CBN Introduces Fresh Fees on ATM Withdrawals

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced an upward review of the transaction fees for automated teller machines (ATMs) for the first time in almost six years.

In a circular signed by its Acting Director of Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Mr John Onojah, at the apex bank said the revised charges will take effect from March 1.

The regulator said the move would address rising operational costs and enhance efficiency in the banking sector.

The last review of ATM transaction charges happened in 2019 when the CBN reduced the withdrawal fees from N65 to N35.

The latest increase means Nigerians will pay more for more ATM transactions when they use another bank’s ATM.

The apex bank said the review is in line with Section 10.7 of the ‘CBN guide to charges by banks, other financial and non-bank financial institutions (2020)’.

“In response to rising costs and the need to improve the efficiency of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) services in the banking industry, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reviewed the ATM transaction fees prescribed in Section 10.7 of the extant CBN Guide to Charges by Banks, Other Financial and Non-Bank Financial Institutions, 2020. (the Guide),” the CBN said.

“This review is expected to accelerate the deployment of ATMs and ensure that appropriate charges are applied by financial institutions to consumers of the service.

“Accordingly, banks and other financial institutions are advised to apply the following fees with effect from March 1, 2025.”

According to the new policy, customers withdrawing from their bank’s ATMs (on-us transactions) will continue to enjoy free withdrawals.

However, a N100 fee per N20,000 withdrawal will be applied at on-site ATMs (those located at bank branches).

For withdrawals at ATMs of other banks (Not-on-Us transactions), an off-site withdrawal will attract a N100 fee plus a surcharge of up to N500 per N20,000 withdrawal.

The CBN clarified that the surcharge is the income of the “ATM deployer/acquirer and must be disclosed to consumers at the point of withdrawal”.

For international withdrawals using debit or credit cards, the CBN said banks and financial institutions are now permitted to apply “a cost-recovery charge equivalent to the exact amount charged by the international acquirer”.

“Furthermore, the three free monthly withdrawals allowed for Remote-On-Us (other bank’s customers/Not-On-Us consumers) in Nigeria under Section 10.6.2 of the Guide shall no longer apply,” the CBN statement added.

The apex bank urged all financial institutions to comply with the new directives before the implementation date.