The bankers committee, comprising the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Chief Executives Officers of Commercial Banks has expressed concern over the reluctance of bank customers towards applying for Bank Verification Number (BVN).
Rising from its 321st Bankers Committee Meeting last week, the committee agreed that it is critical that clients and account holders continue to proactively get their BVN from the banks.
Managing Director/Chief Executive, Citibank, Omar Hafeez, noted that the challenges associated with the enrolment of the Bank Verification Number was being tackled by the apex bank, while enjoining customers to key into the scheme as the benefits are enormous.
His words:”The BVN was discussed. It is critical that clients and account holders continue to proactively get their BVN from the banks because it will be difficult for them to access credits if they don’t do that.
“We advise all account holders to focus on coming to the banks and register. Banks would do enlightenment campaigns on BVN because we are very keen that every bank customer has a BVN.”
Also, Managing Director and Chief Executive of Standard Chartered Bank, Bola Adesola, said the committee further discussed how to encourage borrowers to approach appropriate institutions for the micro, small, and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) fund.
She said 20 per cent of MSME funds had been disbursed so far.
“Currently we have close to 20 per cent disbursed. To increase that figure, we have put in a lot of measures and capacity building as well as market awareness,” stated.
Source : Tribune