On June 3, 2024, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) took a significant step by revoking the banking license of Heritage Bank Plc. Heritage Bank, founded in the 1970s as Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria, faced regulatory issues, and was sold and rebranded as Heritage Banking Company Limited in 2013. However, its struggles continued in 2019, leading to the recent license revocation.
REASONS FOR REVOCATION
The CBN cited the following reasons for revoking Heritage Bank’s license:
- BREACH OF FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
- Heritage Bank was found to have breached Section 12 (1) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), 2020.
- Section 12 (1) of BOFIA prohibits banks from engaging in activities that could jeopardize the safety and stability of the financial system.
2. POOR FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
- Despite supervisory efforts, the bank’s board and management couldn’t improve its financial performance.
- The continued poor performance posed a threat to the stability of the financial system.
IMPACT ON CUSTOMERS
- The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has been appointed as the liquidator of Heritage Bank.
- NDIC to pay 2.3million depositors of Heritage Bank approximately ₦650billion starting this week. Insured depositors (up to ₦5million) will receive their funds.
- Amounts exceeding the insured limit may be at risk, subject to the liquidation process.
FIRST BANK LOAN REPAYMENT
In a significant development, First Bank successfully recovered the full repayment of a ₦456billion loan that it had extended to Heritage Bank, concluding a seven-year wait since First Bank supported Heritage Bank. This action occurred just before the CBN revoked Heritage Bank’s operating license.
This recovery was part of a “bailout loan” arranged during the tenure of former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele when the CBN pursued a policy of not allowing banks to fail. Thus, the CBN supported Heritage Bank through First Bank, issuing a “Letter of Comfort” to the tier-one bank. This guarantee ensured that First Bank did not have to make significant provisions for the loan.
The repayment process involved direct intervention by the CBN to settle the outstanding loan amount.