Breaking News

BREAKING: CBN Gives Fresh Directive To Banks Over Forex Ban

Published

3 years ago

Aug 31, 2021.

CBN has given a fresh directive to banks over forex ban.

EKOHOTBLOG reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has ordered all commercial banks in the country to publish on their websites the names and Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) of customers who engage in fraudulent and unscrupulous practices to obtain foreign exchange from banks.

CBN gave the directive via a circular directed to all banks on Tuesday.

The circular signed by the CBN Director, Banking Supervision Department, Haruna Mustafa, was titled, ‘Publication of names of Defaulters of a CBN policy on sale of Forex for PTA/BTA”.

The apex bank, in the circular, outlined the fraudulent practices to include the use of fake visas and cancellation of air tickets after purchase of Personal Travel Allowance and Business Travel Allowance.

CBN further noted that the new directive was given to curb the unwholesome conduct of some unscrupulous customers who are trying to circumvent its new forex policy.

It read, “The CBN has received and noted with concern reports of sharp practices by some unscrupulous customers to circumvent the new CBN policy on the sale of forex for overseas personal and business travel.

“Some of these unwholesome practices include the use of fake visas and cancellation of air tickets after purchase of PTA/BTA. This trend, if not curbed, portends risk to the integrity and stability of the forex market.

“Consequently, further to the various measures already put in place, all banks are hereby directed to publish on their websites the names and BVN of defaulting customers who present fake travel documents or cancel their tickets and fail to return the purchased PTA/BTA within two (weeks) as stipulated in the customer declaration form signed by them,” CBN stated.