Imagine you need to send money urgently, but there’s no internet, no bank nearby, and you’re stuck in a long queue somewhere. That’s where USSD codes come in—they’re like magic shortcuts for your banking needs. With just a few taps on your phone, you can check your balance, transfer money, or even buy airtime. No need for fancy apps or an internet connection—just your phone and the right code!
In this guide, we’ll break down the USSD codes for four major Nigerian banks—Zenith Bank, Polaris Bank, First Bank, and Union Bank—so you can handle your banking anytime, anywhere. Let’s dive in!
Zenith Bank USSD Codes
Zenith Bank keeps things simple with its *966# banking service. Think of this as the key to unlocking all your transactions. Once registered, you can use these quick codes:
| Service | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Check Account Balance | *966*00# |
| Airtime Purchase (Self) | *966*Amount# |
| Airtime Purchase (Others) | *966*Amount*Mobile Number# |
| Transfer to Zenith Bank | *966*Amount*Account Number# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *966*Amount*Account Number# |
| Open an Account | *966*0# |
| Update BVN | *966*BVN# |
| Pay Bills | *966*7*Amount*Customer ID# |
| Pay Zenith Billers | *966*6*Biller code*Amount# |
| Deactivate Your Account | *966*911# |
| Deactivate Mobile Banking Profile | *966*20*0# |
| Password and PIN reset | *966*60# |
How It Works: Let’s say you want to send N5,000 to a friend with a Zenith Bank account. Just dial *966*5000*1234567890#, follow the prompts, and boom—your friend gets the money instantly!
Polaris Bank USSD Codes
Polaris Bank (formerly Skye Bank) operates its USSD banking via *833#. It’s fast, convenient, and works on any phone.
| Service | USSD Code |
| Check Account Balance | *833*6# |
| Airtime Purchase (Self) | *833*Amount# |
| Airtime Purchase (Others) | *833*Amount*Phone Number# |
| Transfer to Polaris Bank | *833*Amount*Account Number# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *833*3# (Follow Prompts) |
| Open an Account | *833*1# |
| Pay Bills | *833*2# |
Example: Need to buy airtime for your sibling? Dial *833*200*08123456789# and they’ll receive N200 credit instantly. No need to visit a recharge vendor!
First Bank USSD Codes
First Bank, one of Nigeria’s oldest and most trusted banks, runs its mobile banking on *894#. Whether you’re sending money or checking your balance, these codes make it effortless.
| Service | USSD Code |
| Check Account Balance | *894*00# |
| Airtime Purchase (Self) | *894*Amount# |
| Airtime Purchase (Others) | *894*Amount*Phone Number# |
| Transfer to First Bank | *894*Amount*Account Number# |
| Transfer to Other Banks | *894*Amount*Account Number# |
| Open an Account | *894*0# |
| Buy Data | *894*2# |
| Buy Data (Others) | *894*2*Phone Number# |
| Deactivate Mobile Number | *894*911# |
Example: You’re at the market, and you suddenly realize you don’t have enough cash. Instead of running to the ATM, just dial *894*5000*0987654321# to send N5,000 to the vendor’s account and complete your purchase hassle-free.
Union Bank USSD Codes
Union Bank’s *826# service ensures that customers can bank on the go, whether it’s transferring money or checking balances.
| Service | USSD Code |
|---|---|
| Check balance | *826*4# |
| Buy airtime for yourself | *826*Amount# |
| Buy airtime for others | *826*Amount*3rd party mobile No# |
| Transfer money to Union Bank | *826*1*Amount*Account No# |
| Transfer money to other banks | *826*2*Amount*Account no# |
| Cardless withdrawal | *826*7*amount# |
| Locate a branch/Union Direct Agent | *826*19# |
| Request a debit card | *826*21# |
| Request a loan | *826*41# |
| Data purchase | *826*9# |
| Pay merchants (mCash) | *826*22*merchantcode*amount# |
| Data capture after enrolment | *826*3*account no# |
| Card management (block and unblock card) | *826*21# |
| Limit increase | *826*8# |
| Block your account from your phone number | *826*6# |
| Block your account from other phone numbers | *826*6*mobile number# |
Example: Your friend who uses Union Bank needs urgent cash,say N10,000, and you only have your phone. Dial *826*1*10000*1234567890#, confirm the transfer, and they get the money in seconds.
Why USSD Banking is a Game-Changer
If you’ve ever been stuck in a situation where internet banking wasn’t an option, you’ll understand why USSD banking is a lifesaver. Here’s why it’s so popular:
- Works on Any Phone: Whether you have a smartphone or an old-school Nokia, USSD banking gets the job done.
- No Internet Needed: You can send money, buy airtime, or check your balance without a data connection.
- Fast and Secure: Transactions happen in seconds, and you always confirm with your PIN, keeping your money safe.
- Available 24/7: No bank closing hours, no downtime—just quick and easy banking whenever you need it.
Banking doesn’t have to be complicated. With these USSD codes, managing your money is as easy as sending a text message. Whether you bank with Zenith, Polaris, First Bank, or Union Bank, you now have the power to check balances, send money, and buy airtime at your fingertips.
So the next time you’re caught without cash or an internet connection, just punch in the right code and handle your banking with ease! If you didn’t find your bank in this list, we previously covered the USSD codes for Nigerian banks like GT Bank, UBA and FCMB here.
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