The Banker’s Committee after a meeting held in Abuja, on Tuesday,
announced a unanimous decision to stop the interbank ATM charge of N100.
The Managing Director of First Bank, Bisi Onasanya, who told
journalist about the decision, said it was in line with ``popular
trends’’ in other parts of the world.
“Presently when you use the ATM of a bank other than your bank,
there is a charge of N100 which is borne by the account holder,” he
said. “We have decided that we will work out the modality and ensure
that with immediate effect we would pass on this cost to the respective
banks which bear the cost of providing services.
“No matter where you are withdrawing your money from, you will not be subjected to any charge for using the ATM.
The new policy, however, does not cover withdrawals made inside the banking hall when the ATMs are off.
``But for transaction on what we call 'not on us’, when you are an
FBN customer and you use the ATM of a GTB bank, it is free and it will
no longer bear any cost.’’
Agnes Olatokunbo, Director of Banking Services at the Central Bank,
said the apex bank and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
would conduct a joint examination of stockbroking firms to ensure
financial stability.
``Presently, the CBN supervises the bank but in the interest of
financial stability, we will be working jointly with SEC to supervise
stockbroking firms, especially those owned by holding companies under
the new banking reforms.’’
Also speaking, the Group Managing Director of Union Bank, Emeka
Enuwa, said the banks had also decided to support mortgage liquidity
facility for civil servants and private sector employees.
Enuwa expressed the committee’s support for the Federal Government’s
ongoing efforts to provide more affordable housing to civil servants
and the middle class.
``The cost of acquiring a house for an individual, as a civil
servant, is quite difficult and getting a mortgage over a long period of
time had not been that easy.
``What this programme intends to achieve is to make it much easier
for civil servants and private sector employees to assess financing to
acquire homes for themselves at an acceptable duration and reasonable
interest rate.’’
Speaking on the modalities for assessing the credit facility, Enuwa
said the details would be provided subsequently as the framework had
just been agreed on.
On other decisions reached at the meeting, Dr Shehu Mohammed, acting
Managing Director of Keystone Bank, said the committee also agreed to
make ``significant donation’’ to flood victims across the country.
Mohammed said the meeting considered the issue of the recent flood
in the country and decided that respective banks should make donations
through the Federal Government fund-raising committee headed by Alhaji
Aliko Dangote.
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