POSB Bank Branch Code 081: What It Is and How to Find Yours

If you’ve ever sent money to a POSB account or tried to set up a local transfer, you’ve probably run into the term “branch code.” What makes POSB different from most banks is that every single account shares the same one: 081, no matter which branch you opened it at — a detail that affects how millions of Singaporeans send and receive money every day.

POSB bank code: 7171 ·
POSB standard branch code: 081 ·
DBS/POSB SWIFT code: DBSSSGSG ·
DBS branch code format: First 3 digits of account number

Here is a quick summary of the key identifiers for POSB.

What is a POSB branch code?

A POSB branch code is a 3-digit identifier used within Singapore’s banking system to route domestic transfers to the correct bank and branch. Unlike most banks where each branch has its own code, POSB assigns a single standard branch code — 081 — to all its accounts. That means whether you opened your account at a Tampines branch or a Toa Payoh one, the code is the same.

POSB branch code vs bank code

• Bank code (7171): Uniquely identifies POSB as the financial institution. You need this for local Interbank GIRO (IBG) transfers and salary crediting. Official source: POSB Singapore – Bank & Branch Codes
• Branch code (081): Identifies the specific branch or, in POSB’s case, the entire bank as a single branch. It is part of the local transfer reference. Same source confirms both codes.
• SWIFT code (DBSSSGSG): Used for international transfers, not interchangeable with either of the above. Source: POSB Singapore – Swift Code Details

Standard branch code for all POSB accounts

The OCBC ACH Bank and Branch Code Guide explicitly lists POSB as using bank code 7171 and branch code 081 for its 9-digit account numbers. DBS accounts, by contrast, use the first three digits of the account number as the branch code. This consistent treatment of POSB means you never have to look up a different code when sending money to a POSB account. Source: OCBC – ACH Bank and Branch Code Guide

Bottom line: POSB’s branch code 081 is a simplification that benefits both customers and senders. For local bank users: no need to remember a variable code. For businesses processing payroll: a single entry for all POSB accounts.

How to find branch code for POSB?

Because all POSB accounts share branch code 081, the “finding” step is almost always unnecessary. But if you need to confirm or retrieve the code for a specific account, here are the reliable methods.

Check on POSB mobile app or internet banking

1. Log in to the POSB mobile app or digibank online.
2. Navigate to account details. The bank code and branch code are displayed under “Bank & Branch Codes.” All POSB accounts will show branch code 081.
3. For DBS accounts, the first three digits of the account number serve as the branch code — that is also visible in the account summary.

Find branch code on bank statement

• Every POSB statement (e-statement or paper) lists the bank code 7171 and branch code 081 in the header or footer. Source: POSB Bank & Branch Codes
• If you have a DBS account, the branch code is the first three digits of your account number, also printed on statements.

Use account number structure for DBS accounts

DBS accounts follow a 10-digit format: XXX-XXXXXX-X. The first three digits are the branch code. For example, account 123-456789-0 means branch code 123. This varies per account opening branch. POSB accounts use a 9-digit number and do not embed a branch code — the code is always 081. Source: DBS Singapore – Bank, Branch & Transaction Codes

Bottom line: For POSB users, the branch code is always 081 and never hidden. For DBS users, you must extract the first three digits of your account number. That difference is the core distinction between the two systems.

Is POSB a branch of DBS?

POSB (Post Office Savings Bank) is not a branch of DBS in the physical sense — it operates its own branches, ATMs, and brand. Legally, it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DBS Bank. The two banks maintain separate balance sheets and are reported separately, but they share the same infrastructure for payments, which is why they share the same SWIFT code.

History of POSB and DBS merger

POSB was established in 1877 as the Post Office Savings Bank. DBS acquired POSB in 1998 from the Singapore government. Since then, POSB has continued to operate under its own name, and its branch-code system was retained — an unusual move that preserved the simplicity of a single code for millions of account holders. Source: POSB Singapore – Bank & Branch Codes (historical context)

Current relationship: wholly-owned subsidiary

DBS publishes consolidated financial statements that include POSB, but the subsidiary brand retains its own banking license and regulatory status. For customers, this means you can use DBS ATMs with a POSB card and vice versa, and all local payments route through the same clearing system.

“DBS/POSB’s Bank code is 7171. All POSB accounts have a standard branch code of 081 while DBS accounts’ branch code is the first 3 digits of the account number.”

— POSB official support page, Bank & Branch Codes

Bottom line: While POSB and DBS are the same banking group, their branch-code systems remain separate. That means a DBS customer entering POSB branch code 081 will successfully deposit funds into a POSB account, but the reverse mapping does not exist.

Do DBS and POSB have the same SWIFT code?

Yes. Both DBS and POSB share the main SWIFT code DBSSSGSG. When you send an international wire to a POSB account, you use the same SWIFT code as you would for a DBS account. The beneficiary bank name should be “DBS Bank Ltd” or “POSB Bank Ltd” depending on the account type, but the SWIFT address is identical. Source: POSB Singapore – Swift Code Details

SWIFT code DBSSSGSG applies to both

According to the official DBS/POSB page, “DBS/POSB’s SWIFT code is DBSSSGSG.” This is listed alongside instructions that senders must include the beneficiary’s name, account number, and the bank’s address: 12 Marina Boulevard, DBS Asia Central, Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3, Singapore 018982. Source: Same page

When to use different SWIFT codes for branches

For most international transfers, DBSSSGSG is sufficient. However, very large value payments or transfers to specific departments may require a branch-specific SWIFT code. DBS/POSB does not publicize these widely, but it is known that individual branches can have their own SWIFT address (e.g., DBSSSGSGXXX where XXX is the branch code). For typical consumer transfers, the main code works. Source: XE.com – POSB Singapore SWIFT code (tier2, verified against DBS site)

“The main SWIFT code for POSB in Singapore is DBSSSGSGXXX.”

— XE.com, POSB SWIFT code page

Bottom line: For 99% of international wire transfers to a POSB account, DBSSSGSG is correct. Only senders instructed to use a branch-specific code should deviate. DBS/POSB also explicitly states it does not use IBAN, routing numbers, or sort codes.

Is the POSB branch code the same as the SWIFT code?

No. They are different codes for different purposes. Mixing them up is a common mistake that can delay payments.

Differences between branch code and SWIFT code

Branch code 081 is a domestic identifier used within Singapore’s local interbank transfer system (e.g., FAST, GIRO). SWIFT code DBSSSGSG is an international identifier used when money crosses borders. You cannot use a SWIFT code for a local transfer, nor a branch code for an international wire. Source: POSB branch code page and SWIFT code page

When each code is used

Each code operates in a separate domain, as shown below.

The pattern is clear: each code operates in a separate domain. Using a SWIFT code for a local transfer will result in a rejected transaction, and vice versa.

Comparison table: POSB vs DBS branch codes

Three key differences define how the two brands handle branch codes, and each difference has a practical impact on how you send money.

Bottom line: POSB’s fixed branch code simplifies transfers for its customers, while DBS’s variable system requires an extra lookup step. For businesses processing payrolls that include both POSB and DBS accounts, this distinction means two separate reference formats. If you’re planning to register a company in Singapore, understanding these codes helps set up payroll correctly.

Steps to use POSB branch code for local transfers

Follow these steps whether you’re sending money from another Singapore bank or receiving from a local account.

1. Obtain the recipient’s POSB account number (9 digits).
2. Enter bank code 7171 as the financial institution identifier.
3. Enter branch code 081 as the branch identification.
4. Provide the full 9-digit account number. Do not include hyphens.
5. For FAST transfers, the combination 7171-081-{account number} completes the clearing reference.

If you are the recipient, you only need to give your name, account number, and the phrase “POSB Bank Ltd” as your bank. The sender should use bank code 7171 and branch code 081. Source: DBS Bank Branch Codes

Clarity section: confirmed vs unclear

Confirmed facts

• POSB bank code: 7171 (POSB – Bank & Branch Codes)
• All POSB accounts use branch code 081 (same source)
• DBS branch code is the first 3 digits of the account number (same source)
• POSB is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DBS (POSB Swift code page)
• DBS/POSB share SWIFT code DBSSSGSG (same page)
• DBS/POSB has no IBAN, routing number, or sort code (same page)
• OCBC ACH guide confirms POSB bank code 7171 and branch code 081 (OCBC – ACH Guide)
• Vendors@Gov lists POSB branch code 081 in its approved bank references (Vendors@Gov)

What’s unclear

• Whether any legacy POSB accounts (from before the merger with DBS) may have a different branch code — no publicly available source confirms this.
• Exact number of active POSB accounts in Singapore.
• Whether certain POSB branches have dedicated SWIFT codes for corporate transfers — DBS/POSB does not publish branch-specific SWIFT lists.

Quotes from authoritative sources

“DBS/POSB’s Bank code is 7171. All POSB accounts have a standard branch code of 081 while DBS accounts’ branch code is the first 3 digits of the account number.”

— POSB official support page, Bank & Branch Codes

“The main SWIFT code for POSB in Singapore is DBSSSGSGXXX.”

— XE.com, POSB Swift Code page

Summary

POSB’s single branch code 081 is a legacy of its post-office origins, and it continues to simplify banking for millions of Singaporeans. While DBS uses a variable branch-code system that requires account holders to know the first three digits of their account number, POSB customers never need to look up a code. The trade-off: POSB accounts have a fixed reference, but the bank’s infrastructure is identical to DBS for international transfers. For anyone sending money to a POSB account in Singapore, the combination 7171-081 is all that’s required.

Related reading: Singapore Corporate Tax Rate: 17% Flat Rate 2025 Guide · Register Company in Singapore – 2025 Guide Costs Requirements

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