Fidelity Bank Codes in Nigeria
Banking has undergone a massive transformation in Nigeria over the past couple of decades. Gone are the days when one had to visit a bank branch and stand in long queues just to complete simple transactions like checking account balances or transferring funds. The advent of technology has made banking extremely convenient, with services like internet banking, mobile banking apps, ATMs and USSD codes changing the face of the banking sector. One bank that has fully embraced these tech-driven solutions is Fidelity Bank.
Fidelity Bank is one of the top tier commercial banks in Nigeria today. As of December 2021, it had over 6 million customers, 266 branches across Nigeria and assets in excess of N2.5 trillion. Fidelity offers a diverse range of banking solutions for individuals as well as businesses. And central to many of these services are Fidelity Bank codes – specifically, USSD codes and SWIFT codes.
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USSD Codes
USSD, which stands for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, is a protocol used by GSM phones to communicate with the service provider’s computers. USSD banking utilizes this technology to enable banking transactions directly via a mobile phone, without the need for internet access.
Fidelity Bank has implemented an extensive USSD banking platform that allows customers to easily access a myriad of services just by dialing coded numbers on their phones. The main USSD code for Fidelity Bank is 770#. When this code is dialed, the user is presented with a menu providing various options like checking account balance, transferring funds, buying airtime, paying bills and more.
To break it down further, here are the key USSD codes for Fidelity Bank services:
- *770# – Main menu
- 7700# – Check account balance
- 7701# – Airtime purchase
- 7702# – Transfer money
- 7703# – Pay bills
- 7704# – Mini statement
- 7705# – Change PIN
- 7706# – Block account
- 7707# – Block card
- 7708# – Foreign currency rates
- 7709# – Local currency rates
Once the main *770# code is dialed, the user has to navigate through various sub-menus by entering the number corresponding to the service required, and following the prompts. For instance, to check account balance, one would dial 7700# from the main menu. To buy airtime, dial 7701# and follow prompts to enter amount and phone number.
Some key USSD transactions on Fidelity Bank include:
- Check account balance – To check the account balance, dial 7700# from the main menu. The system will prompt for the account number, after which the available balance is displayed.
- Airtime purchase – To buy airtime, dial 7701#. You will be prompted to enter the amount (in naira) and the recipient phone number. Once confirmed, the equivalent airtime is credited to that number.
- Transfer money – Fidelity Bank money transfer can be done via 7702#. You need to enter the recipient’s account number and amount, then confirm details before transferring.
- Pay bills – Bill payments like DSTV, PHCN, GoTV etc. can be done by dialing 7703#. After selecting biller, enter invoice number and amount. Charges apply.
- Get mini statement – A mini account statement can be generated by dialing 7704# and entering the account number. It displays the last 5 transactions.
- Change PIN – Forgotten PIN can be reset by dialing 7705# and following the prompts.
Apart from the above, Fidelity USSD can also be used for services like checking fixed deposit interest, foreign exchange rates, placing stop-payment orders on cheques and more. The full menu is displayed when *770# is dialed.
Benefits of Fidelity USSD Banking
- Convenience – Banking services easily accessible 24/7 directly from your mobile phone. No internet required.
- Security – USSD uses highly secure communication channels. No need to share sensitive information on the phone menu.
- Speed – Transactions initiated via USSD are processed faster compared to other channels.
- Cost-effective – USSD transactions generally have lower charges compared to other platforms like mobile apps or ATM.
- Accessibility – USSD works on all types of phones and networks. Extremely helpful where internet connectivity is limited.
- Ease of use – User-friendly menu system accessible through simple numeric codes. Extremely easy to initiate transactions via USSD.
Important Notes on Fidelity USSD Banking
- The *770# short code will work only within Nigeria. International clients cannot access it.
- You need to have a duly registered mobile number linked with your Fidelity Bank account to use USSD services.
- For security, never share your mobile PIN with anyone, including bank staff.
- If wrong PIN is entered multiple times, account will be blocked. Visit a branch with ID to unblock.
- Ensure phone number linked to your account is kept active. Deactivated numbers block access to USSD.
- Transactions may fail if there are issues with network connectivity. Try again later in such cases.
With its robust USSD platform, Fidelity Bank offers customers the power and freedom to bank conveniently from anywhere in Nigeria, using only basic mobile phones.
SWIFT Code
While USSD codes enable banking within Nigeria, SWIFT codes facilitate Fidelity Bank’s participation in international money transfers.
SWIFT stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications. It is a network that enables financial institutions globally to send and receive information about financial transactions in a standardized and secure environment.
Each bank connected to SWIFT has a unique 8 digit SWIFT code (also called BIC code). For Fidelity Bank Nigeria, the SWIFT code is FIDTNGLA. This serves as a unique identifier for Fidelity in the global SWIFT network and is essential for routing international payments.
Here are some key facts about Fidelity Bank’s SWIFT code:
- Format – 8-character code made up of bank identifier code (FIDT), country code (NG), location code (LA) and optional branch code (blank).
- Uses – Required for sending or receiving international payments to/from Fidelity Bank. Needed for remittances, bank-to-bank transfers, foreign trade payments etc.
- Message Types – Fidelity Bank can process various SWIFT message types like MT 103, MT 202, MT 101 etc. for standardized transactions.
- Network – Connects Fidelity systems with other banks worldwide on the SWIFT ecosystem for seamless cross-border money movement.
- Security – Transactions initiated via SWIFT must be authorized by digital signatures to ensure authenticity and prevent frauds.
To make an international transfer through Fidelity Bank, the sender needs to provide the recipient’s full account details along with the SWIFT code FIDTNGLA. This will route the transfer to the destination account via the secured SWIFT messaging system.
Fidelity Bank leverages SWIFT’s global reach and robust infrastructure to facilitate international trade finance, foreign remittances, cross-border investments and other monetary transactions for its corporate and retail customers.
Key Benefits of the SWIFT Platform
For Fidelity Bank customers, the key benefits of SWIFT include:
- Faster transfers – SWIFT transactions are settled quicker, crediting recipient accounts within 24-48 hours.
- Global reach – Over 11,000 financial institutions worldwide connected via SWIFT. Enables international payments to 200+ countries.
- Secure transfers – End-to-end encryption and sender authorization prevent fraudulent transactions over SWIFT.
- Transparency – Senders get regular status updates when transfers are initiated via SWIFT.
- Standard formats – Use of internationally recognized message formats removes ambiguity in cross-border information exchange.
- Cost-efficiency – Economies of scale enable SWIFT payments at lower charges compared to non-SWIFT wire transfers.
In summary, Fidelity Bank leverages both USSD codes and the SWIFT network to offer seamless 24×7 banking convenience to customers across Nigeria and worldwide. USSD facilitates quick, internet-free transactions on basic mobile phones for Nigerian customers, while SWIFT powers Fidelity Bank’s international banking and payments ecosystem.
Conclusion
Fidelity Bank has clearly embraced technology to make banking extremely accessible across diverse platforms. For customers in Nigeria, the *770# USSD short code offers a simple yet powerful way to bank anytime, anywhere without smartphones or internet. And for international banking needs, Fidelity Bank plugs into the global SWIFT network to enable fast, secure cross-border transactions through its SWIFT code FIDTNGLA.
Together, these solutions demonstrate Fidelity Bank’s commitment to deploying technology towards driving financial inclusion, supporting cashless initiatives, and connecting Nigerians locally and globally. With such innovative offerings, Fidelity is well positioned to continue accelerating Nigeria’s growth as a major economy in Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions regarding Fidelity Bank codes:
Q: What phones can I use Fidelity USSD codes on?
A: Fidelity’s *770# USSD service works seamlessly on all types of basic phones – both keypad and touchscreen. Internet connectivity or smartphones are not required.
Q: Can I access USSD banking if I’m outside Nigeria?
A: Unfortunately no. The *770# short code works only within Nigerian phone networks. You cannot use it abroad.
Q: How do I register my phone number for Fidelity’s USSD service?
A: Walk into any Fidelity branch with a valid ID to register your phone number. Once linked to your account, you can start using *770# service.
Q: Is there any cost for using the USSD service?
A: Fidelity Bank currently offers USSD services free of charge. However, normal transaction charges apply.
Q: Can I transfer money to other banks via Fidelity USSD?
A: Yes, Fidelity’s USSD platform allows transfers to all banks in Nigeria. Just enter recipient account details as prompted.
Q: How long does it take to get an international transfer via SWIFT?
A: Remittances initiated via SWIFT typically reflect in beneficiary accounts within 24 to 48 hours. But may take 2-3 working days in some cases.
Q: Does Fidelity Bank charge fees for receiving SWIFT transfers?
A: Fidelity Bank does not levy charges for receiving international SWIFT transfers into Fidelity accounts. However, intermediary bank charges may apply.
Q: Can I initiate a SWIFT transfer without visiting a bank branch?
A: You can initiate SWIFT transfers via Fidelity’s internet banking by adding the recipient details there. No need to visit a branch.
Q: What information do I need from the recipient to make a SWIFT transfer?
A: You need the full beneficiary name, bank name & address, account number, and the SWIFT code of the recipient bank for routing the transfer.
Q: Who can I contact if I face any issues with Fidelity Bank codes?
A: You can call Fidelity Customer Care on 01-2716000 or visit any nearest branch for assistance with USSD or SWIFT related issues.