Complete list of SWIFT/BIC codes for Standard Chartered Bank in the United Arab Emirates. Find the right code for international wire transfers to Standard Chartered accounts in UAE. Standard Chartered Bank operates 4 active SWIFT/BIC codes in the UAE, covering its Dubai headquarters, Abu Dhabi branch, the DIFC offshore banking unit and the Wealth Management division.
Quick Reference
For most international transfers to Standard Chartered Bank accounts in the UAE, use SCBLAEAD (or SCBLAEADXXX if your sender’s system requires 11 characters). This code routes payments to the bank’s UAE head office in Downtown Dubai. If your recipient holds an account at the Abu Dhabi branch, a DIFC offshore account or a Wealth Management account, use the dedicated branch code below for faster, direct routing.
Standard Chartered Head Office SWIFT Code
Head Office – Main Banking Center
All Standard Chartered SWIFT Codes by Branch and Department
Dubai Branches
Abu Dhabi Branches
Standard Chartered SWIFT Codes Summary Table
| SWIFT Code | Branch / Department | Emirate | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCBLAEAD / SCBLAEADXXX | Head Office (8- and 11-char formats) | Dubai | Standard Chartered Tower, Emaar Square, Downtown Dubai |
| SCBLAEADABD | Abu Dhabi Main Branch | Abu Dhabi | Al Khatem Tower, Al Maryah Island |
| SCBLAEADDIF | DIFC Offshore Banking | Dubai | Building One, Gate Precinct, DIFC |
| SCBLAEADWMO | Wealth Management | Dubai | Standard Chartered Tower, Emaar Square, Downtown Dubai |
Legacy and Historical SWIFT Codes
Standard Chartered Bank acquired the Middle East and South Asia operations of ANZ Grindlays Bank in 2000. After the integration, all former Grindlays customer accounts in the UAE were migrated to Standard Chartered SWIFT codes. There are no separate active legacy BIC codes for Standard Chartered Bank in the United Arab Emirates today – unlike some other UAE banks (such as FAB, which retained FGBMAEAA after the NBAD-FGB merger), Standard Chartered consolidated UAE operations under the SCBL-prefixed codes.
| Legacy SWIFT Code | Former Entity | Current Status | Replacement Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| GRINAEAD | ANZ Grindlays Bank, Dubai (pre-2000) | Discontinued / Inactive | SCBLAEAD |
| GRINAEAA | ANZ Grindlays Bank, Abu Dhabi (pre-2000) | Discontinued / Inactive | SCBLAEADABD |
If you have old payment instructions referencing a GRIN-prefixed SWIFT code, replace it with the corresponding active SCBL code from the table above before initiating a transfer.
Understanding the Standard Chartered SWIFT Code
A SWIFT code consists of 8 or 11 characters:
Bank Code
Country
Location
Branch (default)
Standard Chartered Branch and Department Codes
XXX
Head Office (Downtown Dubai) — default suffix in 11-char formatABD
Abu Dhabi Main BranchDIF
DIFC Offshore BankingWMO
Wealth Management Operations
How to Send Money to Standard Chartered Bank UAE
To make an international wire transfer to Standard Chartered 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 SCBLAEAD or SCBLAEADXXX for general transfers) - Beneficiary’s IBAN
23-character account number starting with AE (e.g., AE44 0440 0000 1234 5678 901) - Beneficiary’s Full Name
Exactly as registered with the bank, no initials or abbreviations - Bank Address
Standard Chartered Tower, Emaar Square, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, P.O. Box 999, 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 – Standard Chartered Bank SWIFT Codes
What is the main SWIFT code for Standard Chartered Bank UAE?
The primary SWIFT code for Standard Chartered Bank in the UAE is SCBLAEAD (or SCBLAEADXXX in the 11-character format). This code routes payments to the bank’s UAE head office in Downtown Dubai and is valid for most international transfers regardless of which UAE branch holds the recipient’s account.
Can I use SCBLAEAD instead of SCBLAEADXXX?
Yes. Both formats are valid and refer to the same head-office BIC. The 8-character version (SCBLAEAD) automatically defaults to the head office. International banking systems accept both, though some foreign banks’ payment platforms require exactly 11 characters, in which case use SCBLAEADXXX.
Is the SWIFT code the same for all Standard Chartered branches in the UAE?
The base code SCBLAEAD is valid for all Standard Chartered Bank branches in the UAE and will route payments correctly. However, for accounts held at the Abu Dhabi branch, the DIFC offshore banking unit or the Wealth Management division, there are dedicated codes (SCBLAEADABD, SCBLAEADDIF and SCBLAEADWMO) that ensure direct routing without internal transfers.
What is the SWIFT code for Standard Chartered Abu Dhabi?
The SWIFT code for Standard Chartered Bank’s Abu Dhabi branch is SCBLAEADABD. The branch is located at Al Khatem Tower, Abu Dhabi Global Market Square, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi.
What is the SWIFT code for Standard Chartered DIFC?
The SWIFT code for Standard Chartered Bank’s DIFC offshore banking unit is SCBLAEADDIF. This code should be used for transfers to accounts held under Standard Chartered Bank, Dubai International Financial Centre Branch, which is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). The branch is located at 7th Floor, Building One, Gate Precinct, DIFC, P.O. Box 999, Dubai.
What is the SWIFT code for Standard Chartered Wealth Management and Priority Banking?
The SWIFT code for Standard Chartered Bank’s Wealth Management division in the UAE is SCBLAEADWMO. This code is used for Priority Banking and Private Banking client accounts managed from the bank’s head office in Downtown Dubai. For standard retail transfers, the main code SCBLAEAD is sufficient.
What happens if I use the wrong Standard Chartered branch code?
In most cases the transaction will not fail. Standard Chartered’s central clearing operation in the UAE receives SWIFT messages regardless of the branch suffix, and incorrect codes trigger internal routing that redirects funds to the correct branch or account. This may result in additional internal routing time and, in some cases, intermediary-bank fees, so always confirm the correct branch code with the beneficiary before sending.
Does Standard Chartered have legacy SWIFT codes from previous mergers?
Standard Chartered Bank acquired the Middle East operations of ANZ Grindlays Bank in 2000. The former Grindlays SWIFT codes (such as GRINAEAD for Dubai and GRINAEAA for Abu Dhabi) are no longer active in the SWIFT network for UAE operations. All historical Grindlays customer accounts in the UAE were migrated to the Standard Chartered SCBL codes. Use only the active SCBL-prefixed codes listed above.
Is the SWIFT code different for AED vs. foreign currency accounts?
No. SWIFT code selection is independent of currency. The same code serves accounts denominated in AED, USD, EUR, GBP, and all other currencies Standard Chartered handles in the UAE. Currency identification occurs through separate fields in the SWIFT message format (specifically the MT103 currency code field).
Does Standard Chartered offer Islamic banking in the UAE?
Yes. Standard Chartered Bank UAE offers Shariah-compliant banking services under the Saadiq brand. Saadiq accounts use the same SWIFT codes as the bank’s conventional accounts: SCBLAEAD for the head office and the relevant branch codes (SCBLAEADABD, SCBLAEADDIF, SCBLAEADWMO) where applicable.
What is Standard Chartered’s official SWIFT code according to the bank?
According to Standard Chartered Bank’s official UAE website (sc.com/ae), the official SWIFT code is SCBLAEAD. This code is used for international fund transfers to Standard Chartered accounts across all branches in the UAE.
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 Standard Chartered Bank UAE website (sc.com/ae) 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.
