CBN fined Zenith Bank, Fidelity, others ₦150m each for ATM cash hoarding

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has sanctioned some banks for failing to make Naira notes available through automated teller machines (ATMs), during the yuletide season. The affected banks include Zenith Bank, Fidelity Bank Plc, First Bank Plc, Keystone Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc, Globus Bank Plc, Providus Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, and Sterling Bank Plc.
Each bank was fined ₦150 million for non-compliance, in line with the CBN’s cash distribution guidelines, following spot checks on their branches. The enforcement action follows repeated warnings from the CBN to financial institutions to guarantee seamless cash availability, particularly during periods of high demand. The Acting Director of Corporate Communications at the CBN, Hakama Sidi Ali confirmed the development, noting that “Ensuring seamless cash flow is paramount to maintaining public trust and economic stability.
“The CBN will not hesitate to impose further sanctions on any institution found violating its cash circulation guidelines,” she stated. The CBN’s investigations and monitoring will continue to scrutinise cash hoarding and rationing, both at bank branches and by Point-of-Sale (POS) operators. The Central Bank is working with security agencies to crack down on illegal cash sales and operational violations, including enforcing POS operators’ daily cumulative withdrawal limit of N1.2 million.