Complete list of SWIFT/BIC codes for United Bank Ltd. (UBL) in the United Arab Emirates. Find the right code for international wire transfers to UBL accounts in UAE. UBL operates with 4 SWIFT codes in the UAE – one primary head-office code and three departmental codes for Trade Finance, Treasury Operations, and Central Processing.
Quick Reference
For most international transfers to UBL accounts in the UAE, use UNILAEAD or UNILAEADXXX. This single code routes payments to all 7 UBL UAE branches. If your recipient has provided a specific department code (TFC, TRY, CPU), use that code for faster processing.
UBL Head Office SWIFT Code
Head Office – UAE
All UBL SWIFT Codes by Department
Head Office Departments
UBL SWIFT Codes Summary Table
| SWIFT Code | Branch / Department | Emirate | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNILAEAD (UNILAEADXXX) |
Head Office (all UAE branches) | Dubai | Manazil Al Rafaa Building, Khalid Bin Waleed Street, Bur Dubai |
| UNILAEADTFC | Trade Finance Centre | Dubai | Dubai |
| UNILAEADTRY | Treasury Operations Department | Dubai | Dubai |
| UNILAEADCPU | Central Processing Unit | Dubai | Dubai |
Understanding the UBL SWIFT Code
A SWIFT code consists of 8 or 11 characters:
Bank Code
Country
Location
Branch
UBL Department Codes
XXX
Head Office (default – routes to all 7 UAE branches)TFC
Trade Finance CentreTRY
Treasury Operations DepartmentCPU
Central Processing Unit
How to Send Money to UBL
To make an international wire transfer to United Bank Ltd. 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 department (use UNILAEAD for general transfers) - Beneficiary’s IBAN
23-character account number starting with AE (e.g., AE07 0290 0001 2345 6789 012) - Beneficiary’s Full Name
Exactly as registered with the bank – no initials or abbreviations - Bank Address
The address of the receiving branch (see branch list on the UBL UAE review page) or the head office address: Manazil Al Rafaa Building, Khalid Bin Waleed Street, 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 – UBL SWIFT Codes
What is the main SWIFT code for United Bank Ltd. in the UAE?
The primary SWIFT code for United Bank Ltd. (UBL) in the UAE is UNILAEAD (or UNILAEADXXX). This single code routes payments to all 7 UBL UAE branches and is valid for most international transfers.
Can I use UNILAEAD instead of UNILAEADXXX?
Yes. Both formats are valid. The 8-character version (UNILAEAD) 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 UNILAEADXXX.
Is the SWIFT code the same for all UBL branches in the UAE?
Yes. The base code UNILAEAD is the official SWIFT code listed for all 7 UBL branches in the UAE branch locator (Business Bay, Deira, Bur Dubai, Gold and Diamond Park, Sharjah, Muroor and Musaffah). The three additional codes (TFC, TRY, CPU) are for specific head-office departments, not individual branches.
How many SWIFT codes does UBL have in the UAE?
UBL has 4 SWIFT codes in the UAE: the primary head-office code UNILAEAD (UNILAEADXXX), plus three departmental codes – UNILAEADTFC (Trade Finance Centre), UNILAEADTRY (Treasury Operations Department), and UNILAEADCPU (Central Processing Unit). Unlike larger UAE banks, UBL does not assign separate SWIFT codes to individual branches.
What is the SWIFT code for UBL Trade Finance?
The SWIFT code for UBL Trade Finance Centre in the UAE is UNILAEADTFC. Use this code for Letters of Credit, documentary collections and trade-related transactions to ensure faster processing by the specialized department.
What happens if I use the wrong UBL department code?
The transaction will not fail. UBL’s central clearing system receives all SWIFT messages regardless of department suffix and internally re-routes funds to the correct department or account. This may result in additional internal routing time. No additional fees are typically charged by UBL for internal re-routing, though correspondent banks may apply their own repair charges in rare cases.
How many branches does UBL have in the UAE?
UBL operates 7 branches in the UAE: four in Dubai (Business Bay, Deira, Bur Dubai, Gold and Diamond Park), one in Sharjah (King Faisal Street), and two in Abu Dhabi (Muroor Road and Musaffah Industrial Road). There are no branches in Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah or Umm Al Quwain.
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, PKR and all other currencies UBL handles. Currency identification occurs through separate fields in the SWIFT message format (specifically the MT103 currency code field).
What is UBL’s official SWIFT code according to the bank?
According to United Bank Ltd.’s official UAE branch locator page (ubldigital.com), the official SWIFT code is UNILAEAD. This code is listed for all 7 UAE branches and is used for all international fund transfers to UBL accounts in the UAE.
Does UBL offer remittance services from the UAE to Pakistan?
Yes. UBL specializes in Pakistan-corridor remittances via the Tezraftaar service, available through the UBL Digital UAE app, branch counters, and partner exchange houses. Transfers between UBL accounts (UAE to Pakistan) are processed through SWIFT using the code UNILAEAD, with same-day or next-day delivery to UBL accounts in Pakistan.
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 United Bank Ltd. UAE website (ubldigital.com) or contacting the bank directly at 600-533335 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.
