No plan to revoke operating licenses of Fidelity Bank, Wema Bank, Polaris Bank and Unity Bank – CBN

Yesterday, the Central Bank of Nigeria announced that Fidelity Bank, Wema Bank, Polaris Bank, and Unity Bank’s operating licences would not be revoked.

In a statement, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, the CBN’s acting director of corporate communications, claimed that there was no truth to the rumours that the banks’ licences were about to be revoked.

She also saw that a circular purporting to be from June 10, 2024, was being disseminated again, informing the public that the Boards of Union, Keystone, and Polaris Banks had been dissolved as of January 10, 2024.

She held dishonest persons accountable for the development meant to incite panic within the system. Sidi Ali assured the banking public that their deposits would be secure.

She emphasised that the defunct Heritage Bank was an isolated case, adding that allegations of further revocation of licences prior to the completion of the bank recapitalisation exercise were mere fabrications of those who didn’t wish the banking sector well.

She added that even customers of Heritage Bank needn’t worry about the safety of their deposits, adding that the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) had commenced payment of the bank’s insured deposits.

Mrs. Sidi Ali, therefore, urged the public to continue their regular banking activities without concern, dismissing any false reports regarding the health of specific Deposit Money Banks.

She confirmed that the CBN, with its robust regulatory framework, was proactively ensuring the stability of Nigeria’s financial system, thereby guaranteeing the safety of depositors’ funds in all Nigerian financial institutions.

While reiterating the assurances of the Governor (Olayemi Cardoso) that the recapitalisation of banks in Nigeria was intended to bolster the banking system and safeguard the sector against risks, Sidi Ali urged all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring the success of the process, which she noted would be for the overall growth of the Nigerian economy.

She said: “Without prejudice to the ongoing recapitalisation process, I want to restate that the Nigerian banking industry remains resilient. Key financial soundness indicators remain within current regulatory thresholds.

“Customers are, therefore, encouraged to proceed with their transactions as usual, as the CBN is committed to ensuring the safety of the banking system.”