BY PETER EGWUATU

Barely over two months after the Bankers’ Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) approved the immediate removal of N100 charge on customers who use the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) of banks other than theirs, most banks are still surcharging customers, thus defeating the objectives of cashless economy initiated by the apex bank.

The CBN had in November 2011 rolled out new guidelines for the deployment of offsite ATMs by banks and Independent ATM Deployers (IAD), giving banks and other ATM deployers the authority to charge customers a maximum of N100 per transaction on their ATMs.

According to the circular by the CBN to all banks, IADs, Cash-in-Transit companies and Switches, the guidelines was in line with its cashless policy objectives and in view of the critical role ATM deployment and availability play in ensuring the success of the policy.

However, the Bankers’ Committee of the CBN had on Tuesday, November 13, 2012, approved the immediate removal of the N100 charge on customers who use the Automated Teller Machines of banks other than theirs.

Investigation by Vanguard revealed that some banks, especially the first generation banks are still charging N100 fee for the use of their ATMs by other customers.

It was gathered that some of the banks have not reprogrammed some of their ATMs since the announcement to remove N100 charge was made by the CBN.

According to impeccable sources close to some of the banks, “Yes, it was agreed that there will be no charge for the use of ATM, but the modality for complete removal has not been collectively agreed but some of the banks on their own had started to implement it.”

A customer who does not want his name mentioned, said, “I went to two banks ATMs (name withheld) to withdraw money and immediately I got alert debiting my account to the tune of N100.  So, you can see that many of these banks are ripping off their customers through these sundry charges. At my bank, I paid for ATM card and for every N20,000 withdrawal I make with the card, the bank charges N100. Even when the CBN told banks to stop deducting N100 for ATM withdrawal, they are still doing it.”

Other customers who complained to Vanguard on the same issue said that the CBN should sanction banks that do not comply with the directive, saying, “This will make them take appropriate steps to reprogramme all the ATMs.

The Managing Director of First Bank, Bisi Onasanya  had told newsmen at the end of the Bankers’ Committee meeting in Abuja that the decision was in line with “popular trends” in other parts of the world.

According to him, “Presently, when you use the ATM of a bank other than your bank, there is a charge of N100 which is borne by the account holder. We have decided that we will work out the modality and ensure that with immediate effect, we would pass on this cost to the respective banks which bear the cost of providing services. No matter where you are withdrawing your money from, you will not be subjected to any charge for using the ATM.”

According to him, the new policy does not cover withdrawals inside the banking hall when the ATMs are off. “But for transaction on what we call “not on us”, when you are an FBN customer and you use the ATM of a GTB bank, it is free and it will no longer bear any cost.”

Mr. Onasanya said the free inter-bank ATM regime would become effective immediately, pointing out, however, that the banks would have to agree on the modalities for the implementation of the new decision.

Similarly, the Governor of CBN and Chairman of the Bankers’ Committee, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi had also disclosed to journalists at the end of the fourth annual Bankers’ Committee retreat held in Calabar, Cross River State of unanimous decision by banks to stop the N100 charge. The CBN governor said the delay in implementing the policy was to allow banks configure their information technology infrastructure for the effective implementation of the policy.

“We have agreed on a final date of Monday, 17 December, 2012 for the kick-off when every bank will remove the charges. We allowed some time for banks that have not configured their IT to do so and stop charging and hopefully by 17th of December, you are not going to have any customer pay additional charges,” he said.