January 15, 2025
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has sanctioned Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) that failed to make Naira notes available through automated teller machines (ATMs), during the yuletide season.
The affected banks include Fidelity Bank Plc, First Bank Plc, Keystone Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc, Globus Bank Plc, Providus Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, and Sterling Bank Plc.
Each bank was fined ₦150 million for non-compliance, in line with the CBN’s cash distribution guidelines, following spot checks on their branches.
The enforcement action follows repeated warnings from the CBN to financial institutions to guarantee seamless cash availability, particularly during periods of high demand.
READ MORE; CBN Cautions DMBs over cash disbursements
The Acting Director of Corporate Communications at the CBN, Hakama Sidi Ali confirmed the development, noting that “Ensuring seamless cash flow is paramount to maintaining public trust and economic stability.
“The CBN will not hesitate to impose further sanctions on any institution found violating its cash circulation guidelines,” she stated.
Reports have it that the fines would be debited directly from their accounts with the apex bank.