Ebun Francis| The Central Bank of Nigeria on Friday warned Banks against paying recipients of diaspora remittances in local currency.
In a circular to International Money Transfer Operators and Payment Service Providers titled, ‘Receipt of diaspora remittances, the apex Bank warned that violators of its guidelines on remittances risk losing their operational licences.
“Following the recent policy pronouncement on amendment to procedures for receipt of diaspora remittances, the CBN notes material compliance by majority of market participants as beneficiaries of remittances through IMTOs now receive foreign currency through their designated banks”, the circular read.
“However and regrettably, a few operators continue to pay remittances in local currency contrary to regulatory directive. The CBN frowns at this practice.”
Due to this, the CBN provided additional operational guidelines which are that “switches and processors should immediately cease all local currency transfers in respect of foreign remittances through IMTOs.”
“All MMOs are required to immediately disable wallets from receipts of funds from IMTOs.
“Payment service providers are directed to cease integrating their systems with IMTOs going forward and must prevent comingling of remittances with other legitimate transactions.
“All IMTOs are required to immediately disclose to beneficiaries that they exercise discretion to receive transfer in foreign currency cash or directly into their domiciliary accounts.”
“All licensed institutions are required to comply with the foregoing guidelines as contraventions will attract stiff regulatory sanction including revocation of licence,” the circular stated.
According to the apex bank, a central reporting portal for all foreign remittances to be managed by the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System was currently under development to improve visibility of foreign remittance flows.
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