Nigerian banks and discount houses borrowed N3 trillion from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through the Standing Lending Facility within a week, according to a report by Afrinvest Research. The lenders and discount houses, however, deposited N493.6 billion through the Standing Deposit Facility within the same period. According to the report, the spike in borrowing resulted in a 4.7 …

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said the commission will soon begin the prosecution of some banks’ top officials for circumventing the rules of financial operation while aiding politically exposed persons to commit financial frauds, including money laundering. EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede said the antigraft agency is committed to working with the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria …

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, yesterday disclosed that foreign investors are already moving funds into the country to invest in Nigerian banks under the ongoing recapitalisation exercise. Cardoso who stated this at the Afrinvest 2024 Banking Sector Report Launch in Abuja, yesterday, said that his team was vigilant and would not allow illicit …

The National Assembly on Wednesday passed for second reading an Executive Bill seeking to tax the windfall made by banks from foreign exchange business. The bill is an amendment to the Finance Act of 2023. The one-time tax will be used to finance capital infrastructure development, education, healthcare and other welfare initiatives, according to the Federal Government. Another Executive Bill …

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed deposit money banks in the country to start charging a 0.5 per cent cybersecurity levy on transactions. This was contained in a circular dated 6 May 2024 by the apex bank to all commercial, merchant, non-interest and payment service banks as well as mobile money operators and payment service providers. “Following the …

Barely 48 hours after restating the need to increase the capital base of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) for improved productivity, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced new guidelines on its recapitalisation policy for banks in the country. The new guidelines were disclosed in a statement by its Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Sidi Ali, in Abuja on Thursday. She …

No fewer than 17 out of the existing 24 Deposit Money Banks may be unable to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) capital requirement if it is increased from its current N25 billion, according to a report by Ernst and Young. The new report, titled “Navigating the Horizon: Charting the Course for Banks amid Plans for Recapitalisation”, noted that …

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has counselled financial institutions and business owners over the growing sophistication of cyber threats and consequent attacks on their databases and businesses. The IGP spoke over the weekend at the Moniepoint Staff Retreat in Abuja, urging those in the financial sector and business owners to take proactive steps towards the protection of their …

The Ekiti State Government, on Wednesday, sealed the premises of four second-generation banks in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, over violation of Environmental Impact Assessment Laws. The state Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) in the state’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources also sealed some business premises for non-payment of the necessary dues for EIA and audit. The Commissioner for Environment, …

Telecom companies in Nigeria have decried the N200 billion debt owed by the banks for the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) provided by telecom operators. According to them, the debt, coupled with the 52 taxes, could cripple their operation in the country if the federal government does not intervene. The companies under the aegis of the Association of Licenced Telecom …