USSD Mobile banking in Nigeria
Unstructured Supplemetary Service Data (USSD), that is a technical term in the telecommunication industries you do not have to bother much about unkess a nerd, to dig more about it on
google.
We are more concerned about its application to the world of mobile banking.
Of course you are familiar with the use of telecommunication companies' (telcos) USSD codes to query for various information about your account. In Nigeria,
*556# and *123# fetches your airtime balance with MTN and Airtel network respectively, by prompt on-screen response on your mobile. The response displays your expected information from the service provider. It is no more a telcos thing, USSD is gaining more ground across many fields that have adopted technology in passing information across to people. East Africa most especially Kenya is championing the course of mobile technology on a global scale, companies such as
Hamwe Technologies a mobile value added services provider and aggregator with SMS and USSD gateway connections to mobile network operators, has rolled out a couple of USSD implemented services across sectors such as
agriculture, health, finance etc.
Below is a list of financial instutitions making use of USSD Mobile Banking in Nigeria and their shortcodes. Follow the links for a concise peruse of each platform's offers or kindly check this page often for updates.
| Company | Main USSD code | |
| Diamond Bank | *710# | |
| EcoBank | *326# | |
| FCMB | *389*214# | |
| Fidelity Bank | *770# | |
| First Bank | *894# | |
| GTBank | *737# | |
| Skye Bank | *833# | |
| Sterling Bank | *822# | |
| UBA | *919# | |
| Unity Bank | *389*215# | |
| Wema Bank | *322# | |
| Zenith Bank | *966# | |
| | |
| Quickteller | *322# | |
USSD is extensively used by telcos however the trend have changed. Financial institutions via Mobile Banking is making the usage of USSD shortcodes trendier. Gone are the days you need to get into a banking hall just for a clue of your account statement or to transfer funds to business partners or relatives. All these can be accomplished with mere press of a few buttons or scroll through a few menus on your mobile phone.
It does not require the use of sophisticated phone, see USSD transaction going on on the basic phone below.
Right with you is your whole bank. Dialing the relevant USSD shortcode releases at your very reach, the world of inclusive financial transactions absolutely within seconds.
Welcome to the 21st century, the era that technology finally took over.
Recommended: Mobile Banking vs Mobile Money
How Mobile Banking Works?
- Make use of the correct USSD short-code relevant to your transaction and platform.
- Use the correct code and follow the prompts, it is very easy and intuitive.
- Provide your card serial or PIN when requested.
- You will receive immediate response and prompt on what to do next.
- Confirmation of successful transaction will be communicated to you by SMS or email or both.
- Unsuccessful transaction will be communicated to you by directly and you will not be charged.
