CBN ORDERS CLOSURE OF MONEY TRANSFER OPERATORS’ NAIRA ACCOUNTS
Written by Questit on December 21, 2020
THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN) HAS DIRECTED THE DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS (DMBS) TO CLOSE ALL NAIRA ACCOUNTS OF INTERNATIONAL MONEY TRANSFER OPERATORS.
IT DISCLOSED THIS ON FRIDAY IN A CIRCULAR TILTED ‘RECEIPT OF DIASPORA REMITTANCES: ADDITIONAL OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES 2 ADDRESSED TO ALL DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS, PAYMENT SERVICE PROVIDERS AND INTERNATIONAL MONEY TRANSFER OPERATORS.
THE CIRCULAR WAS SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR, BANKING SUPERVISION DEPARTMENT; AND DIRECTOR, PAYMENTS SYSTEM MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE CIRCULAR READ, “DMBS ARE TO CLOSE ALL NAIRA ACCOUNTS FOR IMTOS. THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT DIASPORA REMITTANCES ARE RECEIVED BY BENEFICIARIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCY ONLY (CASH AND/OR TRANSFERS TO DOMICILIARY ACCOUNTS OF RECIPIENTS).
THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA HAD WARNED OPERATORS AGAINST PAYING RECIPIENTS OF DIASPORA REMITTANCES IN LOCAL CURRENCY IN A EARLIER CIRCULAR.
IT WARNED THAT VIOLATORS COULD LOSE THEIR OPERATIONAL LICENCES IF THEY FAILED TO COMPLY WITH ITS GUIDELINES ON REMITTANCES.
