It appears that the apex bank will not be smiling at any bank which defaults in any her set statutory standards or policies.
The apex bank ondicated over the weekend that it has revoked the operating banking licence of Heritage bank plc in a statement signed by Hakama Sidi Ali (Mrs.) Ag. Director, Corporate Communications.
According to her circular, “CBN in accordance with its mandate to promote a sound financial system in Nigeria and in exercise of its powers under Section 12 of the Banks and Other Financial Act (BOFIA) 2020, hereby revokes the licence of Heritage Bank Plc with immediate effect. This action has become necessary due to the bank’s breach of Section 12 (1) of BOFIA, 2020. The Board and Management of the bank have not been able to improve the bank’s financial performance, a situation which constitutes a threat to financial stability.
“This follows a period during which the CBN engaged with the bank and prescribed various supervisory steps intended to stem the decline. Regrettably, the bank has continued to suffer and has no reasonable prospects of recovery, thereby making the revocation of the license the next necessary step. Consequently, the CBN has taken this action to strengthen public confidence in the banking system and ensure that the soundness of our financial system is not impaired.
“The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) is hereby appointed as the Liquidator of the bank in accordance with Section 12 (2) of BOFIA, 2020. We wish to assure the public that the Nigerian financial system remains on a solid footing. The action we are taking today reflects our continued commitment to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and soundness of our financial system”.
An official of the NDIC has indicated that action has commenced on the CBN directive. This development has added to the existing distress management burden of the NDIC which is still battling with the backlog of such functions which it inherited over 25 years ago.
