E-Financial
Bank Account without BVN to Attract 2m Fine- CBN

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in a bid to promote financial system stability, has declared that financial institutions and customers that violate the framework of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) would face sanctions.

Some of the penalties listed for financial institutions having a customer operating an account without BVN will be N2,000,000 per infraction/customer, 15 per cent of the total amount credited into the account during the period infraction exists and N20,000 penalty per infraction/customer per day after the infraction exists.
This was made clear in a circular issued by the CBN to all deposit money banks (DMBs), mobile money operators, super agents, and payment service providers, on the issuance of the revised regulatory framework for BVN operations and watch-list for the Nigeria banking industry.
This framework defines the operations of BVN as well as the establishment and operations of a watch-list for the Nigerian banking industry, to address the increasing incidence of frauds and to enhance public confidence in the banking industry.
The CBN noted that “the following infractions by participants shall attract appropriate penalties.”
According to the apex bank, this includes misuse of the BVN watch-listing process for victimization, improper linking of accounts or wallets (except Tier 1); and other infractions, as may be determined by the CBN.
The central bank said it would ensure all operated accounts or wallets, including the ones open through agents (except Tier 1), are linked with the signatories’ BVNs within 24 hours of NIBSS making BVN available.
The bank added that operators must enrol all mobile money wallets (except Tier 1) subscribers on the BVN database and link their wallets (except Tier 1) with their BVNs within 180 days of the issuance of this framework.
“Ensure that BVN details of all signatories, directors and beneficial owners are linked to their respective non-individual accounts/wallets (except Tier 1),” a part of the disclosure said.
The apex bank also stated that it is mandatory for non-resident non-Nigerian directors of corporate accounts to have a BVN.
Also, the failure to capture customers’ biometrics and biodata in line with the BVN Framework comes with N2,000,000 penalty.
As per infraction or customer, the failure to report customers’ BVN for watch-listing attracts N200,000 penalty per infraction or customer.
Furthermore, the failure to correctly report the BVN of a deceased customer will attract a N100,000 penalty per infraction or customer, while failure to follow due process in confirming and designating a customer as deceased will result in a N20,000 penalty per customer per day after the infraction exists.
E-Financial
Kuda Microfinance Bank Releases ‘My Year on Kuda’ 2025 Financial Recap

Kuda Microfinance Bank has unveiled the 2025 edition of “My Year on Kuda,” its annual recap providing customers with personalised insights into their spending, saving, and money management habits from the previous year.

Kuda Microfinance Bank
The tool analyses transaction data across categories like transfers, card payments, online purchases, and bills, revealing patterns such as highest-spending months, biggest payments, saving frequency, and savings from Kuda’s 25 free monthly transfers. Customers can compare 2025 activity against 2024, including income versus expenditure.
In an era of inflation and economic uncertainty, the recap promotes financial literacy by highlighting responsible borrowing via Kuda Overdraft usage, including access frequency, amounts borrowed, and repayment patterns.
Customer-shared screenshots on X reflect national trends: Nigeria recorded over 2.2 billion electronic transactions worth ₦285 trillion in Q1 2025, up 20 percent year-on-year, with POS terminals driving the shift to cashless commerce.
Kuda Group CEO Babs Ogundeyi, in the recap’s opening video, urged users: “Before you carry on with January, this is the perfect time to see everything you did with your money on Kuda last year and learn something.”
The feature underscores Kuda’s focus on actionable insights to help Nigerians navigate evolving personal finance amid shifting earning and spending behaviours.
E-Financial
Wema Bank Launches SAW AI Voice Assistant for Seamless Banking on ALAT 2.0

Wema Bank has introduced SAW, a new AI voice assistant integrated into the ALAT 2.0 app, allowing customers to manage finances through natural voice commands similar to Siri, Bixby, or Alexa.

Wema Bank
SAW understands everyday language and delivers instant responses tailored to banking needs, such as checking account balances, transferring money, reviewing transactions, and accessing support.
This feature brings conversational banking to Nigerian users, eliminating complexity and enhancing accessibility.
The bank positions SAW as a pioneer in AI-powered financial services, aligning with global trends where millions interact daily with voice assistants for tasks like setting reminders or playing music.
ALAT 2.0 represents the next evolution in digital banking, making services more efficient, personal, and human-like for everyday Nigerians.
E-Financial
Ecobank Offsets Repayment of $300m Eurobond Notes

Ecobank Nigeria Limited has fully repaid bondholders who validly tendered their notes ahead of the February 2026 maturity date.

The bank announced the successful completion of its tender offer, under which it prepaid approximately $245 million of its $300 million Eurobond, representing more than 80 per cent of the total issuance.
According to a statement, the transaction relates to the 7.125 per cent Senior Note Participation Notes due February 2026.
Ecobank Nigeria Limited said it launched a tender offer to eligible noteholders in respect of the outstanding $150 million on the bond on November 27, 2025, providing them with an opportunity to redeem their holdings ahead of the original maturity date of 16 February 2026.
It stated that the early and late tender participation deadlines were 11 December 2025 and 29 December 2025, respectively.
According to the bank, holders of notes validly tendered and accepted received a cash consideration of $1,000 per $1,000 in principal amount, in addition to accrued interest from the last interest payment date up to, but excluding, the final settlement date of 31 December 2025.
Following completion of the offer, the bank said the outstanding principal amount of the notes has been reduced to approximately $55.092 million.
The bank also stated that the initiative reflects Ecobank Nigeria’s proactive approach to liability management and prudent balance sheet optimisation.
The tender offer was conducted with Renaissance Capital Africa (Renaissance Securities Nigeria Limited) acting as financial adviser and dealer manager, while Sodali & Co Limited served as tender agent.
The notes were originally issued by EBN Finance Company B.V., with limited recourse to the issuer, for the sole purpose of financing the purchase of the $300 million 7.125 per cent Senior Note due 2026 issued by Ecobank Nigeria Limited.
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