Finance

Cashless Policy: CBN Caps Withdrawals at N20,000 a Day, N100,000 a Week

Nigerians can no longer withdraw more than N20,000 a day

Published

2 months ago

December 7, 2022

In an effort to reduce cash transactions, frustrate activities of Kidnappers and other criminals, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday directed all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and other financial Institutions (OFIs) to reduce their over the counter withdrawal to N100,000 per week for individual, while withdrawals by corporate organisations were capped at N500,000 per week.

According to the apex bank, withdrawals above these limits would attract 5% processing fees for individuals and 10% for corporate organisations.

For Automated Teller Machines (ATM), cash withdrawal was also capped at N100,000 per week with a maximum cash withdrawal of N20,000 per day. ATM operators are thereby advised to load only N200 denominations and below into their machines.

Similarly, Point of Sale (PoS) cash withdrawal was set at N20,000 a day.

However, in certain compelling circumstances, the central bank allows individuals and corporate organisations with legitimate reasons to withdraw cash of up to N15 million and N110 million, respectively.

Such transactions, however, will attract appropriate processing fees as stated above, in addition to enhanced due diligence and further information requirements as follow:

a. Valid means of identification of the payee (National ID, International Passport, Driver’s License).

b. Bank Verification Number (BVN) of the payee.

c. Notarized customer declaration of the purpose for the cash withdrawal.

d. Senior management approval for the withdrawal by the Managing Director of the drawee, where applicable.

e. Approval in writing by the MD/CEO of the bark authorising the withdrawal.

The apex bank advised financial institutions to start encouraging customers to embrace alternative channels for their financial transactions.

“Customers should be encouraged to use alternative channels (internet banking, mobile banking apps, USSD, cards/POS. eNaira, etc.) to conduct their banking transactions.

“Finally, please note that aiding and abetting the circumvention of this policy will attract severe sanctions.”

The new directive would take effect on January 9, 2023, Investors King reports.

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Samed Olukoya

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Finance

An Uptick in The FAAC Payout

Published

10 hours ago

January 28, 2023

Samed Olukoya

The latest gross monthly distribution for the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to the three tiers of government and public agencies amounted to N990bn in January (from December revenue).

This was an increase of 9.8% or N88.1bn from the previous payout (N902bn recorded in November ’22) and marks the highest FAAC payout recorded in 2022. The increase can be partly attributed to improved non-oil revenue collection. Based on data from the local media, Companies’ Income Tax (CIT), VAT, oil and gas royalties and export duties recorded increases while import duties declined significantly.

The FGN received a total of N375.3bn while state governments received N299.6bn. Furthermore, oil-producing states received an additional N93.5bn representing the 13% derivation for mineral revenue. The headline figure consisted of N707.8bn gross statutory distribution.

This is a month on month increase of 3.9%. Additionally, N233.3bn came into the VAT pool, and N24.3bn from Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL). The total deduction for cost of collection was N31.5bn.

Furthermore, the committee disclosed that the Excess Crude Account (ECA) remained unchanged from the previous month at USD473.7m. Despite elevated oil prices which were above the FGN’s 2022 oil price benchmark (USD73/barrel), the ECA has remained relatively low. In 2014, the ECA was as high as USD4.1bn.

It is worth highlighting that the NNPC made zero contributions to FAAC in 2022, largely due to high fuel subsidy costs. According to the NNPC, the total cumulative subsidy deductions stood at N2.04trn in July ’22 vs N1.5trn spent in 2021. The shortfall in oil revenue was partly offset by relatively higher non-oil revenue collection.

The net FAAC distribution to states and local governments hit the money market last week, as an inflow of N650bn was recorded, which supported market liquidity. We note that the FGN’s share of the FAAC allocation (c.N375bn) is transferred directly to the treasury single account.

To avoid overreliance on FAAC distributions and ensure more resilience against future shocks, state governments need to diversify their revenue base. Unemployment and underemployment continue to cost states billions of naira in forgone revenue through payment of income taxes (PAYE). To boost IGR, states should consider providing incentives for the private sector to support economic activities within their respective states.

Banking Sector

CBN: New National Domestic Card Will Improve E-payment, Foreign Exchange

Published

11 hours ago

January 28, 2023

Blessing Akorowosi

The newly inaugurated Nigerian National Domestic Card Scheme is aimed at enhancing electronic payment and foreign exchange, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says.

The official launch of the National Domestic Card was done virtually on Thursday, Investors King reports.

Speaking on the benefits of the new domestic card, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele said it will lessen operating costs, charges and strengthen foreign exchange in Nigeria.

Emefiele stated that the use of the new domestic card is with immediate effect and all local transactions will be done through the card.

His words, “Ladies and gentlemen, at this time when foreign exchange challenges persist globally, it is important that I say that we have come up with this card to ensure that all online transactions will now be effective and immediately begin to go on the Nigerian National Domestic Card system.

“All domestic transactions that are going to be conducted in Nigeria will have to be through the Nigerian domestic cards.”

He pointed out that the apex bank will collaborate with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc and commercial banks to ensure that only international transactions are accompanied with charges as when done with Visa card or Master Card.

The CBN governor expressed concern over the large number of payments still carried out without cards despite the fact that card payment had been introduced in Nigeria a long time ago.

He highlighted some of the reasons as expensive card services which include charges due to foreign exchange requirements of the international card system and unlocalised cards in existence.

Emefiele averred that the new national domestic card scheme seeks to address these challenges and encourage more card transactions, adding that the card would be accessible to all citizens regardless of locality.

Loans

FG Releases List of 94 Approved Online Loan Applications

Published

2 days ago

January 26, 2023

Blessing Akorowosi

Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC under the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment has assented to 94 online loan applications for operation in Nigeria.

Investors King reports that out of the 94 approved digital money lender companies in Nigeria, 49 companies were fully approved while the other 45 firms were issued conditional approval.

Google, in November 2022 threatened in its new policy to delete all unlicensed Nigerian loan apps from the Google play store by January 31, 2023, Investors King recalls.

Every loan app is required to tender their documents from the FCCPC which is saddled with the responsibility of safeguarding the interest and ensuring the well-being of consumers.

According to the FCCPC update on the registration of online loan applications which is still ongoing, the licensing is necessary to curb the menace of extortion by loan sharks.

The Commission explained that the regulatory framework and guidelines for the digital lenders companies were earmarked in partnership with the Joint Task Force (JTF) aimed at ensuring fairness and advantageous alternative lending opportunities for the citizens.

In the Commission’s laid down guidelines, the lending company will register with the FCCPC and fill two forms– Form DLG 001 and Form DLG 002.

“Form DLG OO1 is the registration form that requires the applicant company to provide identification and operational information to the FCCPC.

“The Form DLG 002 contains declarations relating to: Legitimacy; Compliance with applicable regulatory requirements; Lawful source of funds and conformity with anti-money laundering; and Data protection laws,” it stated.

As outlined by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the listed companies below have gotten the full approval of the commission—