CBN Orders Banks to Send Funds in Dormant Accounts, Unclaimed Balances to Apex Bank

CBN has directed banks to send funds in dormant accounts, and unclaimed balances to the apex bank.

Newsone Nigeria reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has issued revised guidelines on the management of dormant accounts, unclaimed balances, and other financial assets in banks and other financial institutions in Nigeria to banks and other financial institutions for implementation.

The CBN said this is a sequel to the conclusion of the review of the Guidelines on the Management of Dormant Accounts and Other Unclaimed Funds by Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria issued in October 2015.

This online news platform understands that the directive by the apex bank to commercial banks was disclosed in a statement issued by John Onojah, the Ag. Director, Financial Policy & Regulation Department on Friday, July 19, 2024.

In the circular tagged ‘guidelines on the management of dormant accounts, unclaimed balances, and other financial assets in banks and other financial institution’, the CBN explained that “Information to be published shall include the name of the account owner and address of the branch.

The statement reads thus; “The CBN hereby issues the revised guidelines on the management of dormant accounts, unclaimed balances, and other financial assets in banks and other financial institutions in Nigeria to banks and other financial institutions for implementation.

“This is sequel to the conclusion of the review of the Guidelines on the Management of Dormant Accounts and Other Unclaimed Funds by Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria issued in October 2015.

“The revised Guidelines, which operationalises Section 72 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020, followed engagement and consultations with relevant stakeholders, whose comments and recommendations were considered in the review process. It, amongst others, standardises the management of dormant accounts, unclaimed balances, and financial assets, and outlines the procedure for the administration of these balances, funds, and assets by banks and other financial institutions in Nigeria.

“The modalities for the transfer of the relevant balances/funds/ assets to the CBN, together with the revised templates for the rendition of quarterly returns to Banking Supervision Department or Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department (as the case may be) will be communicated subsequently.

“This Guidelines supersedes the Guidelines on the Management of Dormant Accounts and Other Unclaimed Funds by Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria, issued in October 2015 and takes effect immediately,” the statement added.