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Banks Set Monthly Cash Deposit Limit for Domiciliary Accounts

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Demand for Dollars

By Dipo Olowookere

The amount of cash that can be deposited into domiciliary accounts of customers in Nigeria has been reduced by banks, Business Post has learned.

This new development is coming after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) indefinitely extended a scheme that allows beneficiaries of diaspora remittances to get an extra N5 for every $1 received.

The Naira 4 Dollar promo was introduced by the apex bank and became effective from Monday, March 8, 2021, and was to initially last for only two months.

However, last week, the banking industry watchdog issued a circular to announce that the initiative is to now run till further notice.

“Further to the CBN circular referenced TED/FEM/PUB/FPC/01/003 dated March 5, 2021, on the above subject matter, we hereby announce the continuation of the scheme until further notice.

“All aspects of the operationalization of the programme remain the same.

“Please take note and ensure compliance,” the circular issued last week had stated.

The Naira 4 Dollar policy was introduced to boost FX liquidity as the country was experiencing a shortage in supply as a result of a decline in revenue from crude oil sales.

An earlier notice from the central bank had explained the promo would help Nigeria “to make the process of sending remittance through formal bank channels cheaper and more convenient for Nigerians in the diaspora.”

It had also said the scheme would “ensure that remittance flows and diaspora investments become a significant source of external financing” for the nation.

Over the weekend, this newspaper sighted an e-mail from one of the commercial banks, saying customers are no longer allowed to make a deposit of more than $5,000 in a month into a domiciliary account.

However, there is no limit set for electronic transfer into such accounts.

“There is a $5,000 monthly cash deposit limit,” a part of the notice read.

“Cash funded transfers to beneficiaries with accounts in other banks in Nigeria are no longer allowed,” the notice also stated, encouraging customers “to make more deposits via electronic transfers.”

A banker with one of the tier-one banks in Nigeria, who asked not to be named informed Business Post that the cash deposit limit was put in place to prevent customers from exploiting the CBN promo as once feared by a renowned economist, Mr Bismarck Rewane.

Mr Rewane had said two months ago that some Nigerians could send FX to their loved ones at home, withdraw it for the N5 cash bonus and then transfer the funds back abroad to be re-transferred back into the country.

“In any case, you collect cash, and you take it to the parallel market or autonomous sources to sell the Naira, and then come back and you get the N5. What could happen is that you could turn $1,000 back again to your brother, who will bring it back.

“So, what could happen is that there could be what I call playing with neurons, the same money turning around the velocity of separation increasing, whilst the quantity supplied into the market will not increase,” he had told Channels TV after the CBN announced the policy.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

Banking

Proposed Bidvest Bank Acquisition by Access Bank Hits Regulatory Brick Wall

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roosevelt ogbonna access bank

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The proposed acquisition of South African financial institution, Bidvest Bank by a Nigerian lender, Access Bank Plc, has hit a brick wall.

Access Holdings Plc, the parent company of the Nigerian bank, had announced on December 12, 2024, its intention to completely takeover Bidvest Bank.

Talks regarding the 100 per cent stake acquisition began between the two banks and January 26, 2026, was fixed as the long-stop date by which all conditions required for the completion of the deal.

However, the day has come and gone with the conclusion of the transaction still hanging, according to Access Bank in a statement on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

The company disclosed that certain conditions, including regulatory requirements, were not fully met as of the expiration of the long-stop date.

While Access Bank thanked the board and management of Bidvest for their patience and support throughout this process, it noted that the brick wall experienced in the transaction “reflects the complexities and extended timelines associated with multi-jurisdictional regulatory and transactional processes.”

However, the chief executive of Access Bank, Mr Roosevelt Ogbonna, said the organisation remains “constructively engaged with stakeholders on this transaction towards finding a potential path to closure.”

“This initial outcome does not diminish our confidence in South Africa’s financial ecosystem,” he declared, pointing out that the lender remains “focused on building Africa’s most respected financial institution, strengthening our trade finance capabilities and delivering long-term value to customers, partners and communities across all our markets.”

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CBN Grants Bank of Industry Approval to Operate Non-Interest Banking

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Bank of Industry BoI MSMEs

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Bank of Industry (BoI) has secured regulatory approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to offer Non-Interest Banking (NIB) services, marking a major expansion of its financing framework.

The approval was disclosed in a statement by the BoI Managing Director, Mr Olasupo Olusi, on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

The move is expected to strengthen the bank’s role in promoting sustainable industrial development and improving access to finance for underserved and high-impact business segments across Nigeria.

With the approval, BoI is authorised to commence non-interest banking operations, providing ethical, asset-backed financing options that prohibit interest and promote risk-sharing.

The initiative aligns with growing demand for alternative financing structures that support inclusive growth and social development objectives.

Mr Olusi described the approval as a significant milestone in the bank’s growth and long-term development agenda, adding that it positions BoI to deepen its contribution to Nigeria’s industrialisation drive through tailored financial solutions.

“This development marks a significant milestone in the Bank of Industry’s growth and long-term development agenda,” Olusi said.
“It positions the bank to further advance Nigeria’s sustainable and inclusive industrial development through tailored financial solutions for underserved and high-impact business segments.”

“Under this framework, BoI will be able to finance assets and raw materials for customers using approved non-interest banking products,” he added.

Mr Olusi noted that the approval underscores the CBN’s confidence in BoI’s governance and commitment to responsible financing.

He said the licence would allow the bank to scale its operations, introduce innovative financing solutions, deepen support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and reach a new category of borrowers who were previously unable to access BoI’s funding.

Reconstructed in 2001 from the former Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (NIDB) Limited, BoI was originally incorporated in 1959 to transform the country’s industrial sector by providing long-term, low-interest financing and advisory support to various enterprises.

The introduction of a non-interest banking window is expected to broaden BoI’s financing toolkit and attract new pools of ethical and faith-based capital.

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Yemi Kale for Second Ecobank Customer Forum on Regional Integration

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Group Chief Economist and Managing Director for Research and Trade Intelligence at the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Mr Yemi Kale, has been pencilled down to deliver the keynote address at the second Ecobank Customer Forum.

The programme, themed Strengthening Regional Integration for Economic Transformation, will take place at the Ecobank Pan-African Centre (EPAC) in Lagos.

The forum, organised by the bank’s Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities (FICC) Business (Treasury), is designed to examine critical issues shaping Nigeria’s and Africa’s economic outlook in 2026, with particular focus on trade, financial markets, foreign exchange liquidity and regional integration, especially as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement enters a strategic phase of implementation.

The Regional Treasurer for Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Mr Olumide Adebayo, said the one-day programme reinforces the lender’s role as a trusted financial partner and customer-focused institution, with the intention to foster dialogue, support informed decision-making, and deeper regional economic integration across Africa.

According to him, the seminar will open with welcome remarks by the Managing Director/Regional Executive of Ecobank Nigeria, Mr Bolaji Lawal, who will underscore the bank’s commitment to supporting customers and driving inclusive growth through strategic dialogue, innovation and pan-African collaboration.

The keynote address, titled The Future of Trade in Africa: Harnessing the AfCFTA for Economic Transformation, will be delivered by Mr Kale and will provide insights into Africa’s trade prospects and the transformative potential of the AfCFTA.

The forum will feature two high-level panel discussions: Balancing the Risk between Interest Rate and Exchange Rate: Business Expectations and Outlook in 2026, and Export Proceeds, Oil Receipts and Remittances in 2026: Exploring Options that Best Support FX Liquidity and Flows in Nigeria.

The event would be moderated by Messrs. Aruoture Oddiri, Host and Producer of Global Business Report on Arise News and Barnabas Vajeh of Ecobank Nigeria Limited.

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