Many Nigerian banks refer to session ID with different names. Some banks call it transfer ID, some call it transaction ID, some call it transaction number and while some also call it transaction reference.
However, it's important to note that all these names mean Session ID in a Nigeria bank. More so, while session ID refers to those names, it's different completely from Reference ID or Referral ID.
A reference/referral ID is a unique identifier of the person that introduced you to a bank. If you go to bank by yourself to open an account, the account manager that attend to you will attach his/her reference/referral ID to your account.
Which means, the person will remain your account manager until you request to change it. This person unique identification code within the banking system is known as Reference ID, otherwise known as Referral ID.
What is Session ID in Bank?
A session ID in a bank account is a unique identification codes that's attached or linked to any initiated transaction/transfer in the banking system.
The session IDs are usually range from 30 digits to 36 digital depending on financial institutions banking system. The Session ID consist of alphabets, numbers and special cases.
In some banks, it may consist of only number. While in some banks, it'll consist of both numbers and alphabets.
However, it's important to note that Session ID is always attached to every transactions initiated in a bank; it doesn't matter if the transaction is successful or unsuccessful. So far the transfer is initiated, it must possess a unique identifier - Session ID.
How does Session ID works in Bank?
In Banks, session ID is used to trace and track stuck transactions. For instance, if you carryout inter-bank transfers to another bank and the transfer has complications like money debited recipient didn't get credited, or transaction declined and money's debited, your bank can use the transaction's session ID to trace the money and reverse it to your bank account or credit it to the recipient account.
This process usually takes seven working days if you fill a dispense error form in bank when something like this happens.
In most cases, a session ID is requested when you provide with transaction receipt and account statement that your sender have successfully send the funds and the funds have been transferred from your sender's bank to your bank but the funds doesn't reflect in your account, then you bank will demand for the session ID of the receipt to trace and track it entry-level in their backend.
The session ID is helpful in this situation to target the transaction in the banking system and drop the funds in expected Account. Mostly, these errors occur when there are glitches in banking system.
On a norm, a successful initiated transfer is expected to arrive latest within 24 hours. But in a situation whereby the funds are not credited within that period of time, that means something is happening. In this type of situation, a session ID is put to use to find the transaction within the banking system.
How to get Session ID
Session IDs are usually linked with every transaction receipts which you can find with in your mobile banking app.
Hence, you can simply login to your bank app and navigate to your Transaction History page and find and search for the transaction in question to get it session ID.
You can also get your transaction's session ID through your bank's e-banking portal. All you have to do is login to the portal with your unique account ID and password and navigate to Transactions History, then find the particular transaction in question to get the Session ID.
Another way to get a Session ID is via your bank statement. You can simply request or download your account statement and the transaction's session ID will listed in front of each transaction in rows.
In a nutshell, session ID is attached to every transactions initiated in bank. You can get session ID in the transaction receipt initiated; either successful or unsuccessful.
Session ID Examples
UBA Session ID
In the United Bank for Africa (UBA) banking system, session ID is usually refers to as "Transfer ID" and it's usually 10- digit numbers. See Example in the image below:
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| UBA Session ID Example |
Kuda Bank Session ID
In Kuda Bank, session ID is usually called "Transaction Reference" and it's usually 32-digit numbers that starts with 00.... See Example in the image below:
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| Kuda Bank Session ID Example |
OPay Session ID
In OPay App, session ID is usually called "Transaction Number", it's usually 30-digit numbers. See Example in the image below:
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| OPay Session ID Example |
PalmPay Session ID
In PalmPay, a session ID is also called "Session ID" in the fintech app. It's usually 30-digit numbers. See Example in the image below:
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| PalmPay Session ID Example |
The bottom line
A session ID in Bank is a 30-digit unique identifier that's being used by any financial institutions in Nigeria to trace and track initiated transaction within the banking system.
Your transaction's session ID is usually available within the transaction receipt which is available in your bank mobile banking app or accessible via your internet banking portal.