Why CBN Barred Microfinance Banks From Foreign Exchange Transactions

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has barred microfinance banks from foreign exchange transactions on the claim that such transactions are beyond the remit of their operating licenses.

The Central Bank has in the same manner warned the microfinance banks against going the whole hog of commercial banking against the remit of the licenses given to them.

The CBN directive was conveyed through a circular to all microfinance banks dated August 19, 2021, and titled “cessation of non-permissible activities by microfinance banks”, said no microfinance bank should indulge in forex transactions.

The circular was signed by Ibrahim Tukur for the Financial Policy and Regulation Department, CBN.

The circular read: “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has observed the activities of some Microfinance Banks (MFBs) that have gone beyond the remit of their operating licenses by engaging in non permissible activities especially wholesale banking, foreign exchange transactions and others.”

It said: “Given the comparatively low capitalization of MFBs, dealing in wholesale and/or foreign exchange transactions are a significant risk with dire consequences for financial system stability. It has therefore become imperative to remind all MFBs to strictly comply with the extant Revised Regulatory and Supervisory Guidelines for Microfinance Banks in Nigeria 2012 (the Guidelines).

The CBN as such warned that defaulting microfinance banks risk losing their licenses.

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