Just In: CBN Raises Cash Withdrawal Limit To N500,000 Weekly

The Central Bank of Nigeria has increased the weekly cash withdrawal limits through all channels by individuals and businesses to N500,000 and N5 million respectively.

The directive is included in a circular issued by the bank on Wednesday and signed by Haruna Mustafa, director of banking supervision.

The development comes two weeks after CBN lowered the weekly limit for over-the-counter cash withdrawals to N100,000 for individuals and N500,000 for businesses.

It was reported that Apex Bank has reduced his ATM and POS terminal withdrawals to N20,000 daily.

The policy has provoked mixed reactions among Nigerians, and the issue is also being considered in the House of Representatives. In a circular on Wednesday, Apex Bank said the upgrade rating is based on feedback from stakeholders.

“The CBN hereby makes the following reviews: (1) the maximum weekly limit for cash withdrawal across all channels by individuals and corporate organisations shall be N500,000.00 and N5,000,000.00 respectively.

“2. In compelling circumstances where cash withdrawal above the limits in (1) is required for legitimate purposes, such requests shall be subject to a processing fee of three per cent and five per cent for individuals and corporate organisations, respectively.

“Further to (2) above, the financial institution shall obtain the following information from the customer, at the minimum, and upload same on the CBN portal created for the purpose: valid means of identification of the payee (national ID, international passport, or driver’s license), bank verification number of the payee, tax identification number of both the payee and the payer, and an approval in writing by the MD/CEO of the financial institution authorising the withdrawal.

“Third party cheques above N100,000 shall not be eligible for payment over-the-counter, while the extant limit of N10 million on clearing cheques still subsist.”

The CBN also said monthly returns on cash withdrawal transactions above the specified limits should be rendered to the banking supervision department, other financial institutions supervision and payments system management departments.

It added, “Compliance with extant AML/CFT regulations relating to the KYC, ongoing customer due diligence and suspicious transaction reporting etc. is required in all circumstances.

“Customers should be encouraged to use alternative channels (internet banking, mobile banking apps, USSD, cards/POS, eNaira, etc.) to conduct their banking transactions.

The apex bank noted that it recognised the vital role that cash played in supporting underserved and rural communities and would ensure an inclusive approach as it implemented the transition to a more cashless society.

“All banks and OFls are to note that aiding and abetting the circumvention of this policy will attract severe sanctions,” CBN said.

“The above directives supersede that of December 6, 2022 and take effect nationwide from January 9, 2023,” the CBN said.