By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
Alarmed by the poor performance of the management of Heritage Bank Plc, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has revoked the licence of the bank with immediate effect.
CBN Ag. Director, Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali announced the development in a statement on Monday.
She explained that the action was 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.
According to her, the action has become necessary due to the bank’s breach of Section 12 (1) of BOFIA, 2020.
She revealed that 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, he noted, follows a period during which the CBN engaged with the bank and prescribed various supervisory steps intended to stem the decline.
Regrettably, Mrs. Sidi Ali said, 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, she said, “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”, she said.
