The Central Bank of Nigeria has stipulated N5bn minimum capital requirement for the Payment Service Banks in the country.
In a circular to all stakeholders on the guidelines for licensing and regulation of the PSBs, which was released on Thursday, it also gave N500,000 as non-refundable application fee, N2m non-refundable licensing fee, and N1m change of name fee.
In the circular, it stated that the CBN might vary the requirements from time to time.
It stated, “Promoters should note that in compliance with Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, the investment of the share capital deposit shall be subject to availability of investment instruments. Upon the grant of licence or otherwise, the CBN shall refund the sum deposited to the applicant, together with the investment income, if any, after deducting administrative expenses and tax on the income.”
The regulator also said the PSBs were envisioned to facilitate high volume low-value transactions in remittance services, micro-savings and withdrawal services in a secured technology-driven environment to further deepen financial inclusion and help in attaining the policy objective of 20 per cent exclusion rate by 2020.
The CBN said in furtherance of its mandate to promote a sound financial system in Nigeria and the need to enhance access to financial services for low-income earners and unbanked segments of the society, it would continue to be innovative in deepening the financial services sector.