The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a new directive that banks will pay a fine of N10,000 for every money transfer that exceeds four minutes.

The apex bank made this known in a circular, ‘Circular on the regulation on instant inter-bank electronic funds transfer services in Nigeria’ issued to all deposit money banks, microfinance banks, other financial institutions, mobile money operators, development finance institutions, payment service providers and other stakeholders.  

CBN said any failed instant payment transaction not reversed into the customer’s account within 24 hours, based on the complaint of the sender and/or beneficiary will attract a fine of N10,000.  According to the letter signed ‘Dipo Fatokun, CBN’s director, banking and payments system department, the regulation will be effective from October 2, 2019.  According to the apex bank, electronic funds transfer or a NIP happens between two distinct entities when the delivery from the sending entity to the receiving entity takes place within one minute (60 seconds), while a payments system where delivery to the receiving entity occurs beyond one minute is considered to be an ACH system.

According to the document, on an occasion where a sending entity erroneously sends value contrary to the customer’s instructions due to wrong account number, wrong amount, duplication among others to a receiving entity and requested the reversal in writing within 14 working days of the transaction, the receiving entity should oblige within one business day without recourse to the customer (beneficiary) of the receiving entity provided funds are available.  An automatic indemnity would be inferred against the sending entity making the reversal request.