Mercantile Bank Routing Numbers: All Branch Codes Bangladesh
What Is a Mercantile Bank Routing Number?
A Mercantile Bank Limited routing number is a 9-digit code that identifies the exact branch where a Mercantile Bank account is held within Bangladesh's payment network. Every domestic transfer processed through BEFTN, NPSB, or RTGS uses this code to route funds to the correct Mercantile Bank branch automatically.
The 9 digits encode 3 distinct pieces of information:
- Bank code (first 3 digits): Always 140 for every Mercantile Bank Limited branch in Bangladesh
- District code (next 2 digits): Identifies the district where the branch operates, such as 26 or 27 for Dhaka or 15 for Chittagong
- Branch code (final 4 digits): Identifies the specific branch within that district
Mercantile Bank designates certain branches as SME branches, which carry their own unique routing numbers distinct from full-service branches in the same district.
How to Use Your Mercantile Bank Routing Number
How a Mercantile Bank Limited routing number is used depends on 3 transfer types, each with different requirements.
BEFTN and NPSB (local transfers)
To send via BEFTN or NPSB, log into your bank's internet banking, select Fund Transfer, choose Other Bank, and enter 2 pieces of information:
- The recipient's 9-digit Mercantile Bank Limited routing number
- The recipient's Mercantile Bank account number
No SWIFT code is needed for either system. NPSB settles near-instantly within Bangladesh Bank processing hours. BEFTN settles on the next business day.
RTGS (high-value local transfers)
RTGS requires the routing number plus the recipient branch's SWIFT code. Mercantile Bank Limited's base SWIFT code is MBLBBDDH, with a branch-specific suffix. Confirm the full suffix directly with the recipient branch before sending. RTGS payments are irrevocable once processed. Bangladesh Bank regulations place full liability for instruction errors on the sender, with no reversal mechanism available regardless of the error amount.
Receiving money from abroad with a Mercantile Bank account
To receive an international wire transfer into a Mercantile Bank account, provide the sender with 4 pieces of information:
- Bank name: Mercantile Bank Limited
- SWIFT/BIC code: MBLBBDDH (plus branch suffix, confirm with your branch)
- Your 9-digit branch routing number
- Your full account number and registered account name
Mercantile Bank converts incoming foreign currency to BDT at the rate applied at the moment the funds clear.
How to Verify Your Mercantile Bank Routing Number Before Sending
4 methods confirm a Mercantile Bank Limited routing number before any transfer:
- Cheque leaf: the 9-digit routing number is printed along the bottom of every Mercantile Bank cheque, directly below the account number
- Mercantile Bank internet banking: log into internet banking, navigate to Account Details, and the routing number appears alongside your branch name
- Branch phone call: Call your specific Mercantile Bank branch directly and ask: "What is the routing number for this branch?"
- Bangladesh Bank official directory: Bangladesh Bank publishes a complete routing number registry at bangladeshbank.org.bd, updated when new branches are added
Cross-referencing at least 2 sources before an RTGS transfer eliminates the liability risk from instruction errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the routing number on my Mercantile Bank cheque?
Yes. Every Mercantile Bank Limited cheque has the 9-digit routing number printed along the bottom-left of the cheque leaf. It appears as a string of digits beginning with 140. The routing number sits to the left of the account number and the cheque serial number on the MICR line at the bottom of every cheque page.
How do I find my Mercantile Bank routing number without a cheque?
3 methods work without a cheque. Log into Mercantile Bank internet banking and navigate to Account Details where the routing number appears next to your branch name. Alternatively, call your specific Mercantile Bank branch directly and ask for the branch routing number. The third option is to look up your branch in the Bangladesh Bank official routing directory at bangladeshbank.org.bd.
Does every Mercantile Bank branch have a different routing number?
Yes. Every Mercantile Bank Limited branch carries its own unique 9-digit routing number. 2 branches in the same district share the same bank code (140) and the same district code, but differ in their final 4 digits. Using a Gulshan branch routing number to send funds to a Motijheel branch account will route the transfer to the wrong branch. Confirm the specific branch routing number before every transfer.
What is Mercantile Bank's SWIFT code?
Mercantile Bank Limited's base SWIFT code is MBLBBDDH. Each branch carries an additional 3-character suffix that identifies the specific branch within the SWIFT network. The full branch SWIFT code is required for RTGS transfers and inward international wires. Confirm the full suffix for your specific branch by calling the branch directly or checking Mercantile Bank Limited's official website.
Can I use a Mercantile Bank routing number to receive money from abroad?
A Mercantile Bank Limited routing number alone is not sufficient for receiving international transfers. International senders wire through the SWIFT network using Mercantile Bank Limited's SWIFT code (MBLBBDDH plus branch suffix) and your account number. The routing number identifies your branch within Bangladesh's domestic payment rails, not within the international SWIFT network. Provide senders with your full account number, branch name, and SWIFT code for international transfers.
What is the difference between a routing number and an account number?
A Mercantile Bank Limited routing number identifies the branch. A Mercantile Bank account number identifies the individual account within that branch. Both are required for domestic transfers. 2 accounts at the same Mercantile Bank branch share the same routing number but have different account numbers. An account number without a routing number tells the payment system which account to credit but not which branch to route funds through.
What happens if I send money to the wrong Mercantile Bank routing number?
Funds sent to the wrong routing number route to the wrong branch. For BEFTN and NPSB transfers, the receiving branch may reject the transaction if the account number does not exist within that branch, in which case funds return to the sender within the settlement period. For RTGS transfers, the outcome is more serious. RTGS payments are irrevocable once processed. Bangladesh Bank regulations place full liability for instruction errors on the sender. The customer, not the bank, bears responsibility for verifying routing numbers before submitting any RTGS instruction.
nsave is not a bank. Accounts held with nsave are not protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Customer funds are held in regulated UK and EEA financial institutions, separated from company funds, and protected through safeguarding rules designed for electronic money services.
The information in this article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice from nsave or any of its affiliates. It is not a substitute for advice from a qualified financial adviser. We make no representations or warranties, whether expressed or implied, that the content is accurate, complete, or up to date.
Fees, exchange rates, incentives, and product availability may change and can vary by user and jurisdiction. Examples are illustrative only. Before making any financial decisions, seek advice from a qualified financial adviser who can assess your individual circumstances and objectives.
nsave helps freelancers and professionals from Bangladesh, Nigeria, Pakistan, Egypt, and other emerging markets receive and manage USD abroad. As a non-bank payment provider, your money is not protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Customer funds are held in regulated, UK and EEA financial institutions, separated from company funds, and protected through safeguarding rules designed for electronic money services.
