•Says banks not hoarding cash
By Chinwendu Obienyi
The Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB) has said it is fully in support of the enhanced cashless policy championed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
This was even as the body stated that banks are not hoarding casbut that it is working with other stakeholders to urgently address constraints in the implementation to ensure that Nigerians suffer no untoward pains in the transition process.
In a statement signed by the President, ACAMB, Rasheed Bolarinwa, the body empathised with the Nigerian public on the unintended hardships being faced in the process of the ongoing rollout of re-designed naira notes and enhanced cashless policy.
Bolarinwa stated that Nigerian banks have invested an estimated total sum in excess of N100 billion in setting up and maintaining cutting-edge electronic channels over the past few years as part of ongoing commitment to seamless customer experience and real time digital financial transactions.
He also added that it is a national pride and a proof of Nigerian Banks’ commitment to customer service that Nigeria is regarded as having Africa’s most digitised banking industry.
“Nigerian banks remain committed to continuing investments in seamless and secured digital banking that excite customers to voluntarily use and rely on the various digital and alternate payment systems available. In view of its numerous benefits and the cutting-edge capability of the Nigerian banking sector, ACAMB fully supports the enhanced cashless policy championed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)”, he said.
According to him, Nigerian banks are currently working with the CBN to ensure that customers have access to cash through ATMs and other channels as well as Over-The-Counter (OTC) in the banking halls.
“ACAMB affirms without any equivocation that banks are not in any way hoarding or holding back naira notes or engaging in any act inimical to our avowed commitment to exciting customer experience. ATMs are being loaded every day and cash is being paid as provided by the CBN, as regularly being checked by CBN Inspectors and other regulators including anti-graft agencies”, he stated.
Bolarinwa further urged the Nigerian banking public to exercise patience and not to resort to any untoward behavior against bank staff or banking facilities.
He said, “Banks and customers are inseparable stakeholders as they exist for one another. It is therefore, detrimental to the interest of the general banking public to disrupt banking operations by untoward actions against bank staff or vandalisation of banking facilities.
Nigerian banking industry owes its global success as a leader in digital banking to its enthusiastic customers and remains committed to do everything possible to ensure customers continue to have delightful experience; in the banking halls and across the electronic and other alternate channels”
The ACAMB President thereafter said it shall continue to engage all stakeholders and stimulate effective communications to foster greater understanding and forbearance.