfer limit of N2,000,000 using NIBSS Instant Pay and Quickteller Platforms, with individual transfer limits of N500,000.

Keystone Bank

For Keystone Bank, individual accounts have a daily USSD transfer limit of N20,000, while mobile banking supports up to N5,000,000. Corporate accounts enjoy a higher limit of N10,000,000.

Polaris Bank

Polaris Bank’s *833# Smart Banking imposes a N50,000 limit on transfers and bill payments. The mobile app has a N500,000 cap, using debit card registration.

Stanbic IBTC Bank

Stanbic IBTC Bank provides a daily transfer limit of N100,000, with a single maximum transfer of N20,000. Online and mobile banking extends to N1,000,000 daily, while ATM transfers are capped at N500,000.

Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria

Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria permits individual transfers of up to N100,000, with daily fund transfer limits accessible through online banking preferences.

Sterling Bank

Sterling Bank starts with a default transfer limit of N20,000, upgradable to N100,000 by creating a new PIN associated with registered phone numbers.

Union Bank of Nigeria

Union Bank’s USSD code supports daily transfers of up to N100,000 in N20,000 tranches. Higher limits, including N200,000 daily and N1,000,000 with an SMS token, can be accessed by accepting an indemnity prompt.

UBA

UBA offers daily transfer limits of N1,000,000 for individuals and N10,000,000 for companies. Limits vary with PIN, tokens, and secure pass options. Mobile banking limits increase gradually from N20,000 to N1,000,000.

Unity Bank

Unity Bank’s USSD code permits daily cumulative transfers of N100,000, expandable to N500,000. Unity Mobile users can increase their limit by submitting a limit increase form.

Wema Bank

Wema Bank has varying transfer limits, starting at N1,000,000 for Wemamobile savings and extending to N2,000,000 for interbank transfers. The daily cumulative USSD limit is N20,000, extendable to N500,000 via the mobile app or branch assistance.

Zenith Bank

Zenith Bank’s daily transfer limit is N100,000 for non-internet users and N1,000,000 with a hardware token. Mobile app users have a transfer limit of N20,000 as OTP users, N1,000,000 with an ATM card, and N5,000,000 as hardware token device users.

Conclusion

These bank transfer limits ensure security while providing users with convenient ways to manage their finances. As technology advances, the potential for higher transfer limits and enhanced convenience remains a possibility, fostering continued financial innovation in the nation.