Just In: CBN Revokes Heritage Bank’s Licence

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it has revoked the operating licence of Heritage Bank. 

The bank’s acting spokesperson Hakama Sidi Ali disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the bank’s board and management have been unable to improve its financial performance.  

“The Central Bank of Nigeria, 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,” the statement said.

 “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 CBN said the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has been appointed as the liquidator of the bank following Section 12 (2) of BOFIA, 2020. It also assured the public that the Nigerian financial system remains strong.