In a bid to promote a cashless policy, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has set a daily withdrawal limit on point-of-sale (PoS) terminals to N100,000 per customer.
Cumulatively, customers are only entitled to a weekly cash withdrawal limit per customer to N500,000.00 per week.
These new directives were contained in its ‘Circular on Cash-Out Limits for Agent Banking Transactions,’ released late on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
In the circular to all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Microfinance Banks, Mobile Money Operators and Super-Agents by Oladimeji Yisa Taiwo for the Director, Payments System Management Department, the apex bank noted that the restriction is in line with its ongoing efforts to advance a cash-less economy.
It reads, “In line with its ongoing efforts to advance a cashless economy. “The Bank hereby releases the following policy interventions, which have become necessary to enhance the use of electronic payment channels for agency banking operations,
“The interventions aim to address identified challenges, combat fraud and establish uniform operational standards across the industry.
“In view of the above, ALL principals of agents are to comply with the following directives immediately:
i. Issuers shall set a cash withdrawal limit (cash-out) per customer (regardless of channel) to N500,000.00 per week,” the circular reads.
“ii. Ensure that all agent banking terminals are set to a daily maximum transaction cash-out limit of N100,000.00 per customer.
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“iii. Ensure that each agent’s daily cumulative cash-out limit shall not exceed N1,200,000.00.
“iv. Ensure that agent banking services are clearly demarcated from merchant activities and that agents apply the approved Agent Code 6010 for agent banking activities.
“v. Ensure that agency banking activities are consummated exclusively through agent float accounts maintained with the principals.
“vi. Monitor accounts associated with the agents’ BVN(S) with a view to identifying agent banking activities which may be conducted outside the designated float account(s).
“vii. Ensure that all agent terminals are connected to a PTSA
“viii. Ensure that all daily transactions per agent, including withdrawals, limits of transactions and balances in the float accounts of each agent, are sent electronically to NIBSS as a repot to the CBN. The template of this report will be sent to principals.”
CBN said as stated in the guidelines for the regulation of agent banking and agent banking relationships in Nigeria, principals would be held fully responsible and liable for all actions and omissions of their agents related to agent banking services.
The apex bank also warned that it would conduct oversight activities, including impromptu back-end configuration checks to ensure compliance.
CBN said breach of the directives contained in the circular will attract appropriate penalties including monetary and/or administrative sanctions.
By: Babajide Okeowo
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