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The short answer
To receive a bank transfer from abroad into GTBank, give the sender your full account name, your account number, the bank name Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and its SWIFT code GTBINGLA (GTBINGLAXXX in 11 characters). Ask that the payment be made in the same currency as your account: a dollar, pound or euro domiciliary account keeps foreign currency as it is, while a payment into a naira account will be converted at a rate set at the time.
Money comes into Nigeria from abroad through two broad routes: a bank-to-bank SWIFT transfer, or a licensed international money transfer operator (IMTO) that pays out to your account or for cash collection. Which one suits you depends on the amount, how quickly you need it, and whether you want to keep the money in foreign currency.
Route 1: a SWIFT transfer straight to GTBank
The sender's bank needs these details. Spell them exactly as they appear on your account.
- Beneficiary name
- Your full name as on the GTBank account
- Account number
- Your 10-digit GTBank account number (a domiciliary account number for dollars, pounds or euros)
- Bank name
- Guaranty Trust Bank Plc
- SWIFT/BIC
- GTBINGLA, or GTBINGLAXXX where 11 characters are required
- Bank address
- 635 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos (as listed in the SWIFT directory record)
- Purpose
- A short, honest description, such as family support or invoice payment
Some sending banks also ask for an intermediary or correspondent bank, especially for US dollar payments. GTBank does not publish its correspondent details on the pages we read, so ask GTBank for the current instructions for your currency before you share them. Our guide to the GTBank SWIFT code and sort code explains each field in more detail.
Naira or foreign-currency account?
Match the currency to the account. A dollar transfer into a dollar domiciliary account arrives as dollars. A dollar transfer into a naira account has to be converted, and you will not know the rate until it is applied. If you want choice over when to convert, open a domiciliary account first; see opening a GTBank domiciliary account. Note that GTBank's 737 FAQ says USSD transfers do not work on domiciliary accounts, so plan to move foreign currency through the app or a branch.
Route 2: money transfer operators
GTBank's website has pages for Western Union and MoneyGram among its international money transfer services. With an IMTO, the sender pays the operator abroad, and you receive the money into your account or collect it at a branch with ID and the transfer reference. The operator, not GTBank, sets the sender's fee and the exchange rate it shows the sender. Ask the sender to confirm with the operator whether the payout will be in naira or in foreign currency before sending.
| SWIFT to GTBank | Money transfer operator | |
|---|---|---|
| Who sets fees | Sender's bank, any intermediary bank, and possibly GTBank on receipt | The operator, shown to the sender |
| Speed | Often days, depending on banks in the chain | Often faster; varies by operator |
| Currency | Arrives in the currency sent, converted if the account is naira | Depends on the operator's payout options |
| Best for | Larger or business payments, payments into a domiciliary account | Family support, smaller amounts |
Worked example: where the money goes
Example only: a relative in the UK sends £500 by SWIFT. Their bank charges a fee, an intermediary bank may deduct a fee in transit, and if the payment lands in a naira account it is converted at the rate applied that day. If the sender chooses the option where they pay all charges (often called OUR), more of the £500 arrives; with shared charges (SHA), you may receive less than £500. Ask the sender which option they used if the amount looks short.
Why an inflow from abroad can be delayed
Most delays have one of a handful of causes, and knowing them saves calls to the bank:
- Name mismatch. If the beneficiary name the sender typed differs from the account name, the payment may be held or returned.
- Compliance review. Banks screen cross-border payments. An unusual amount, a vague purpose or missing KYC on your account can lead to questions before the money is released. Answer them promptly and keep invoices or letters that explain the payment.
- Missing intermediary details. A dollar payment routed without the right correspondent bank can bounce back to the sender after several days.
- Currency mismatch. Euros sent to a dollar account, or any foreign currency sent to a naira account, may need conversion or manual handling.
- Weekends and public holidays in either country add days, because SWIFT payments move on banking days.
If you expect regular payments, for example from a client abroad, keep a simple record of each payment: the sender, amount, currency, reference and the date it arrived. That makes any trace with GTBank quicker and gives you evidence of income if a lender or embassy later asks for it.
What to check first
- Your account name matches the name the sender types, including middle names if the bank holds them.
- Your BVN and NIN are linked, so the inflow is not held for KYC review.
- You know the currency of the account the sender is paying into.
- You have the transfer reference (for SWIFT, the sender's bank can give a payment reference) in case you need to trace it with GTBank.
To trace a delayed payment, call GTConnect on +234 1 448 0000 or the other numbers on GTBank's 737 FAQ, with the sender's reference and amount.
Where Pryme fits
A Pryme account holds NGN, USD, GBP and EUR in one place with local account details for each currency, so a payer in the UK can pay you like a UK payee. Money stays in the currency it arrived in until you choose to convert with Swap, which shows the rate and fee before you approve. Outside Nigeria, these services are provided through regulated partners.
Questions people ask
What is GTBank SWIFT code for receiving money from abroad?
GTBINGLA, or GTBINGLAXXX where 11 characters are required, for Guaranty Trust Bank Plc in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Can I receive dollars into my GTBank naira account?
A foreign-currency payment into a naira account has to be converted at the rate applied at the time. To keep dollars as dollars, receive them into a domiciliary account.
Does GTBank offer Western Union and MoneyGram?
GTBank's website lists Western Union and MoneyGram among its international money transfer services. The operator sets the sender's fee and rate.
Why did I receive less than the amount sent from abroad?
Intermediary and receiving banks can deduct charges along the way, especially when the sender chose shared charges. Ask the sender for the payment reference and the charge option used, then query GTBank if the gap is unexplained.
Sources
- Wise: SWIFT/BIC code GTBINGLAXXX, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc · accessed Oct 2026
- GTBank: 737 frequently asked questions · accessed Oct 2026
- CBN: Complaints management, Consumer Protection Department · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.