CBN reduces transactions charges to deepen financial inclusion. The apex bank is set to drive financial inclusion with low financial services charges offering by banks and non-banking operators.
In its recent guide on charges, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) www.cbn.gov.ng reduced charges taken by banks as it pursues financial inclusion target. The new guide is expected to take effect from January 1st, 2020.
The revised Guide to Charges by Banks, other financial and non bank financial institutions, is to replace the one issued in May 2017.
Alongside the guide, apex bank also released Consumer Protection Regulations to implement the principles prescribed in the Consumer Protection Framework issued in November 2016.
CBN said the revision of the guide to charges and strengthening of the Consumer Protection Regulation was necessitated by continued evolution in the financial industry over the past few years.
The apex regulator thinks this has spurred innovation and the introduction of new products, channels and/or participants.
CBN claimed that these developments have made it imperative for continued vigilance by the regulatory authorities to ensure the protection of consumer rights as more individuals are financially included whilst encouraging market forces to increasingly drive pricing for financial products.
“These innovations supported by a sound regulatory framework have indeed transformed the Nigerian financial landscape over the past decade which has driven financial inclusion.
“According to EFINA, financial inclusion increased to 63.2% as at December 2018 from 60.3% in December 2012 and the increased use of electronic payments across several channels by bank customers”, the CBN noted.
Meanwhile, data from the Nigeria Inter Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) shows that PoS transactions increased by 4,692% between 2012 and 2018 from N48.46 billion to N2.3 trillion while electronic transfers increased by 1,967% from N3.8 trillion to N80.42 trillion.
Paper based cheque transactions declined by 32% from N7.48 billion to N5.03 billion.
Similarly, statistics from NIBSS on electronic transfers from June to November 2019 shows that number of transfers below N10,000 accounted for 61% of the number of electronic transfer transactions.
This is a confirmation that that the reduction of the charges for micropayments has huge potential for financial inclusion.
According to Isaac Okorafor, the spokesman for the CBN, the revised guide to charges is another move by the CBN to build an inclusive banking system that adequately caters for the needs of the banking public whilst preserving the financial sustainability of banks, other financial and non-bank financial institutions.
According to him, the guide will incentivize stakeholders, especially those making micro payments, to further embrace electronic banking channels, thus improving financial inclusion.
It will also reduce cost of banking services to customers to deepen access without much impact on bottom line of regulated institutions under the purview of the Bank, he added.
Affected Financial Services Charges
Starting from the first day in January, CBN seek full compliance on the changes made in the Guide which a graduated fee scales for electronic transfers to replace the current flat fee of N50.
Accordingly transfers below N10,000 will attract a maximum charge of N10; transfer from N5001 – N50,000 is expected to attract N25; and transfers above N50,000 would cost only N50.
On card maintenance, fee on current account has been removed as the accounts already attract account maintenance fee.
Meanwhile, savings accounts will now attract card maintenance fee of N50 per quarter from N50 per month.
Also, annual card maintenance fee on foreign currency (FCY) denominated cards is reduced to $10 from $20. Remote on us ATM charges are reduced to N35 after third withdrawal within a month from N65
CBN revised stated that the charge for hardware token will be on cost recovery basis subject to a maximum of N2,500 from previous maximum charge of N3,500
It also stated that fee for SMS mandatory alert will be on cost recovery from previous maximum charge of N4. Bill payment via e-channels will attract a maximum charge of N500 from 0.75% of transaction value subject to maximum of N1,200.
Consumer protection drive
Similarly, the Consumer Protection Regulations which are being released by the CBN alongside the revised Guide to Charges provides clarity on roles and responsibilities of all participants in the industry.
The regulation sets minimum standards on fair treatment of consumers, disclosure and transparency, business conduct, complaint handling and redress in order to protect the rights of consumers, hold banks, other financial and non-bank financial institutions accountable and preserve trust in the entire financial system.
Tough time for Banks
Analysts have said that banks may be faced with tough time as the apex bank slashes charges on financial services.
In a chat with MarketForces, analysts said the impacts would be felt in non-interest income line which many banks are using to supporting earnings sources.
Read: https://dmarketforces.com/cbn-cuts-banks-atm-charge-to-n35/
