NIBSS directs banks to remove non-deposit financial institutions from fund transfer channels

The Nigeria Interbank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS), says banks in Nigeria have been directed to take down every non-deposit-taking financial institution from their NIP fund transfer channels.

The non-deposit-taking financial institutions include switching companies, payment solution service providers, and super agents. The NIP fund transfer channels include USSD, mobile banking apps, POS, ATMs, plus web and internet platforms.

According to the circular released by NIBSS, “listing non-deposit taking financial institutions such as switching companies (switches). Payment Solution Service Providers (PSSP), and Super Agents (SA) as beneficiary institutions on your NIP funds transfer channels contravenes the CBN Guidelines on Electronic Payment of Salaries, Pensions, Suppliers and Taxes in Nigeria dated February 2014.”

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The circular also clarified that while these financial institutions would be stopped from receiving inflows, they are allowed to process outflows as inflows to banks.

“For clarity, Switches, PSSPs, and SAs may process outward transfers as inflows to Banks but are not to receive inflows as their licenses do not permit holding customers’ funds.”

The enforcement of this policy will warrant that Fintechs without any form of banking license will be taken down from the fund transfer channels of banks.

Essentially, these platforms will be able to facilitate outward transfers to banks, however, they won’t be able to receive fund inflows.

It is expected that the affected Fintechs will seek to acquire banking licenses that will allow them to hold funds.

This policy is expected to have quite an effect on small business owners as they are the major users of these Fintech platforms.

However, it is also expected that these Fintechs would expedite action in obtaining banking licenses to prevent the collapse of their businesses.