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NDIC Fixes April as Time Uninsured Depositors of Heritage Bank will Receive Liquidation Dividends

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Depositors of Heritage Bank (in-liquidation) with balances exceeding the insured sum of ₦5 million will be paid from the sale of physical assets and debt recovery efforts soon, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) announced on Sunday.

With substantial progress recorded in asset realization, the first tranche of liquidation dividends will be paid to uninsured depositors in April 2025 on a pro-rata basis, in line with Section 72 of the NDIC Act 2023, which prioritizes claims.

The clarification follows concerns raised by depositors regarding the status of their uninsured funds.

A statement issued by the NDIC’s Acting Head of Communication & Public Affairs, Hawwau Gambo, reiterated the Corporation’s commitment to ensuring timely payments.

Following the revocation of Heritage Bank’s banking license by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on June 3, 2024, the NDIC was appointed as the liquidator in accordance with Section 12(2) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 and Section 55(1 & 2) of the NDIC Act 2023.

In line with its statutory mandate, the Corporation immediately commenced the bank’s liquidation process, including the verification and payment of insured deposits.

Providing an update on the ₦5 million maximum payout per depositor, the NDIC noted significant progress while acknowledging some challenges affecting certain depositors, including issues related to Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), Post No Debit (PND) restrictions, and Know Your Customer (KYC) limitations.

“Significant progress has been made in reimbursing insured deposits up to the ₦5 million limit per depositor.

“However, depositors yet to receive payments are largely those without Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) or alternate accounts in other banks, which are required to process payments through the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS). Others have Post No Debit (PND) restrictions on their accounts.

“Additionally, some accounts have KYC limitations, such as Tier 1 accounts that restrict maximum lodgment of funds, while others have name mismatches requiring resolution.

“Some depositors who have already been paid may also be unaware due to a lack of mobile transaction alerts on their alternate accounts where the NDIC deposited their insured funds.

“Therefore, depositors are advised to check their alternate bank accounts, as some payments may have been processed without their immediate awareness,” the statement read.

Regarding payments to uninsured depositors, the Corporation explained:

“While depositors with balances above ₦5 million have received their insured sums, the remaining amounts will be paid as liquidation dividends, in accordance with the Corporation’s statutory mandate.

“The NDIC has made substantial progress in selling the bank’s physical assets and recovering debts to ensure that depositors with balances above the insured limit receive their payments as soon as possible.

As a demonstration of this commitment, the Corporation began realizing physical assets and investments while aggressively recovering outstanding risk assets, alongside verifying and paying insured sums.

“To ensure transparency and compliance with legal requirements, the NDIC has widely advertised the asset disposal process on its official website, social media platforms, major national newspapers, and through radio and television announcements.”

The NDIC emphasized that its simultaneous approach of paying insured depositors while aggressively pursuing asset sales and debt recovery is designed to accelerate the liquidation process and ensure that all depositors receive their funds without unnecessary delays.

“With the significant progress recorded in asset realization, the Corporation will declare the first tranche of liquidation dividends in April 2025, to be paid to uninsured depositors on a pro-rata basis, in line with Section 72 of the NDIC Act 2023, which governs the priority of claims.”

For clarity, the referenced section states: “Where an insured institution is unable to meet its obligations or suspends payment, or where its management and control have been taken over by the Central Bank of Nigeria following the revocation of its license, the assets of the insured institution shall be available to meet its deposit liabilities. Such deposit liabilities shall have priority over all other liabilities of the insured institution.”

Consequently, other claimants of the failed Heritage Bank, including creditors and shareholders, will only be considered for liquidation dividend payments after all depositors have been fully reimbursed, the NDIC added.


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E-Financial

FCMB Partners Truecaller to Reinforce Customer Communication, Trust

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First City Monument Bank (FCMB), one of Nigeria’s leading and most innovative customer-centric financial institutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Truecaller, the global platform for trusted communication, to transform the way it engages with customers across the country.

This collaboration is aimed at enhancing customer trust, reducing fraud, and ensuring that communication between FCMB and its customers is both safe, trusted, and seamless. With this partnership, FCMB will leverage Truecaller’s Customer Experience Solution and Branded Caller ID to ensure their customers receive transaction alerts, security notifications, and service updates with complete clarity and trust.

All FCMB calls will now display the bank’s verified name, logo, and brand details directly on customers’ mobile screens. This initiative reinforces FCMB’s strong commitment to digital safety, privacy, and customer trust. In today’s financial landscape, where impersonation and fraud are becoming increasingly sophisticated, Truecaller’s Customer Experience Solution is more than just a convenience — it is a vital safeguard for protecting customer relationships and enhancing confidence in every interaction.

In addition to smarter calling experience, FCMB has also activated its Business Page on the Truecaller app. This ensures that customers can independently discover, recognize, and engage with FCMB directly within the Truecaller app, reinforcing trust before the first point of contact is even made.

Together, these capabilities are helping FCMB strengthen its digital identity, reduce customer drop-offs, and improve the overall efficiency and credibility of its outbound communication efforts. Assured Authenticity: Customers can now instantly identify that calls from FCMB are genuine – reducing the risk of phishing or impersonation scams.

Enhanced Experience: Verified Business Caller ID brings clarity and eliminates uncertainty, particularly during critical communications such as security alerts or service updates.

Reinforced Trust: By adopting industry-leading communication capabilities, FCMB reaffirms its promise to protect customers with care, transparency, and innovation. Chief Information Officer at FCMB, Rotimi Famuwagun said: “At FCMB, our customers are at the heart of every innovation.

Through our partnership with Truecaller, we are strengthening communication security and fostering greater trust. When customers see the verified FCMB name along with our brand identity on incoming calls, they can be assured of transparency, authenticity, and care behind every interaction.’’

Priyam Bose, Global Head, GTM & Developer Products at Truecaller, shared: “At Truecaller, our goal is to help brands build meaningful, secure, and transparent communication at scale — especially in sectors like financial services where trust is everything.

“FCMB’s commitment to customer safety and trusted communication by embracing Truecaller Customer Experience Solution, FCMB is setting a new bar for what responsible, modern customer communication should look like — and we’re excited to support them on this journey.


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Don’t Spray, Mutilate Naira – CBN

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Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)  has warned Nigerians, especially market women, against spraying, hawking and mutilating of the naira, the nation’s national currency.

Don’t Spray, Mutilate Naira - CBN

Olayemi Cardoso, governor, CBN, who was represented by Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, acting director, Corporate Communications Department, CBN, spoke at the Central Bank Fair, held in Kaduna on Thursday.

He said the Fair was designed as a platform to interact with members of the public on the policies of the CBN for sustainable economic growth and development of the country.

The Fair was themed “Driving Alternative Payment Channels as Tools for Financial Inclusion, Growth and Accelerated Economic Development”.

The CBN boss said the theme was carefully chosen to address the links that catalyse Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and other critical activities for the much-needed price stability.

“I urge everyone here to rely only on information disseminated through the verifiable official channels of the Central Bank of Nigeria. I also encourage you to respect and keep the naira clean. Do not spray, hawk, mutilate or counterfeit the naira. It is our critical national symbol.

“The core objective of this engagement, therefore, is to sensitise members of the public on how the Bank’s policies enhance their lives and livelihood and contribute to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy.

“Our dedicated team is on hand to take us through presentations on different operations of the Bank, ranging from the recent innovations in the Nigerian payments system; microfinance sub-sector activities; developments in the foreign exchange market, protection of financial consumers and all you need to know about the naira.

“The Management of the Bank is committed to stimulating productivity and financial inclusiveness, as well as delivering on its core mandate of monetary and price stability.

“These efforts have already started yielding positive results, which include increases of inflows of foreign investments, positive trade balances and remarkable progress in financial inclusion.

“The CBN has spearheaded several key policies to strengthen the financial system which includes exchange rate unification; to minimise arbitrage opportunities and reduce volatility in the foreign exchange market and cleared over $7bn verified backlog of FX forwards.

“It also include Bank Recapitalisation; to strengthen the resilience and global competitiveness of the banking sector, positioning it to support the $1 trillion economy, launched the non-resident BVN to connect Nigerians abroad with home banking, unveiled the Nigeria Payments System Vision 2028 (PSV 2028); to accelerate digital transformation, deepen financial inclusion, and position Nigeria more strongly in global payments.

“To further protect banks’ customers and strengthen consumer confidence, the CBN launched the Unified Complaints Tracking System (UCTS) to streamline the management of consumer complaints against financial institutions. Alongside this, USSD code (*959#) was also introduced for verifying licensed institutions, and enhancing transparency in the Nigerian financial sector,” Governor Cardoso said.

Speaking earlier, Ahmad Dalhatu, Kaduna branch Controller of CBN, reaffirmed that the CBN Fair is one of the Bank’s major public enlightenment initiatives aimed at sensitising members of the public on the Bank’s policies, programmes, and interventions.

“It serves as a platform to deepen financial literacy, promote transparency, and strengthen trust between the Bank and the Nigerian people.

“Over the years, the Fair has evolved into a veritable channel for fostering two-way communication between the Central Bank and the Nigerian public. It enables us not only to explain our policies but also to listen to your concerns, feedback, and expectations. This year’s event continues in that tradition, and I encourage everyone here to actively participate in the discussions.

“As we navigate the evolving economic landscape—both globally and locally—the need for increased public awareness of monetary policy, financial inclusion, consumer protection, digital payments, and intervention programmes cannot be overemphasised. The CBN remains committed to ensuring a sound financial system and an inclusive economy where every Nigerian can thrive,” Dalhatu said.


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E-Financial

Fidelity Bank Extends GAIM 6 Promo, Boosts Total Cash Rewards to ₦189m

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L-R: Direct Sales Executive, Fidelity Bank Plc, Adegboyega Ademokunwa; GAIM 6 Eight Monthly draw Winner, Innocent Okoro Orji; Branch Leader, Fidelity Bank Plc, Gbagada, Chinwe Umez-Eronini; and Product Manager, Savings, Fidelity Bank Plc, at the GAIM 6 prize presentation ceremony held at Gbagada Building Materials market in Lagos recently.
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Fidelity Bank has announced a three-month extension of its Get Alert in Millions (GAIM) Season 6 promo, now running until November 30, 2025, with total cash rewards increased from ₦159 million to ₦189 million.

L-R: Direct Sales Executive, Fidelity Bank Plc, Adegboyega Ademokunwa; GAIM 6 Eight Monthly draw Winner, Innocent Okoro Orji; Branch Leader, Fidelity Bank Plc, Gbagada, Chinwe Umez-Eronini; and Product Manager, Savings, Fidelity Bank Plc, at the GAIM 6 prize presentation ceremony held at Gbagada Building Materials market in Lagos recently.

This move follows strong customer demand for more participation time and has received full regulatory approval.

Originally launched in November 2024 for nine months, the GAIM 6 campaign was set to end in August 2025. However, based on customer feedback, the bank extended the promo to allow more Nigerians to benefit.

Recently, the bank celebrated 20 winners nationwide, each receiving ₦1 million through electronically supervised draws overseen by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to ensure fairness.

With over ₦30 million still up for grabs in upcoming monthly draws, the final prizes include ₦2 million for second runner-up, ₦5 million for first runner-up, and a ₦10 million grand prize. Recipients also gain access to financial advisory support at the Fidelity SME Hub to help maximize their rewards.

Fidelity Bank serves over 9.1 million customers through digital channels and 255 branches, earning various awards for innovation, digital transformation, and SME banking excellence.

The bank continues to promote savings culture and financial empowerment across Nigeria through initiatives like GAIM.


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