Customers of the defunct Heritage Bank converged at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos to seek information regarding the commencement of their deposit repayments.
Our correspondent observed that security personnel barred customers entry into the building.
Customers however expressed frustration while they largely refused interviews with newsmen.
Attempt to enter was also blocked by a security, who referred to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s June 3rd announcement.
Recall that 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.
An official addressing the crowd from the gate announced that payments had started for savings account holders and would proceed until Friday.
He said “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,”
However, corporate account holders were told to return next week, raising concerns since BVN typically applies to individual, not corporate, accounts.
NDIC Managing Director, Mr. Bello Hassan, noted in an Abuja conference that “99 percent of Heritage Bank depositors had total balances less than N5 million.”
He gave assurance to the customers that “payments would start before the end of the week, with insured benefits capped at N5 million.”
He added that, Depositors with more than N5 million would receive the remaining balance after the bank’s assets are sold.