Complete list of SWIFT/BIC codes for Saudi National Bank (SNB) branches in the United Arab Emirates. Find the right code for international wire transfers to SNB accounts in UAE. SNB operates in the UAE as a foreign branch of The Saudi National Bank (Saudi Arabia) – the largest financial institution in the Kingdom – with branches in Downtown Dubai, DIFC and Abu Dhabi.
Quick Reference
For most international transfers to SNB UAE accounts, use SAMBAEAD or SAMBAEADXXX. An alternative code SAMBAEAC is used specifically for the DIFC branch. Both codes are legacy Samba Financial Group identifiers that remain active under SNB after the 2021 SNB–Samba merger. If your recipient has provided a specific branch code, use that for faster processing.
SNB UAE Head Branch SWIFT Code
Dubai Branch – Main Banking Center
All SNB SWIFT Codes by Branch in the UAE
Dubai Branches
Abu Dhabi Branches
SNB UAE SWIFT Codes Summary Table
| SWIFT Code | Branch / Department | Emirate | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAMBAEAD | Dubai Main Branch (Head Branch UAE) | Dubai | Emaar Square, Building 2, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai |
| SAMBAEAC | DIFC Branch | Dubai | Gate Building, Floor 6, DIFC Gate District |
| SAMBAEAD | Abu Dhabi Branch (routed via Dubai) | Abu Dhabi | Al Mansoor Tower, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street (Salam Street) |
Legacy and Related SWIFT Codes
The Saudi National Bank was formed in April 2021 through the merger of National Commercial Bank (NCB) and Samba Financial Group. Although SNB’s UAE SWIFT codes (SAMBAEAD and SAMBAEAC) were inherited from the Samba era and remain fully active, a few related historical codes deserve mention. Please do not use these for new transfers – they are listed only for reference.
| SWIFT Code | Status | Original Entity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAMBSARI | Deprecated | Samba Financial Group (Saudi Arabia head office) | Former head-office code of Samba in Riyadh. After the 2021 merger, all Samba KSA accounts were migrated to NCBKSAJE (SNB Saudi Arabia). Not a UAE code, but often confused with SAMBAEAD by senders. |
| SAMBAEAD (legacy use) | Re-purposed (still active) | Samba Financial Group – Dubai Branch | Originally issued to Samba’s UAE branch before the merger. Now operated by SNB UAE – continues to work for all incoming wires. |
| SAMBAEAC (legacy use) | Re-purposed (still active) | Samba Financial Group – DIFC Branch | Originally issued to Samba’s DIFC branch. Now operated by SNB UAE (DIFC Branch). Remains valid for all transfers. |
Understanding the SNB UAE SWIFT Code
A SWIFT code consists of 8 or 11 characters:
Bank Code
Country
Location
Branch
SNB UAE Branch Codes
SAMB
Bank Code (inherited from Samba Financial Group)AE
Country Code – United Arab EmiratesAD
Location Code – Dubai (Downtown / Main Branch)AC
Location Code – Dubai (DIFC Branch)XXX
Head Branch / default routing
How to Send Money to SNB UAE
To make an international wire transfer to The Saudi National Bank in the UAE, you’ll need the following information:
Required Information for Wire Transfer
- SWIFT/BIC Code
Select from the table above based on the branch (use SAMBAEAD for general transfers to SNB UAE; use SAMBAEAC only for DIFC clients) - Beneficiary’s IBAN
23-character account number starting with AE (e.g., AE07 0331 2345 6789 0123 456) - Beneficiary’s Full Name
Exactly as registered with the bank – no initials or abbreviations - Bank Address
Emaar Square, Building 2, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, P.O. Box 6038, Downtown 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 – SNB UAE SWIFT Codes
What is the main SWIFT code for Saudi National Bank in the UAE?
The primary SWIFT code for The Saudi National Bank in the UAE is SAMBAEAD (or SAMBAEADXXX). This code routes payments to the SNB Dubai Branch in Downtown Dubai, which is the flagship UAE office and also serves the Abu Dhabi sub-branch. An alternative code, SAMBAEAC, is used for the DIFC branch.
Can I use SAMBAEAD instead of SAMBAEADXXX?
Yes. Both formats are valid. The 8-character version (SAMBAEAD) automatically defaults to the head branch. International banking systems accept both, though some foreign banks’ payment platforms require exactly 11 characters – in which case use SAMBAEADXXX.
Why does SNB’s UAE SWIFT code start with “SAMB” instead of “NCBK”?
The Saudi National Bank was created in April 2021 through the merger of National Commercial Bank (NCB) and Samba Financial Group. In Saudi Arabia the surviving bank code is “NCBK” (NCBKSAJE), but in the UAE the operating entity remains the previously Samba-registered branch. Therefore SNB’s UAE branches continue to use the legacy Samba code “SAMB” – SAMBAEAD for Dubai and SAMBAEAC for DIFC.
What is the SWIFT code for the SNB DIFC branch?
The SWIFT code for the SNB DIFC Branch is SAMBAEAC (or SAMBAEACXXX). It is used for corporate and institutional clients served from the Gate Building in the Dubai International Financial Centre.
Is the SWIFT code different for SNB’s Abu Dhabi branch?
No. The Abu Dhabi office at Al Mansoor Tower on Salam Street operates as a sub-branch under the same legal entity as the Dubai branch (“The Saudi National Bank – Dubai and Abu Dhabi Branches”). Use SAMBAEAD for incoming transfers; the bank’s internal system will route the funds to the correct office automatically.
What happens if I use the wrong SNB UAE branch code?
The transaction will not fail. SNB’s central clearing system in the UAE receives all SWIFT messages regardless of branch suffix. Incorrect codes trigger internal routing protocols that redirect funds to the correct branch or account. Processing delay is typically 24-48 hours. No additional fees are charged by SNB for internal re-routing.
Is the SWIFT code the same for AED and foreign currency accounts?
Yes. SWIFT code selection is independent of currency. The same code serves accounts denominated in AED, USD, EUR, GBP, SAR and all other currencies that SNB UAE handles. Currency identification occurs through separate fields in the SWIFT MT103 message format.
Is SNB UAE regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE?
Yes. The Saudi National Bank Dubai Branch is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates. The DIFC branch is additionally regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). Its registered office for UAE operations is P.O. Box 6038, Dubai.
Does SNB UAE offer Islamic banking services?
Yes. SNB UAE offers a range of Sharia-compliant banking products and services, supervised by the bank’s Sharia Board. All Islamic and conventional products use the same SAMBAEAD SWIFT code for international transfers.
What is SNB UAE’s official SWIFT code according to the bank?
According to The Saudi National Bank’s official UAE materials (alahli.com), the official SNB UAE SWIFT code is SAMBAEAD. This code is used for all international fund transfers to SNB accounts at the Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches. The separate code SAMBAEAC applies only to the DIFC branch.
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 Saudi National Bank website (alahli.com) 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.
