Customers of the liquidated Heritage Bank Plc gathered at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos on Wednesday, to seek clarification on the beginning of their deposit payments.
A visit by a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent revealed that security personnel stationed at the bank’s entrance prevented customers from entering the premises.
Addressing the customers through the gate, an official informed them that payments had begun for savings account holders and would continue until Friday.
“You don’t need to take any action. NDIC staff are already processing payments. Your money will be transferred to your other account linked with your BVN,” the official assured.
However, corporate account holders were advised to return “next week,” leading to concerns among some who noted that BVN is typically associated with individual accounts, not companies.
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) announced earlier on Wednesday its plan to begin payment of insured sum to 2.3 million depositors of Heritage Bank in-liquidation within the week.
The announcement came two days after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced the revocation of the bank’s licence.
The atmosphere at bank’s headquarters in Lagos remained sombre on Wednesday as customers declined interviews with NAN.
“Mine is an entrepreneurship account,” one said curtly.
Efforts by a NAN correspondent to gain entrance were thwarted by security personnel, who referred to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s press release dated June 3, announcing the revocation of the bank’s license, as the response to all inquiries.
CBN revoked Heritage Bank Plc’s license on Monday, citing a breach of Section 12 (1) of BOFIA, 2020, and appointed the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) as the liquidator.
NDIC Managing Director, Mr Bello Hassan, disclosed at a news conference in Abuja that 99 per cent of Heritage Bank depositors had total balances less than N5 million.
He assured that payments would start before the end of the week, with insured benefits capped at N5 million.
According to him, those with deposits exceeding N5 million would be paid after sale of the bank’s assets.
He added that payments would begin before the end of the week.
(NAN)
