Al Hilal Bank’s SWIFT code is HLALAEAA (11 characters: HLALAEAAXXX), and it’s still the code for incoming transfers to Al Hilal Bank accounts. The bank wasn’t folded into ADCB. Since the 2019 merger that created the ADCB Group, Al Hilal Bank has kept its own identity and operates as a separate Islamic bank within the group, now serving retail customers through digital channels.
That’s the source of most confusion. Union National Bank’s accounts were moved to ADCB with new numbers in April 2020, and UNB’s code stopped being used. Al Hilal’s retail accounts weren’t.
Al Hilal Bank transfer details
| Field on the sender’s form | What to enter |
|---|---|
| SWIFT / BIC | HLALAEAA, or HLALAEAAXXX for 11 characters |
| Bank name | Al Hilal Bank PJSC |
| City | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
| Beneficiary account | Your 23-character IBAN, starting AE |
| IBAN bank code | 053 (characters 5 to 7) |
| Sample IBAN layout | AE89 0531 2345 6789 0123 456 (illustrative only) |
| Beneficiary name | Your name exactly as Al Hilal Bank holds it |
What changed after the ADCB merger
| Date | Change | Effect on your details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 May 2019 | ADCB, UNB and Al Hilal Bank combine into the ADCB Group | Al Hilal Bank stays a separate Islamic bank under its own brand |
| Q2 to Q3 2019 | Al Hilal’s wholesale and SME customers move to ADCB’s Islamic wholesale platform | Business and SME clients now bank with ADCB, on ADCB’s details |
| 2 April 2020 | Group systems unified, UNB customers move to ADCB | No change for Al Hilal retail accounts |
| Later | Al Hilal Bank goes fully digital and closes several branches | Accounts unaffected, moved to other branches |
The practical split: if you hold an Al Hilal retail account, HLALAEAA and your 053 IBAN are correct. If your business or SME account was migrated in 2019, use the details ADCB issued you, not HLALAEAA.
Branch closures don’t change the code
Al Hilal Bank closed branches including Al Twar, Al Seef Mall, Mushrif Mall, Al Barsha Mall and Fujairah as it moved to digital banking. Accounts from each closed Al Hilal branch moved to another branch: Al Twar and Al Barsha Mall to Nad Al Hamar, Al Seef Mall and Mushrif Mall to Corniche Abu Dhabi, and Fujairah to Ras Al Khaimah.
None of this touches the SWIFT code, which is bank-wide, or your IBAN. A payer who has your old details on file doesn’t need new ones.
Checking an IBAN is Al Hilal’s
A UAE IBAN is 23 characters. For Al Hilal Bank:
- characters 1 and 2: AE
- characters 3 and 4: check digits
- characters 5 to 7: 053
- characters 8 to 23: your account number
If those three digits aren’t 053, the IBAN belongs to another bank, and a payment sent with HLALAEAA will fail. A 003 IBAN, for example, is ADCB’s and needs ADCB’s code.
When a transfer hasn’t arrived
- Ask the sender for the MT103 SWIFT copy or payment confirmation from their bank.
- Check the receiving bank reads HLALAEAA and the IBAN has 053 in characters 5 to 7.
- Allow 4 working days for an international transfer, counting working days in both countries.
- Call Al Hilal Bank on 600 522 229, or +971 600 522 229 from outside the UAE, with the confirmation.
FAQ
Is Al Hilal Bank still operating?
Yes. Al Hilal Bank operates as a separate Islamic retail bank within the ADCB Group, mainly through its mobile app and digital channels.
Is HLALAEAA still valid?
Yes. HLALAEAA is the active SWIFT code for Al Hilal Bank PJSC in Abu Dhabi, with HLALAEAAXXX as the 11-character form.
What happened to Al Hilal Bank business accounts?
Al Hilal’s wholesale and SME customers were migrated to ADCB’s Islamic wholesale platform in 2019, so those accounts now use ADCB’s details.
Did my account change when my Al Hilal branch closed?
No. Accounts from closed branches were transferred to other Al Hilal branches, and the SWIFT code and your IBAN stay the same.
Before you share your Al Hilal details
- Confirm your IBAN starts AE and has 053 in characters 5 to 7.
- Send HLALAEAA, Al Hilal Bank PJSC and your IBAN together.
- Former SME clients: use your ADCB details instead.
ADCB’s own code is on the ADCB SWIFT code page, and every other bank’s is on the UAE bank SWIFT codes list.
