Universal Branch Codes for Major South African Banks

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Quick Bank Code Finder

South African Universal Branch Codes

Use the six-digit code for the recipient’s bank when a South African EFT, payment form or debit order asks for a universal or generic branch code.

Absa 632005 Universal branch code
FNB 250655 Universal branch code
Standard Bank 051001 Keep the leading zero
Nedbank 198765 Universal branch code
Capitec Bank 470010 Universal branch code
African Bank 430000 Universal branch code
Discovery Bank 679000 Universal branch code
GoTyme Bank / TymeBank 678910 Generic branch code
Investec Bank 580105 Universal branch code
OM Bank 352000 Generic branch code
Bidvest Bank 462005 Universal branch code
Postbank 460005 Universal branch code
Bank Zero 888000 Universal branch code
Quick Answer

The most searched South African universal branch codes are Absa 632005, FNB 250655, Standard Bank 051001, Nedbank 198765 and Capitec 470010. A universal branch code is a single six-digit code that can be used for many local electronic payments without finding the physical branch where the recipient opened the account.

A branch code helps a payment system identify the receiving bank or banking branch. Many South African banks provide a universal or central branch code so customers do not have to search for the code of a specific physical branch.

This is especially useful when adding a new beneficiary, completing salary banking details, setting up a debit order or filling in a form that asks for a six-digit branch code.

Universal Branch Code Table

Bank Universal or generic branch code Useful note
Absa Bank 632005 Use for standard Absa electronic banking details where a universal branch code is accepted.
FNB / First National Bank 250655 Common universal code used for FNB accounts.
Standard Bank 051001 The first zero is part of the six-digit code.
Nedbank 198765 Common Nedbank universal branch code for electronic banking.
Capitec Bank 470010 Capitec publishes 470010 as its branch code for electronic transactions and internet banking.
African Bank 430000 Generic branch code for African Bank.
Discovery Bank 679000 Used when adding a Discovery Bank account as a beneficiary at another bank.
GoTyme Bank / TymeBank 678910 The payment branch code remains 678910.
Investec Bank 580105 Universal branch code used for Investec banking details.
OM Bank 352000 Generic branch code used for OM Bank accounts.
Bidvest Bank 462005 Bidvest Bank publishes this as its branch code for banking and international payment details.
Postbank 460005 Used for Postbank account electronic transfer details.
Bank Zero 888000 Central branch code used for Bank Zero.
Always use the code supplied with the recipient’s banking details if their bank gives specific instructions.

The codes above are useful for standard local payment situations. Some account types, business banking products or specialised payment systems can provide their own banking instructions.

What Is a Universal Branch Code?

A universal branch code is one code used across a bank for electronic payments.

Instead of asking:

“Which exact FNB, Absa or Nedbank branch opened this account?”

the payment system can use the bank’s universal code.

For example, someone paying a Capitec customer usually does not need to know where the account was opened. The standard Capitec branch code is 470010.

You may also see the terms central branch code, generic branch code or CBC.

In everyday South African banking, these terms are often used for the single bank-wide code entered when a payment system does not require a physical branch code.

Universal Branch Code vs Specific Branch Code

Universal Branch Code One bank-wide code used for many electronic payments regardless of the physical branch where the account was originally opened.
Specific Branch Code A code linked to a particular branch or banking location in a bank’s branch network.
SWIFT / BIC Code An international bank identifier. It is different from a South African six-digit branch code.

Example

An FNB account may originally have been opened at a branch with its own local branch code.

For a normal electronic beneficiary payment, the universal FNB code 250655 can commonly be used instead of searching for the original branch.

Do not replace a specific code when the recipient has deliberately given you different payment instructions.

If an invoice, account confirmation letter or bank instruction specifically tells you to use a particular branch code, use the details supplied for that account or confirm them with the recipient.

How to Use a Universal Branch Code for an EFT

1 Choose the recipient’s bank

Select the correct bank from your banking app or internet banking beneficiary list.

2 Enter the account holder’s details

Capture the beneficiary name and account number exactly as supplied.

3 Enter the universal branch code

Use the six-digit code for the selected bank if your banking platform asks for it.

4 Select the account type where required

Choose the account type given by the recipient, such as current, cheque or savings.

5 Check every digit before saving

Confirm the bank, account number and branch code before adding the beneficiary.

6 Use the correct payment reference

If you are paying an invoice, loan, school, municipality or company, the reference can be important for allocating the payment to your account.

When Can You Use a Universal Branch Code?

Adding an EFT beneficiary A banking app can ask for a six-digit branch code when you save a new beneficiary.
Salary banking details Payroll forms often request bank name, account number, account type and branch code.
Debit order forms A debit order mandate can request the bank’s generic branch code.
Refund forms Businesses can ask for banking details when processing a refund.
Supplier payments Companies can use universal branch codes when loading supplier bank accounts into payment systems.
Account validation forms Many electronic payment systems use central branch codes during bank account validation.

Do Not Drop the Zero From Standard Bank’s Code

Standard Bank’s universal branch code is 051001.

It contains six digits. The first zero is part of the branch code. Do not enter 51001 into a form that requires the full six-digit branch code.

This can be especially important when storing bank details in a spreadsheet. A spreadsheet can automatically remove a leading zero if the column is treated as a number.

If you are preparing payroll or supplier banking records, store branch codes as text so that 051001 remains six digits.

Universal Codes for Digital Banks

Digital banks make the universal code idea particularly simple because customers are not normally tied to a traditional branch where the account was opened.

Digital bank Branch code
Discovery Bank 679000
GoTyme Bank / TymeBank 678910
Bank Zero 888000
OM Bank 352000
Bank names can change while the payment code remains the same.

If your banking app still displays TymeBank while another document uses the GoTyme Bank name, check the account details rather than assuming the branch code must have changed.

Is a Universal Branch Code the Same as a SWIFT Code?

No.

A South African universal branch code is normally a six-digit local banking code.

A SWIFT code, also called a BIC, is an international bank identifier made up of letters and sometimes numbers.

Local EFT Usually requires the bank, account number and branch code.
International Transfer Can require the bank’s SWIFT/BIC, beneficiary account details and other international payment information.
Do not interchange them A six-digit universal branch code does not replace a SWIFT/BIC when the international payment instructions require one.
Ask the receiving bank for international payment instructions.

International transfers can require more information than an ordinary South African EFT. Do not build an international transfer using only the universal branch code.

What Happens If You Enter the Wrong Branch Code?

An incorrect branch code can cause a banking platform to reject the beneficiary details or create a routing or validation problem.

The result depends on the bank, account and payment system. Do not assume that a wrong code will always be automatically corrected.

If you have already sent money using incorrect banking details, contact your bank as soon as possible.

Do not wait for the recipient to tell you whether the payment arrived. Give the bank the transaction reference and explain which payment detail may have been incorrect.

Can you cancel an EFT after sending it?

That depends on the payment status and the banks involved. A bank may be able to investigate or request recovery, but recovery should never be assumed to be guaranteed.

This is why checking the account number before authorising the payment is more important than trying to fix a payment afterward.

How to Check Banking Details Before Paying

Before sending an EFT, check:
  • The recipient’s full account holder name.
  • The correct bank.
  • The account number digit by digit.
  • The six-digit branch code.
  • The account type if requested.
  • The payment reference.
  • Any account verification result shown by your bank.

Use a proof of account where possible

If you are paying a new supplier, landlord or service provider, ask for banking details from a reliable source.

For an important or high-value payment, confirm unexpected banking detail changes through a trusted contact method before paying.

Be careful when banking details suddenly change by email.

Invoice interception scams can involve criminals changing banking details on an invoice or email. Confirm an unexpected bank account change using contact details you already trust rather than the phone number supplied in the suspicious message.

Quick Bank Code Answers

What is the Absa universal branch code?

The Absa universal branch code is 632005.

What is the FNB universal branch code?

The FNB universal branch code is 250655.

What is the Standard Bank universal branch code?

The Standard Bank universal branch code is 051001. Remember the leading zero.

What is the Nedbank universal branch code?

The Nedbank universal branch code is 198765.

What is the Capitec universal branch code?

The Capitec branch code for electronic transactions is 470010.

What is the African Bank universal branch code?

The African Bank branch code is 430000.

What is the Discovery Bank branch code?

The Discovery Bank branch code is 679000.

What is the GoTyme Bank or TymeBank branch code?

The branch code is 678910.

What is the OM Bank branch code?

The OM Bank branch code is 352000.

What is the Bank Zero branch code?

The Bank Zero branch code is 888000.

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Standard Bank Loans

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Absa Personal Loans

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Nedbank Loans

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African Bank Personal Loans

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Universal Branch Code Questions

What is a universal branch code?

A universal branch code is a single bank-wide branch code used for many electronic transactions without needing the code of the physical branch where the account was opened.

What is the FNB universal branch code?

The FNB universal branch code is 250655.

What is the Capitec universal branch code?

The Capitec branch code for electronic transactions is 470010.

What is the Absa universal branch code?

The Absa universal branch code is 632005.

What is the Standard Bank universal branch code?

The Standard Bank universal branch code is 051001. The leading zero is part of the code.

What is the Nedbank universal branch code?

The Nedbank universal branch code is 198765.

What is the African Bank branch code?

The African Bank branch code is 430000.

What is the Discovery Bank branch code?

The Discovery Bank branch code is 679000.

What is the TymeBank or GoTyme Bank branch code?

The branch code is 678910.

What is the OM Bank branch code?

The OM Bank branch code is 352000.

What is the Bank Zero branch code?

The Bank Zero branch code is 888000.

Can I use a universal branch code for any branch of the same bank?

For normal electronic payments where the bank accepts its universal code, you generally do not need to know the physical branch that opened the account. Use specific banking instructions if the recipient’s account or payment process requires them.

Is a universal branch code the same as a SWIFT code?

No. A South African universal branch code is normally a six-digit local banking code. A SWIFT or BIC code is used to identify banks in international payment systems.

Can I use a universal branch code for an international transfer?

Do not rely on the universal branch code alone. International payments can require the bank’s SWIFT or BIC code, beneficiary details and other international payment information.

Why does Standard Bank’s code start with zero?

051001 is the full six-digit Standard Bank universal code. The first zero must be retained when the payment form requires six digits.

What happens if I use the wrong branch code?

The payment can fail validation, be rejected or experience a routing problem. If you have already submitted a payment with incorrect bank details, contact your bank as soon as possible.

Should I use a universal code or the code on a proof of account?

If the bank account confirmation or recipient’s official banking instructions provide a specific code for that account, use those details or confirm them with the bank before changing the code.