Nigerian Banks in the UK

Have you just moved to the UK from Nigeria? Or are you thinking about relocating from Nigeria to the UK? If so, you might be looking to open a bank account with a bank you’re already familiar with - or perhaps even transfer an existing account over.

You may also have connections to Nigeria. It might be that you have a relative living there, and you want an easy way to send and receive money between Nigeria and the UK.

Whichever is the case, we’re here to help. We’ve put together a guide to Nigerian banks in the UK, so you’ll be able to check out your options. We’ll cover the products and services each offers, along with details of branch locations and fees too.

And if you’re looking for an affordable, convenient way to send money abroad from the UK, check out Wise. You can send worldwide for low fees and fair exchange rates. It could work out much cheaper than using your bank for international transfers.

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A list of Nigerian banks in the UK

There are quite a few Nigerian-owned banks operating in the UK.Over the last decade or so, many have been drawn to London to take advantage of trade finance opportunities.

Below, we’ll run through all of the main Nigerian banks you need to know about. This includes the location of UK branches, so you can find one that’s convenient for you.

We’ll also run through products and services, although bear in mind that some of these banks may only offer services to commercial customers.

The Access Bank UK

Owned by the Nigerian-headquartered Access Bank Group, the UK arm of the financial services conglomerate has a head office in London. It also has an operations division based near Manchester.¹

The bank is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and deposits in current accounts are protected up to £85,000 with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

Products and services

The Access Bank UK specialises in trade finance, asset management and commercial banking.

However, it also offers personal banking services. This includes current accounts, property loans, notice deposit accounts and foreign exchange services.

The Access Bank UK current account is available for senior level professionals and high net worth individuals. However, you only need to make an initial deposit of £500 to open the account. You’ll get your own dedicated Relationship Manager, and can manage your day-to-day transactions through online banking.²

This account also lets you send money internationally, with same-day transfers to accounts held with Access Bank subsidiaries.²

Branches

The Access Bank UK has locations in London and Cheshire, but it doesn’t have high street branches. Everything is managed through online banking or your Relationship Manager.

Fees

A current account comes with a flat fee of £10 a month, and you’ll pay a 5% fee for sending money outside the UK.³

Zenith Bank

Zenith Bank is one of the largest in Nigeria, with its headquarters in Lagos. It launched in the UK back in 2007, while also having subsidiaries throughout Ghana, Sierra Leone and Gambia.The bank is FCA regulated and its UK head office is in London.

Products and services

In the UK, Zenith Bank only offers the following services:

• Trade services
• Corporate banking
• Treasury services and capital markets
• Wealth management, including investments
• Savings, including 1, 2 and 3 year Fixed Term Deposit accounts - with deposits up to £85,000 protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).⁴

You may also be able to use the bank’s diaspora services as a personal customer, for example if you already bank with Zenith in Nigeria.

Branches

Zenith Bank doesn’t have physical high street branches in the UK. However, you can contact the bank and manage any accounts you have with it through online or telephone banking services.

Fees

Fees and charges for Zenith Bank products vary depending on the product. Take a look at the bank’s UK website to find out more.

GTBank UK

Guaranty Trust Bank UK, also known as GTBank UK, is headquartered in London and regulated by the FCA. It’s a subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Bank, which is one of Nigeria’s leading financial services providers.

The bank serves both personal and business customers, with special expertise in assisting corporate clients with connections to Africa.

Products and services

For personal customers, GTBank UK offers current, savings and deposit accounts, along with mortgages.

The GTBank UK Current Account has a £50,000 minimum opening deposit (and you must maintain this balance), so it’s not for everyone. It comes with a debit card, same day transfers between GTBank group accounts and international transfers. You’ll also get a Relationship Manager.⁵

Branches

GTBank UK has just one branch open to the public, located at the following address:⁶

10 Great Castle Street
London
W1W 8LP

Services available in branch include opening an account, ordering a debit card, getting statements or depositing cheques and cash over the counter.

Fees

If you open a GTBank UK Current Account, you’ll pay a monthly fee of £8.95 or an annual fee of £100 to maintain the account.⁵ There are also likely to be other charges, such as sending an international transfer.

FCMB Bank UK

Owned by the Lagos-based First City Monument Bank, FCMB UK launched in the United Kingdom back in 2009. It started life as an investment firm, but now offers personal, business and corporate banking.

Products and services

FCMB UK has a range of personal banking services available. However, it only serves high net worth individuals. So, you’ll need to have a minimum annual income of £100,000 or net worth of £250,000 to be eligible for an account.⁷

If so, you’ll have a choice of a current account, savings account or fixed term deposit account. These are all available in Sterling, US Dollars and Euros.

Branches

FCMB UK doesn’t have high street branches in the UK. However, it does have a head office at Gracechurch Street in London. All other enquiries or banking transactions will be carried out through online banking.

Fees

There’s an annual fee of $100 (or currency equivalent) to maintain a personal account with FCMB UK.⁸ And remember, there’s also some pretty tough eligibility criteria to meet.

FirstBank UK

FirstBank UK is owned by First Bank of Nigeria Limited, a multinational bank based in Lagos. It’s one of the leading financial services providers in West Africa, with a history dating back to 1894.

In the UK, FirstBank is FCA regulated and provides a range of domestic and international banking services.

Products and services

FirstBank UK offers corporate and institutional banking services, as well as private banking. This includes services such as:

• Investment
• Wealth protection
• Property investment
• Personal banking.

To be eligible to open a current account, you’ll need to have a minimum opening balance of £150,000. Furthermore, you’ll need to maintain a minimum monthly balance of at least £10,000.⁹

Branches

The only physical location FirstBank has in the UK is in London, at 28 Finsbury Circus.¹⁰ To manage your account with the bank, you’ll use online banking.

Fees

The bank’s current account comes with a monthly fee of £10, but this is waived if you can meet the minimum monthly balance requirement. There’s also a fee of £20 each time you want to send money outside the UK.⁹

UBA UK

Lastly, there’s UBA UK. It’s owned by United Bank for Africa, which operates in 20 African countries as well as the USA, UAE and UK.

With a headquarters in London, UBA UK is a specialist in international banking. It’s regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Products and services

UBA UK exclusively serves corporate customers, along with African and international financial institutions. This means it offers no services for personal customers.

Branches

UBA has just one location in the UK, at the following address:¹¹

36 Queen Street
London
EC4R 1BN.

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After reading this, you should have a better idea of your options when it comes to Nigerian banks in the UK.

There are a few of them, but be aware that many only serve corporate customers or offer private banking for high net worth clients. So if you’re looking for everyday banking services, these banks may not be the best choice.

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Sources used:

1. The Access Bank UK - About us
2. The Access Bank UK - Current account
3. The Access Bank UK - Fees
4. Zenith Bank - Savings
5. GTBank UK - Current Account
6. GTBank UK - Locate
7. FCMB UK - Personal and Business Banking
8. FCMB UK - Fees
9. FirstBank UK - Fee Information Document
10. FirstBank - Contact us
11. UBA Group - Countries

Sources last checked on date: 25-May-2023