Complete list of SWIFT/BIC codes for Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) in the United Arab Emirates. Find the right code for international wire transfers to ABK accounts in UAE. ABK operates 3 licensed SWIFT-registered branches in the UAE – one retail branch in Dubai (Deira), one wholesale branch at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and one branch in Abu Dhabi.
Quick Reference
For international transfers to ABK UAE accounts, use ABKKAEAD (Dubai Branch) or ABKKAEAA (Abu Dhabi Branch). For wholesale and institutional clients of the DIFC office use ABKKAEA2. Each ABK branch in the UAE has its own dedicated SWIFT code – always confirm with the beneficiary which branch holds their account before initiating a wire transfer.
ABK UAE Head Office SWIFT Code
Dubai Branch – UAE Regional Head Office
All ABK SWIFT Codes by Branch
Dubai Branches
Abu Dhabi Branches
ABK SWIFT Codes Summary Table
| SWIFT Code | Branch | Emirate | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABKKAEAD (ABKKAEADXXX) |
Dubai Branch (Deira) | Dubai | Abu Baker Al Siddique Road, Deira (Opposite Hamarain Centre), P.O. Box 1719 |
| ABKKAEA2 (ABKKAEA2XXX) |
DIFC Branch (Wholesale) | Dubai | Emirates Financial Towers, North Tower, Level 21, Unit 01, DIFC, P.O. Box 507162 |
| ABKKAEAA (ABKKAEAAXXX) |
Abu Dhabi Branch | Abu Dhabi | EIBFS Muroor Tower, Sector E25, Al Muroor Street, P.O. Box 7941 |
Understanding the ABK SWIFT Code
A SWIFT code consists of 8 or 11 characters that uniquely identify the bank, country, location and (optionally) branch:
Bank Code
Country
Location
Branch
ABK Location and Branch Codes
AD
Dubai Branch (Deira) – retail and commercial bankingA2
DIFC Branch – wholesale and institutional bankingAA
Abu Dhabi Branch – retail and corporate bankingXXX
Branch head office routing (default suffix)
Related International Code (Parent Bank, Kuwait HQ)
ABKKKWKW
Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait K.S.C.P., Head Office, Ahmed Al Jaber Street, Safat Square, P.O. Box 1387, Safat 13014, Kuwait City, Kuwait. Use only for transfers to ABK Kuwait, not for ABK UAE accounts.
How to Send Money to ABK UAE
To make an international wire transfer to Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait in the UAE, you’ll need the following information from the beneficiary:
Required Information for Wire Transfer
- SWIFT/BIC Code
Select ABKKAEAD for Dubai retail accounts, ABKKAEA2 for DIFC wholesale accounts, or ABKKAEAA for Abu Dhabi accounts - Beneficiary’s IBAN
23-character UAE account number starting with AE (e.g., AE07 0XXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXX) - Beneficiary’s Full Name
Exactly as registered with the bank – no initials or abbreviations - Bank Address
The full address of the receiving branch (Deira, DIFC or Al Muroor Street – see the table above) - Purpose of Payment Code
Required for UAE transfers (e.g., SAL for salary, FAM for family support, OAT for own account transfer, GDS for goods)
FAQ – ABK SWIFT Codes
What is the main SWIFT code for Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait in the UAE?
ABK operates three SWIFT-registered branches in the UAE, each with its own dedicated code. The Dubai (Deira) Branch uses ABKKAEAD (or ABKKAEADXXX), the DIFC wholesale branch uses ABKKAEA2 (or ABKKAEA2XXX), and the Abu Dhabi Branch uses ABKKAEAA (or ABKKAEAAXXX). Use the code that matches the branch where the beneficiary’s account is held.
Can I use ABKKAEAD instead of ABKKAEADXXX?
Yes. Both formats are valid. The 8-character version (ABKKAEAD) automatically defaults to the branch’s head office. International banking systems accept both, though some foreign payment platforms require exactly 11 characters – in which case use ABKKAEADXXX. The same rule applies to ABKKAEA2/ABKKAEA2XXX and ABKKAEAA/ABKKAEAAXXX.
Is the SWIFT code the same for all ABK UAE branches?
No. Unlike many UAE banks that share a single SWIFT code across all branches, ABK uses three distinct codes – one per branch – because each branch is licensed and registered separately with the SWIFT network. Always verify with the beneficiary which branch holds the account before initiating a transfer.
What is the SWIFT code for ABK Dubai?
The SWIFT code for the Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait Dubai Branch is ABKKAEAD (or ABKKAEADXXX). The branch is located opposite Hamarain Centre on Abu Baker Al Siddique Road in Deira, Dubai, P.O. Box 1719.
What is the SWIFT code for ABK DIFC?
The SWIFT code for the Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait DIFC Branch is ABKKAEA2 (or ABKKAEA2XXX). This branch operates from Emirates Financial Towers, North Tower, Level 21, Unit 01 (P.O. Box 507162), within the Dubai International Financial Centre and serves wholesale, corporate and institutional clients under DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority) regulation, separately from the retail Deira branch.
What is the SWIFT code for ABK Abu Dhabi?
The SWIFT code for the Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait Abu Dhabi Branch is ABKKAEAA (or ABKKAEAAXXX). The branch is located in the EIBFS Muroor Tower (Emirates Institute for Finance, Banking and Studies), Sector E25, Al Muroor Street, Al Nadi Seyahi, P.O. Box 7941, Abu Dhabi.
What happens if I use the wrong ABK branch code?
The transaction will not typically fail. ABK’s central clearing system can re-route SWIFT messages internally, but this may result in additional internal routing time. In some cases the sending or correspondent bank may charge a repair fee. Always confirm the correct SWIFT code with your beneficiary before sending – especially because ABK uses different codes for Dubai retail, DIFC wholesale and Abu Dhabi.
Is the SWIFT code different for AED vs. foreign currency accounts?
No. The SWIFT code is independent of currency. The same code serves accounts denominated in AED, USD, EUR, GBP, KWD and all other currencies that ABK handles. Currency identification occurs through a separate field in the MT103 SWIFT message format.
Why does the DIFC branch have a different SWIFT code format (ABKKAEA2)?
The “A2” is simply the SWIFT location identifier assigned to ABK’s DIFC branch when it was registered with SWIFT as a separate licensed entity. SWIFT assigns alphanumeric location codes (e.g., AD, AA, A2) to differentiate branches; the use of a digit has no special regulatory meaning. The DIFC branch is licensed separately by the DFSA, which is why it has its own dedicated BIC distinct from the onshore branches (ABKKAEAD and ABKKAEAA).
Can I use ABK’s Kuwait SWIFT code (ABKKKWKW) to send money to a UAE account?
No. ABKKKWKW is the SWIFT code for ABK’s head office in Kuwait City and only routes funds to Kuwait-based accounts. For UAE accounts you must use one of the three UAE branch codes: ABKKAEAD (Dubai), ABKKAEA2 (DIFC) or ABKKAEAA (Abu Dhabi). Using the wrong country code may cause the transfer to be returned by the receiving bank.
How many SWIFT codes does ABK have in the UAE?
Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait has three SWIFT codes in the UAE – ABKKAEAD (Dubai retail branch in Deira), ABKKAEA2 (DIFC wholesale branch) and ABKKAEAA (Abu Dhabi branch). This is among the smallest SWIFT footprints of any foreign bank operating in the UAE, reflecting ABK’s focused branch presence.
What is ABK’s official SWIFT code according to the bank?
According to the official SWIFT registry and ABK’s published banking details, the official UAE SWIFT codes are ABKKAEAD (Dubai Branch), ABKKAEA2 (DIFC Branch) and ABKKAEAA (Abu Dhabi Branch). The parent bank’s head-office code in Kuwait is ABKKKWKW.
Important Disclaimer
The SWIFT code information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. While we strive to keep this information accurate and up-to-date, we recommend verifying the SWIFT code on the official Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait website (eahli.com) or contacting the branch directly before making large transfers. We are not liable for any delays, losses, or errors that may occur as a result of using incorrect banking details.
