Bank Merged? Why Your Old IFSC Code Stopped Working
Last updated: 7 November 2026
Between 2019 and 2020, the Government of India merged ten public sector banks into four. If you're still holding an old chequebook, an old saved beneficiary, or a code you wrote down years ago, it may no longer work — not because of a mistake, but because the bank it belonged to was absorbed into another one. This guide explains which bank merged into which, when old codes stopped working, and how to find the correct current code for your branch.
Which banks merged into which
| Bank(s) absorbed | Merged into | Effective from |
|---|---|---|
| Dena Bank, Vijaya Bank | Bank of Baroda | 1 April 2019 |
| Oriental Bank of Commerce, United Bank of India | Punjab National Bank | 1 April 2020 |
| Syndicate Bank | Canara Bank | 1 April 2020 |
| Andhra Bank, Corporation Bank | Union Bank of India | 1 April 2020 |
| Allahabad Bank | Indian Bank | 1 April 2020 |
| 5 State Bank associate banks, Bharatiya Mahila Bank | State Bank of India | 1 April 2017 |
If your bank isn't in this list, it hasn't been part of one of these mergers, and your IFSC code is unaffected by any of this.
Why the IFSC code changes, not just the bank name
An IFSC code identifies a specific branch, and each bank's branches are numbered independently — see our guide on what an IFSC code is for how the 11 characters are built. When a branch moves from one bank to another, it is given a new code starting with the acquiring bank's own 4-letter prefix (for example, codes starting SYNB became codes starting CNRB after Syndicate Bank merged into Canara Bank). The branch itself didn't move or close — only its code and paperwork changed.
When did the old codes actually stop working?
The merger date and the date old codes stopped working are not the same — banks typically ran a transition period so customers had time to update their records. For the 2020 wave, old codes were phased out gradually over the following year rather than all at once; Syndicate Bank's SYNB codes, for example, were disabled from 1 July 2021, over a year after the merger itself. If an old code has suddenly stopped working, this kind of delayed cutover is the most likely explanation.
How to find your branch's current, correct code
We deliberately don't publish a table mapping old codes to new ones here. Banks didn't apply a single uniform formula across every branch when reassigning codes, so any such table risks being wrong for at least some branches — and getting even one digit wrong can misdirect a payment, as our guide on sending money to the wrong IFSC code explains. Instead, use one of these reliable ways to get the current code:
- Search by your bank and branch name in our Find IFSC Code tool. Our database reflects only current, active codes, so if you can find your branch there, that's your correct code today.
- Check your current chequebook or passbook. If you've received a reissued chequebook since the merger, it will show the new code.
- Use the acquiring bank's own lookup tool. Several of the merged banks, including Canara Bank, published a "Know Your New IFSC" tool where you enter your old code and it returns the current one.
- Ask your branch or the bank's customer care. They can confirm your branch's current code directly.
Once you have the current code, you can verify it to confirm it's valid before you share it or use it for a transfer.
What to do if a saved beneficiary stops working
- Find the current IFSC code for that branch using one of the methods above.
- Delete the old beneficiary in your banking app and add it again with the new code — most banks don't let you edit a saved beneficiary's IFSC code directly.
- Send a small test amount before relying on it for a large payment, especially if you haven't used that beneficiary in a while.
Common questions
Did my account number change too?
Usually not — account numbers were generally kept the same or clearly mapped, while it's the branch's IFSC code (and sometimes MICR code) that changed. Confirm your own account number from your current passbook or app if you're ever unsure.
Is a "Merger 2.0" of more banks being planned?
As of the most recent public statements, the government has said no further merger of this kind is currently under active consideration. If that changes, we'll update this guide.
My bank isn't in the table above — could it still be affected?
Only the banks and dates listed above were part of this consolidation. If your bank merged for a different reason (for example, a private or cooperative bank being taken over), the same principle still applies: search by branch name in our Find IFSC Code tool to get the current code.
Find your branch's current code
Search by bank and branch name to get the correct, current IFSC code — no need to work out an old-to-new mapping yourself.
Find IFSC Code Verify IFSC Code
More guides
- Sent Money to a Wrong IFSC Code? What to Do
- How to Reactivate a Blocked Net Banking Account (SBI, HDFC, ICICI)
- NEFT/RTGS/IMPS Failed But Money Was Debited: What to Do
- How to Change Your Registered Mobile Number in Your Bank Account
- ATM Did Not Dispense Cash But Debited Your Account: What to Do
This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice. Limits, timings and charges are set by the Reserve Bank of India, NPCI and individual banks, and can change, so confirm current details with your bank.