CBN Revokes 132 Microfinance Banks’ Licences

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has withdrawn the operational licences of 132 microfinance banks, four primary mortgage banks, and three financing firms in the country.

It was reported in the Federal Government’s official gazette, which was published on the CBN’s website on Tuesday.

According to the apex bank, the financial institutions “failed to fulfil or comply with the conditions subject to which their licences were granted, or failed to comply with the obligations imposed upon them by the Central Bank of Nigeria in accordance with the provisions of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020, Act No. 5.”

The four primary mortgage banks whose licences were revoked are Resort Savings & Loans, Safetrust Mortgage Bank, Adamawa Savings & Loans and Kogi Savings & Loans. The finance companies whose licences were revoked include HHL Invest & Trust Limited, TFS Finance Limited and Treasures & Trust Limited.

Some of the microfinance banks listed include Bluewhales Microfinance Bank, Igangan Microfinance Bank, Mainsail Microfinance Bank, Everest Microfinance Bank, Merit Microfinance Bank, Musharaka Microfinance Bank, Nopov Microfinance Bank, among others.

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, said the licences were revoked in the exercise of the powers conferred on the apex bank under Section 12 of BOFIA 2020, Act No. 5.