CBN reduces, unbundles charges on electronic merchants collections, grants incentives

Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, has said that nationwide implementation of Cash-less policy will begin in March 2020. A statement issued by the apex bank and signed by the Director, Payments System Management Department at the Bank, Sam Okojere, also announced a downward review of the Merchant Service Charge (MSC) from 0.75 per cent capped at N1,200 to 0.50 per cent capped at N1,000.

The statement said “To further promote a cash-less economy and enhance the collection of applicable government revenues, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a review of the process for merchant settlement. With effect from September 17, 2019, the CBN has approved for banks to unbundle merchant settlement amounts and charge applicable taxes and duties on individual transactions as stipulated by regulations.

Meanwhile, the CBN, in a circular to all deposit money bank (DMBs), also announced the commencement of charges on deposits in addition to already existing charges on withdrawals. According to the circular, the charges, which take effect from Wednesday, September 18, 2019, will attract 3 per cent processing fees for withdrawals and 2 per cent processing fees for lodgments of amounts above N500,000 for individual accounts.  

Similarly, corporate accounts will attract 5% processing fees for withdrawals and 3% processing fee for lodgments of amounts above N3,000,000. The statement, however, disclosed that the charge on deposits shall apply in Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Abia, Anambra, and Rivers States as well as the Federal Capital Territory. It added that the implementation of the cash-less policy would take effect from March 31, 2020.