Banking
CBN Report Shows Nigerian Banks Charge 49.50% Interest Rate
By Dipo Olowookere
A new report by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed that some deposit money bank’s (DMBs) in the country charge their customers as high as 49.50 percent per annum as interest rate.
The CBN report titled: ‘Deposit and Lending Rates in the Banking Industry’ showed the deposit and lending rates obtainable in commercial and merchant banks.
According to The Nation, which obtained the report, the apex bank explained that the disclosure was in furtherance of the transparency and full disclosure stance of the regulator.
It also aligns with the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision that the lending rates obtainable in Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) be made public to guide business decisions.
The applicable rates for banks as at May 18 showed that while some banks lend cheaply to prime borrowers, their maximum lending rate to other category of borrowers went as high as 49.50 percent per annum for the agricultural sector.
The report showed that Union Bank Plc lends to public utilities sector at 17.50 percent, prime rate, and 24.50 percent maximum rate. The bank lends for general purpose at 17.50 percent, prime, and 52.50 percent maximum.
Average rate for demand deposit at Union Bank is 0.50 percent; 4.20 percent for savings and 12.48 percent for demand deposit. The bank however, lends to agriculture at 23.50 percent, prime, and has 49.50 percent as its maximum lending rate for the sector. Mining and quarrying borrow at 17.50 percent, prime, and 33 percent maximum. Power and Energy borrow at 22 percent, prime, and 22 percent, maximum, while oil and gas borrow at 7.50 percent, prime, and 26 percent maximum.
The CBN’s data showed that Unity Bank pays the highest average interest rate of 16 per cent per annum to depositors on time deposit, while GTBank pays the lowest of 7.13 per cent to time depositors.
First City Monument Bank (FCMB) lends at three per cent to oil and gas sector, prime rate, but its maximum rate to the sector is 30 per cent. Stanbic IBTC Bank lends at 11 per cent to oil and gas sector, prime rate, and has 30 per cent as its maximum rate to the sector.
The data showed that Skye Bank lends at nine per cent to government, prime rate, and 31 per cent maximum rate to the market segment.
Diamond Bank lends to oil and gas at 20 per cent prime, and has 30 per cent as its maximum lending rate to the sector.
For FirstBank, its average interest rate on demand deposit is zero per cent; 4.20 per cent average interest rate for savings deposit and 7.50 per cent for time deposit. The bank lends to agriculture at nine per cent, prime, 27 per cent maximum; manufacturing borrows at 20 per cent, prime, and 28 per cent maximum, while real estate borrows at 20 per cent, prime, and 27 per cent maximum. Finance and insurance borrow at 20 per cent prime, and 27 per cent maximum, while education borrows at 19 per cent prime, and 27 per cent maximum.
The power sector borrow at 19 per cent prime, 27 per cent maximum while capital market borrows from the bank at nine per cent prime, and 27 per cent maximum; oil and gas borrow at 20 per cent prime, and 28 per cent maximum.
For United Bank for Africa (UBA PLc), its average interest rate on deposit is 0.28 per cent; the lender pays 4.20 per cent on savings deposit, and 10.86 per cent for time deposit. The bank lends to agriculture at seven per cent, prime, and 25 per cent, maximum; manufacturing, 19 per cent, prime and 29 per cent maximum.
Access Bank’s average interest rate on demand deposit is 0.05 per cent; savings deposit is 4.20 per cent while time deposit is 11.84 per cent. The bank’s prime lending rate for agriculture, forestry, and fishing is 19 per cent; while maximum lending rate for the sector is 30.50 per cent. The bank’s prime lending rate to manufacturing is 14 per cent; while 30.5 per cent is its maximum lending rate. The lender lends to government at 16 per cent, prime, and 26.50 per cent maximum rate.
Its loans to education sector is priced at 19 per cent; and 30.50 per cent is the maximum rate. Power ad energy, oil and gas borrow at 15 per cent form the bank, prime while its maximum rate is 30.50 per cent.
Guaranty Trust Bank Pls’ average interest rate on demand deposit is 2.90 per cent; savings deposit at 4.20 per cent and time deposit at 7.713 per cent. The bank lends to agriculture at seven per cent, prime, 21 per cent maximum rate.
Manufacturers borrow from GTBank at 12 per cent, prime, 25 per cent maximum. The bank lends to real estate at 19 per cent, prime, 23 per cent maximum, while finance and insurance sector borrow from the lender at 21 per cent prime, 25 per cent, maximum. Government borrows at 18 per cent, prime, 18 per cent, maximum rates.
Speaking on the lending rates, Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muda Yusuf, said such rates further depresses investment and hurt the economy. According to him, it further alienates and causes disconnection between the banks and their customers.
“It will be an investment suicide for any businessman to borrow at such rates. It is an abnormality to lend at such rates in an economy that wants to create jobs and recover from recession. I urge the CBN to critically look at those rates and take immediate decision that will boost the real sector,” he said.
Yusuf added: “If you want the private sector to be engine of growth, you have to deal with interest rate. Lending to customers at such rates will further increase the level of default of borrowers because the higher the lending rate, the higher the default rate”.
On banks’ claims that their cost of operations is high, he said the apex bank can also reduce the Cash Reserve Ratio and Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to reduce cost of funds for banks.
“Banks need to create credit that supports the economy, by boosting production and reducing poverty,” Yusuf said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Yemi Cardoso, says Nigeria anticipates remittances from citizens living abroad to increase by two-thirds in 2026 as it seeks to bolster its foreign-exchange reserves to $1 billion monthly.
“We are expecting that by the end of the year, we will hit about a billion Dollars a month from diaspora remittances,” he said at the 14th Annual BusinessDay CEO Forum in Lagos on Thursday, themed From Stability to Shared Prosperity.
Mr Cardoso said remittances are expected to be boosted from more than $600 million currently, banking on the CBN’s deliberate target at remittances to diversify reserve sources beyond oil earnings.
According to him, the apex bank engaged Nigerians abroad, banks and international partners to identify barriers to official remittance flows.
He said the lender subsequently reviewed policies to ensure easier movement of funds into and out of the country.
Mr Cardoso described the approach as providing free entry and free exit for foreign exchange.
He said the reforms helped double diaspora inflows within one year and exceeded initial expectations, also projecting annual remittances could reach about $8 billion if the current momentum was sustained, adding that the development reflected growing confidence in Nigeria’s financial system and foreign exchange market.
Mr Cardoso said reforms introduced by the apex bank had restored stability in the foreign exchange market and improved investors’ confidence.
He identified exchange rate unification as one of the central bank’s major achievements under the reforms programme.
According to him, replacing multiple exchange rate windows with a market-driven system eliminated distortions and improved transparency.
Mr Cardoso said improved foreign exchange liquidity and stronger reserves were among the gains from the reforms.
He said Nigeria’s net external reserves had risen from about $3 billion at the start of the reforms to above $40 billion currently, noting that gross external reserves had grown to about $52 billion, representing about 10 months of import cover.
According to him, the reserves are designed to shield the economy from external shocks and excessive market volatility.
He said the reserves were not meant for routine interventions or day-to-day exchange rate management.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The flagship banking subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) Limited, has been announced as the winner of Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank award at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026.
The lender clinched this accolade at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026 ceremony, held on July 17, 2026, at The Peninsula London, England, for its outstanding performance, innovation, customer service, and leadership.
GTBank’s recognition as Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank reflects its continued leadership in digital innovation and its commitment to delivering seamless, secure, and customer-centric financial solutions.
As the banking franchise of GTCO, GTBank has consistently set industry benchmarks in digital transformation, pioneering solutions that have redefined how individuals and businesses access, manage, and experience financial services.
Over the years, GTBank has transformed the banking experience through a suite of innovative digital platforms, including the GTWORLD mobile app and solutions that provide millions of customers with seamless, secure, and convenient access to financial services.
The bank continues to strengthen its digital capabilities by introducing products and services that meet evolving customer needs while maintaining the highest standards of security, reliability, and service excellence.
This latest recognition underscores the company’s position as a market leader and reflects its sustained investment in technology, operational excellence, and innovation.
“This recognition is a testament to the legacy upon which GTBank was built and the vision that continues to guide us today.
“From inception, our goal has been to deliver on the Group’s vision to make end-to-end financial services accessible to everyone by leveraging technology to remove barriers, simplify experiences, and create meaningful value for our customers,” the chief executive of GTBank, Mrs Miriam Olusanya, stated.
“While we are honoured by this recognition, we see it as an acknowledgement of what we have achieved and a motivation to do even more.
“We remain focused on raising the bar for digital banking, investing in innovative solutions, and delivering exceptional experiences that create lasting value for our customers.
“As the financial services landscape continues to evolve, we will continue to innovate, adapt, and lead with the same commitment to excellence that has defined our franchise for decades,” she added.
The Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026 convened leading financial institutions, industry executives, and policymakers from across the globe to celebrate excellence, innovation, and leadership in the financial services sector.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A collaboration to enable fast money transfers into Nigeria has been entered into between Flutterwave and Xoom, PayPal’s international digital money transfer service.
The partnership allows Xoom transfers to be converted by Flutterwave and settled locally in Naira, enabling quick transfers directly into recipients’ bank accounts at Access Bank, UBA, Zenith Bank, First Bank, GTBank, and additional participating banks across Nigeria.
The deal also enables Xoom’s global network with Flutterwave’s local payout infrastructure, allowing users globally to send funds directly into Nigerian bank accounts with improved speed and efficiency.
Nigeria is the leading remittance recipient in Sub-Saharan Africa, receiving over $20 billion in personal remittances in 2024. Despite this volume, receiving international payments has historically remained complex due to FX constraints and settlement delays. This collaboration helps address those challenges in a market of more than 232 million people, where the ICT sector is projected to contribute 21 per cent of GDP by 2027.
By combining Xoom’s expansive reach with Flutterwave’s local compliance and banking partnerships, the two companies are providing a more accessible financial corridor for the continent.
Xoom, a PayPal service, is a fast and secure international digital money transfer service that enables consumers to send money, pay bills, and reload phones for friends and family in approximately 160 markets globally.
As part of PayPal’s global payments ecosystem, Xoom leverages advanced fraud protection, compliance capabilities, and a trusted global network to help millions of customers move money quickly and securely across borders.
“We’re excited to have been chosen by Xoom for their Nigeria expansion. Millions of Nigerians rely on money from abroad to support everyday needs, whether it’s families receiving help from loved ones, freelancers getting paid for their work, or individuals earning income from the global economy. This helps make it easy and more reliable for people in Nigeria to receive funds and stay connected to opportunities beyond borders,” the chief executive of Flutterwave, Mr Olugbenga GB Agboola, stated.
