I and M Bank LTD SWIFT/BIC code

What IMBLKENA means for a payment to I and M Bank LTD

IMBLKENA and IMBLKENAXXX are the short and the long form of the same bank identifier, and both point to I and M Bank LTD in Nairobi. A SWIFT code tells the sending bank exactly which bank is meant to get the money, much like a postcode for banks. In daily life you mostly come across the code on international invoices, in payment forms and on the account details of I and M Bank LTD customers.

On this page you can read how the code means, when you need it and which other details you need for a transfer to or from I and M Bank LTD. The BIC identifies an institution, not a single account; the IBAN or account number does that.

What the XXX in IMBLKENAXXX means

A BIC is made up of fixed blocks: the first four letters stand for the bank, characters five and six give the country and characters seven and eight indicate the location. That gives you IMBLKENA for I and M Bank LTD.

The 11-character version adds a three-character extension that identify a branch or department. If the last three are XXX, the code points to the head office.

Enter the code in one piece, in capitals and without separators. Look out for the letter O and the digit 0 or I versus 1, a common source of typos.

Paying someone abroad from your I and M Bank LTD account

A bank transfer abroad costs more than the fee suggests. You pay the transfer fee, sometimes fees charged by intermediary banks along the way and, most importantly, the exchange rate markup.

Most of the cost usually sits in the exchange rate, not in the fee: many banks convert using an exchange rate that includes a margin. Compare their rate with the mid-market rate – the rate you find on financial news sites; the gap is what conversion costs you.

For many currency pairs, a specialist provider turns out to be less expensive than a traditional bank transfer – mostly thanks to the rate. GoldexPay compares the amount that arrives with different providers, which makes the cheapest option easy to spot. Using a transfer service does not mean closing your account at I and M Bank LTD.

Choosing between the 4 SWIFT codes of I and M Bank LTD

Having 4 codes in 1 cities, I and M Bank LTD is one of the banks that use separate codes for branches. The main code is IMBLKENAXXX.

In most cases you do not need to look up a branch: payments sent to IMBLKENAXXX reach I and M Bank LTD correctly. Only use a branch code when the account holder gives you that exact code, for example on an invoice or in their bank details.

If you are not sure, ask the person you are paying which code their bank gave them. Codes can change over time, so a code from an old document is not always valid.

A note on our data

Our SWIFT/BIC directory is based on publicly available sources. Still, banks merge, rename themselves or change codes and our data may lag behind. Counts and locations are from our directory and are not confirmed by I and M Bank LTD.

Treat our directory here as a handy check, and let the details from the recipient or I and M Bank LTD have the final say. GoldexPay is a comparison site for money transfers and not part of I and M Bank LTD. Spotted outdated information? Let us know through the contact page so we can correct it.

Getting paid from abroad into a I and M Bank LTD account

If you are waiting for money from abroad, send the payer a complete set of details. Give them your name as the bank knows it, your account number or IBAN, the BIC IMBLKENAXXX and your address.

You can include the bank name and Nairobi too, since some forms ask for it. Double-check each detail before you send them.

The amount you receive can be less than what was sent. Charges on incoming payments vary per bank. Agree with the sender who covers the fees, especially for larger amounts.

Verifying the SWIFT code of I and M Bank LTD

Ask the recipient to copy the account details straight from a recent statement. If the code you have differs from IMBLKENA or IMBLKENAXXX, do not guess: check with the recipient or with I and M Bank LTD directly.

Errors in the BIC are annoying more than disastrous – usually the money comes back, minus fees and time lost. Do not forget the IBAN: an error there is more difficult to correct than a wrong BIC.

Most online banking apps validate the structure of IBANs – that confirms the format, not the owner. If your bank offers it, a name check before sending adds an extra layer of safety. When you pay someone new, many people start with a small amount first and wait for confirmation.

Tracking a transfer to or from I and M Bank LTD

A SWIFT payment usually takes one to a few business days – it depends on currency, route and the banks in between. Transfers sent late in the day or just before a weekend or public holiday usually go out the next business day. Sometimes a bank wants to know about the purpose of a payment.

If the money is delayed, contact the sending bank about the status and the transaction reference. Keep the payment confirmation until the money has arrived – you will need it for any trace request.

Only the sending bank can start an official trace or a recall. Ask the sender for a copy of the payment confirmation with the date and reference.

Changed bank details? Be careful

Be wary when a contact unexpectedly wants you to send money to another account or a bank in another country. That IMBLKENA is a real code is no guarantee that the account is legitimate.

Before paying, verify changed bank details through a phone call on a number you know, not one from the message. Watch out for time pressure, odd spelling or a sender address that is slightly off. Already paid? Contact the bank you paid from without delay and have them start a recall and report the fraud.

Recipients can be targeted as well: a classic trick is an overpayment followed by a request to refund the difference to another account. A screenshot of a transfer proves nothing – check your own account.