As the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) prepares to effect a change of naira notes in circulation starting from December 15, it has limited over-the-counter cash withdrawals by individuals and corporate entities per week to N100,000 and N500, 000, respectively.
In a memo dated December 6 and entitled ‘Naira redesign policy-revised cash withdrawal limits’ the bank limited withdrawal at POS terminals to N20, 000 per day.
Besides, it stated that “Third party cheques above 50,000 shall not be eligible for payment over the counter, while extant limits of N10, 000, 000 on clearing cheques still subsist.”
The memo signed by the director of banking supervision, Mr. Haruna Mustafa takes effect from January 9, 2023.
It reads:
“Further to the launch of the redesigned Naira notes by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 and in line with the Cash- less policy of the CBN, all deposit money banks (DMBS) and other financial institutions (OFIs) are hereby directed to note and comply with the following:
“The maximum cash withdrawal over the counter (OTC) by individuals and corporate organizations per week shall henceforth be N100, 000 and N500, 000 respectively. “Withdrawals above these limits shall attract processing fees of 5 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively.
“Third party cheques above 50,000 shall not be eligible for payment over the counter, while extant limits of N10, 000, 000 on clearing cheques still subsist.
“The maximum cash withdrawal per week via Automated Teller Machine (ATM) shall be #100,000 subject to a maximum of N20, 000 cash withdrawal per day.
“Only denominations of #200 and below shall be loaded into the ATMs.
“The maximum cash withdrawal via point of sale (POS) terminal shall be N20, 000 daily.
“In compelling circumstances, not exceeding once a month, where cash withdrawals above the prescribed limits is required for legitimate purposes, such cash withdrawals shall not exceed #5,000,000.00 and N10,000,000.00 for individuals and corporate organisations, respectively, and shall be subject to the referenced processing fees in (1) above, in addition to enhanced due diligence and further information requirements.
“Further to (6) above, you are required to obtain the following information at the minimum and upload same on the CBN portal created for the purpose.
a. Valid means of identification of the payee (national ID, international passport, driver’s license).
b. Bank verification number (BVN) of the payee.
C. Notarised 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 bank authorising the withdrawal.
The CBN also asked Nigerians to note that “monthly returns on cash withdrawal transactions above the specified limits should be rendered to the banking supervision department”.
“Compliance with extant AML/CFT regulations relating to KYC, ongoing customer due diligence and suspicious transaction reporting etc. is required in all circumstances,” it said.
“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 above regulatory directives take effect nationwide from January 9, 2023.”
