FIRST BANK is one of the most popular conventional banks in Nigeria. Like most competitors, FIRST BANK has several banking channels; customers can access their accounts via the FIRST BANK app, through the bank’s website, and using a USSD code.

The FIRST BANK transfer code, also dubbed ‘first monie’ is accessible through the *894# shortcode. It works for transfers, airtime purchases, bill payments, and flight booking—you name it.

In this post, you’ll learn how to access and activate the FIRST BANK transfer code easily. Then, we’ll show you all you can do with first monie Banking, and why it’s even worth using when several other banking channels exist.

What is the code for FIRST BANK transfer?

Like most other conventional Nigerian banks, FIRST BANK has a USSD transfer code: *894#, which enables a plethora of services for all customers. the transfer code was dubbed “first monie,” and the idea was to provide an offline yet robust banking channel for users with unstable internet connections.

The FIRST BANK transfer code has grown in leaps and bounds ever since, now allowing users to transfer money, purchase airtime, fund a FIRST BANK prepaid card, pay bills, generate OTP, and request for a bank statement, among other similar services.

What’s more, the FIRST BANK transfer code works on all major Nigerian network providers, including MTN, Glo, 9mobile, and Airtel.

While you’ll need to pay a service charge for sometransactions, it’s usually nothing out of the ordinary; what bank doesn’t charge for USSD banking?

How to activate the FIRST BANK transfer code

When you dial the FIRST BANK transfer code for the first time, you must sign up and activate the code to use it seamlessly with your account.

The activation process is relatively simple, as long as you’re the owner of the FIRST BANK account you’re trying to link.

There are two ways to activate first monie banking: your account number and prepaid card.

While the former allows you to access all the funds in your bank account through the magic banking channel, the latter is best for limiting your USSD spending to a particular card.With that said, here’s how to activate the FIRST BANK transfer code using the prepaid card option:

• Get a prepaid card from FIRST BANK.
• Dial the *894# shortcode on the phone number linked to your FIRST BANK prepaid card.
• Accept the terms and applicable charges.
• Choose any USSD banking service from the options.
• You’ll be prompted to sign up and activate your account on the next page; select the prepaid card option.
• Enter the numbers on your card as directed to link it. You may also have to enter the card’s PIN.

If you follow the above steps correctly, your prepaid card should start working with first monie banking, allowing you to complete transactions affecting the card only.

If you still want to activate your FIRST BANK transfer code, but with your account number directly instead of a card,

you can follow the guide below.

How to activate FIRST BANK USSD code without ATM card

As hinted earlier, there are two ways to activate the FIRST BANK USSD code: using your account number or using a FIRST BANK prepaid card.

As you’d expect, the latter only works if you have a FIRST BANK prepaid card, which most customers don’t have.

If you’d rather not use the prepaid card registration option, here’s how to activate your FIRST BANK transfer code using your NUBAN account number:

•  Dial *894# on the phone number connected to your FIRST BANK account. You’ll receive a

prompt notifying you of a N6.98 charge on USSD banking transactions. Accept it TO continue.

• Select any of the several FIRST BANK USSD banking services available.

• On the resulting prompt, you’ll be required to sign up to proceed with the USSD banking channel. Reply with 1 to accept and continue.

• The next page has two options: “Account with PIN” and “Prepaid with PIN.” Since you’re trying to sign up using your account number, select “Account with PIN.”

•  Enter your 10-digit FIRST BANK account number to continue.

• Enter the four-digit payment PIN linked to your FIRST BANK account to authenticate your account and proceed with the transaction.

Note that these steps only work if you dial the code on the phone number connected to your

FIRST BANK account in the first place. Also, customers can always create a new FIRST BANK account using the transfer code, so you don’t need an existing bank account to enroll.

You should also note that activating your FIRST BANK USSD code is completely free for all customers, even those without a FIRST BANK account.

After registering and activating the first monie Banking channel, however, all subsequent transactions will cost anywhere from N5 to

N1,075, depending on the service.
What can you do with the FIRST BANK transfer code?

FIRST BANK has one of the most robust USSD banking channels in the industry, as it’s one of the

only banks that allow customers to request bank statements to embassy via USSD, albeit at a steep cost.

Bank statements aside, here’s a list of other services accessible with the FIRST BANK transfer code:

● Balance check

● Money transfer (to FIRST BANK and external banks)

● Airtime purchase (to self and others)

● Bill payment

● Limit increase

● Data purchase (to self and others)

● Cardless withdrawal

● Payattitude USSD channel

● OTP generation

● Bank services

● Mini statement

● Account opening

● PIN setup

● Blocking debit card

While most of these services only cost the regular N6.89 you pay on all USSD banking transactions, some can be pretty expensive.

Cardless withdrawal, for instance, comes at a N100 charge, and requesting a bank statement to embassy costs a flat fee of N1,075, plus N21 extra charge per page.

How can I check my FIRST BANK account balance with USSD?

One of the most common use cases of the FIRST BANK transfer code is balance inquiry. It basically lets you check how much is in your FIRST BANK account by dialing a simple USSD code, almost exactly like you’re checking your phone’s airtime balance.

To check your FIRST BANK account balance with USSD, simply dial *894# and authenticate the transaction by entering your PIN.

Note that there’s a N10 charge for checking your balance

using the FIRST BANK transfer code, so you want to use this feature sparingly to save money.

More Bank Transfer Codes

Ecobank Transfer Code

Wema Bank Transfer Code

Heritage Bank Transfer Code

Unity Bank Transfer Code

Polaris Bank Transfer Code

Union Bank Transfer Code

Zenith Bank Transfer Code

Fcmb Ussd Code

Access bank Ussd Code

opay ussd code

palmpay ussd code

moniepoint ussd code

Taj bank Ussd code

Uba transfer code 

Conclusion

FIRST BANK may have its flaws, but its iconic USSD-based “first monie” is certainly not one of them. From cardless withdrawals to free mini statements and account opening, we have absolutely no complaints about the FIRST BANK transfer code.