Complete list of SWIFT/BIC codes for Habib Bank Limited (HBL) in the United Arab Emirates. Find the right code for international wire transfers to HBL accounts in UAE. Unlike most local banks, HBL UAE operates under a single unified active SWIFT code – HABBAEAD – shared across all its branches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Al Ain.
Quick Reference
For all international transfers to HBL accounts in the UAE, use HABBAEAD (also accepted in the 11-character format HABBAEADXXX). This single code routes payments to any HBL branch in the country – branch-specific routing happens internally via the recipient’s IBAN. Note: legacy codes HABBAEA10AA (Abu Dhabi) and HABBAEA10AS (Sharjah) are no longer active and should not be used.
HBL Head Office SWIFT Code
Head Office – Main Banking Center
All HBL SWIFT Codes by Branch and Emirate
Habib Bank Limited UAE operates 5 physical branches across 4 emirates. Unlike multi-branch banks with branch-level SWIFT suffixes, HBL UAE uses a single centralised SWIFT code HABBAEAD for every branch listed below.
Dubai Branches
Abu Dhabi Branches
Al Ain Branches
Sharjah Branches
Legacy / Inactive HBL SWIFT Codes
The following SWIFT codes were historically assigned to HBL branches in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, but are currently registered as passive (inactive) in the SWIFT BIC directory. They should not be used for live international transfers – use HABBAEAD instead.
HBL SWIFT Codes Summary Table
| SWIFT Code | Branch / Department | Emirate | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| HABBAEAD | Bur Dubai Branch (Head Office) | Dubai | Golden Sands 20, M Floor, Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road, Bur Dubai |
| HABBAEAD | Jumeirah Branch | Dubai | Al Manara, Sheikh Zayed Road |
| HABBAEAD | Shiekh Zayed Road Branch | Abu Dhabi | Sheikh Zayed The 1st Street, Abu Dhabi |
| HABBAEAD | Al Ain Branch | Abu Dhabi | Al Ain, Emirate of Abu Dhabi |
| HABBAEAD | Sharjah Branch | Sharjah | Sharjah |
| HABBAEA10AA | Abu Dhabi Branch (Legacy – Inactive) | Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi (passive participant – do not use) |
| HABBAEA10AS | Sharjah Branch (Legacy – Inactive) | Sharjah | Sharjah (passive participant – do not use) |
Understanding the HBL SWIFT Code
A SWIFT code consists of 8 or 11 characters:
Bank Code
Country
Location
Branch
HBL Code Components Explained
HABB
Bank code (Habib Bank)AE
Country code (United Arab Emirates)AD
Location code (Dubai – active HBL UAE BIC)XXX
Branch code (defaults to Head Office; HBL UAE uses no separate branch suffixes)A1
Location code in legacy codes – “1” in position 8 marks the BIC as a passive participant (inactive)0AA
Legacy branch code for the former Abu Dhabi BIC (HABBAEA10AA)0AS
Legacy branch code for the former Sharjah BIC (HABBAEA10AS)
How to Send Money to HBL UAE
To make an international wire transfer to Habib Bank Limited UAE, you’ll need the following information:
Required Information for Wire Transfer
- SWIFT/BIC Code
Use HABBAEAD for all HBL UAE branches (the 11-character format HABBAEADXXX is also accepted by platforms that require exactly 11 characters) - Beneficiary’s IBAN
23-character account number starting with AE (e.g., AE12 0560 0000 0012 3456 789) - Beneficiary’s Full Name
Exactly as registered with HBL – no initials or abbreviations - Bank Address
Habib Bank Limited, Golden Sands 20, M Floor, Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road, P.O. Box 888, Bur Dubai, Dubai, UAE - Purpose of Payment Code
Required for UAE transfers (e.g., SAL for salary, FAM for family support, OAT for own account transfer)
FAQ – HBL SWIFT Codes
What is the main SWIFT code for Habib Bank Limited in the UAE?
The primary SWIFT code for Habib Bank Limited (HBL) in the UAE is HABBAEAD (also accepted in the 11-character format HABBAEADXXX by platforms that require exactly 11 characters). This code routes payments to HBL’s UAE operations and is valid for all branches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Al Ain.
Is the SWIFT code the same for all HBL branches in the UAE?
Yes. Unlike many UAE banks that issue branch-specific SWIFT suffixes, Habib Bank Limited UAE uses a single centralised SWIFT code – HABBAEAD – for every branch in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Al Ain. Internal routing to the correct branch is handled via the recipient’s IBAN.
Are HABBAEA10AA and HABBAEA10AS still valid SWIFT codes?
No. According to the SWIFT BIC directory, both HABBAEA10AA (Abu Dhabi) and HABBAEA10AS (Sharjah) are currently registered as passive (inactive) codes. They were historically assigned to HBL’s Abu Dhabi and Sharjah branches but are no longer used for live SWIFT message routing. For any international transfer to HBL UAE – including the Abu Dhabi and Sharjah branches – always use the active code HABBAEAD. HBL UAE consolidates all incoming SWIFT traffic through this single BIC; the destination branch is identified automatically via the recipient’s IBAN.
Is HBL the same as Habib Bank AG Zurich (HBZ) in the UAE?
No. These are two separate banks, even though both originated from the Habib family. Habib Bank Limited (HBL) uses the SWIFT code HABBAEAD. Habib Bank AG Zurich (HBZ) operates independently with its own SWIFT code (HBZUAEAD). Always confirm with the recipient which bank they hold an account with before initiating a transfer.
What is the SWIFT code for HBL Dubai branches?
Both HBL Dubai branches – Bur Dubai (Head Office) on Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road and Jumeirah Branch on Sheikh Zayed Road – use the SWIFT code HABBAEAD. The recipient’s IBAN determines the destination branch automatically.
What is the SWIFT code for HBL Abu Dhabi branch?
HBL Shiekh Zayed Road Branch (Sheikh Zayed The 1st Street, Abu Dhabi) and HBL Al Ain Branch both operate under the active SWIFT code HABBAEAD. The legacy code HABBAEA10AA is no longer in use.
What is the SWIFT code for HBL Sharjah branch?
HBL Sharjah Branch uses HABBAEAD. The legacy code HABBAEA10AS that previously referenced this branch is no longer active.
How long does an international transfer to HBL UAE take?
International wire transfers to HBL UAE typically take 1-5 business days, depending on the sending bank, intermediary banks and cut-off times. SWIFT gpi transfers can arrive within a few hours.
Is the SWIFT code different for AED vs. foreign currency accounts?
No. SWIFT code selection is independent of currency. The same code HABBAEAD serves accounts denominated in AED, USD, EUR, GBP and other currencies HBL UAE handles. Currency identification occurs through a separate field in the SWIFT MT103 message format.
Where is HBL UAE’s head office located?
HBL UAE’s head office is located at Golden Sands 20, M Floor, Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road, P.O. Box 888, Bur Dubai, Dubai, UAE. Phone: +971 4 3029 111 / 600 522 228. Fax: +971 4 359 4172. Email: Help.UAE@hbl.com.
Does HBL UAE offer Islamic banking services?
Yes. HBL UAE offers Sharia-compliant Islamic banking products, including HBL Islamic Home Finance based on Musharakah (Shirkat-ul-Milk). All Islamic banking transactions also use the same SWIFT code HABBAEAD.
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 Habib Bank Limited website (hbl.com/uae) or contacting the bank 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.
