Worried by the growth in foreign currency exposures of banks through their Net Open Position (NOP), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued Prudential Requirements for all Commercial Banks operating in Nigeria.
In a Circular referenced: TED/FEM/PUB/FPC/OOI/OOI issued on January 31, 2024, and signed by the Director, Trade and Exchange, Dr. Hassan Mahmud, and Mrs. Rita Ijeoma Sike for Director, Banking Supervision, the apex bank said, NOP has created an incentive for banks to hold excess long foreign currency positions, which exposes them to foreign exchange and other risks.
CBN noted that to ensure that these risks are well managed and avoid losses that could pose material systemic challenges, the Net Open Position (NOP) limit of the overall foreign currency assets and liabilities taking into cognizance both those on and off-balance sheet should not exceed 20% short or 0% long of shareholders’ funds unimpaired by losses using the Gross Aggregate Method.
It said, “the Banks whose current NOP exceed 20% short and 0% long of their shareholders’ funds unimpaired by losses are required to bring them to prudential limit by February 1, 2024.
“Banks are required to compute their daily and monthly NOP and Foreign currency trading position (FCTP) using the attached templates.
“Banks are also required to have adequate stock of high-quality liquid foreign assets, i.e. cash and government securities in each significant currency to cover their maturing foreign currency obligations. In addition, banks should have in place a foreign exchange contingency funding arrangement with other financial institutions.
“Banks should borrow and lend in the same currency (natural hedging) to avoid currency mismatch associated with foreign currency risk.
“The basis of the interest rate for borrowing should be the same as that of lending, i.e. there should be no mismatch in floating and fixed interest rates, to mitigate basis risk associated with foreign borrowing interest rate risk”, it said.
With respect to Eurobonds, CBN said, “any clause of early redemption should be at the instance of the issuer and approval obtained from the CBN in this regard, even if the bond does not qualify as tier 2 capital.
“All banks are required to adopt adequate treasury and risk management systems to provide oversight of all foreign exchange exposures and ensure accurate reporting on a timely basis.
“Banks are expected to bring all their exposures within the set limits immediately and ensure that all returns submitted to the CBN provide an accurate reflection of their balance sheets.
“Please, note that non-compliance with the NOP limit will result in immediate sanction and/or the suspension from participation in the foreign exchange market”, the Circular read.
