The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has reacted to alleged plans to revoke the licences of Unity Bank, Keystone Bank and Polaris Bank.
An online media had claimed the apex bank would withdraw the licences of the three banks, following the revocation of the operational licence of Heritage Bank on Monday.
However, responding to what it described as a fake content, the apex bank, on Tuesday night, in a statement said the information was false
The statement reads: “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to some information circulating in the public domain, suggesting that the CBN is set to revoke the licenses of three additional banks following its regulatory action against Heritage Bank Plc on Monday, June 3, 2024.
The CBN unequivocally states that these allegations are false and intended to trigger panic in the financial system.
The Nigerian financial system remains safe, sound, and resilient. Our banks have begun
submitting implementation plans for the Banking Sector Recapitalisation Programme in
compliance with the CBN Circular reviewing the minimum capital requirements for
Commercial, Merchant, and Non-Interest Banks (CMNIBs). These plans are currently being
reviewed by the Bank.
In addition to enhancing buffers to withstand economic shocks, this proactive measure by
the CBN to require CMNIBs to recapitalize will result in increased capital for Nigeria’s banks,
enabling them to provide much-needed credit to critical sectors of the economy. This will
increase the financial system’s contribution to the growth and development of a $1 trillion
Nigerian economy.
The CBN would like to reassure all stakeholders of its unwavering commitment to ensuring
the financial system’s stability.
Our financial system remains on a solid footing, and the CBN will continue to take all necessary steps to maintain its safety and soundness.”