By Adedapo Adesanya
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has commenced a mystery shopping exercise and periodic spot checks to Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in its latest crusade to tackle the hawking of Naira notes.
Last week, the bank announced it would heavily penalise the erring banks found supporting the hawking of Naira notes.
It also announced that the banks to whom cash seized from hawkers of cash is traced, will be penalised 10 per cent of the total value of cash withdrawn on the day the seized cash was withdrawn from the CBN.
In a memo signed by Mr Solaja Olayemi, Acting Director, Currency Operations Department of the CBN, to DMBs on Friday in Abuja said that the CBN would engage in “mystery shopping” exercise and periodic “spot checks” on cash distribution and disbursement activities of DMBs to ascertain the source of such Naira notes.
He said that the initiatives were introduced to monitor and prevent practices that facilitate the flow of mint banknotes to hawkers of Naira cash, thereby discouraging abuse of the Naira.
He said that the initiatives would also ensure that DMBs support efficient and responsible cash disbursement to the public.
The apex bank noted that after the first penalty of 10 per cent, “Every subsequent offence will be charged an incremental penalty of five per cent.
“DMBs found engaging in cash hoarding, diversion, or any actions that hinder efficient cash distribution, including violations of the Clean Note Policy, will incur appropriate sanctions.”
The central bank urged DMBs to implement internal controls for responsible disbursement and accountability in respect of mint banknote payouts at their outlets, as the yuletide season approached, with an anticipated increase in cash demand,
“To enhance public access to cash, we encourage banks to prioritise cash distribution through Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
“During this season, the CBN, in collaboration with relevant law enforcement agencies, will intensify spot checks and mystery shopping activities to monitor and enforce responsible cash distribution and prevent Naira abuse,” the statement said.
