Banks have commenced implementation of the new Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transaction fee charge on customers following the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) directive.
Our correspondent who monitored some banks’ ATM gallery in Abuja and environs yesterday, reports that some customers were lamenting about the increase, reports NAN.
All the banks’ ATM visited had monies loaded in them.
Mr Luke Abudu, a customer seen at First Bank along Nyanya-Jikwoyi road, said the implementation would only affect the poor masses who were struggling to make a living.
Abudu said the move would discourage customers from lodging monies in the banks.
“I came to withdraw N20,000 but I found out that I was charged N100 for the withdrawal.
This is too much for a small business owner like me,” he said.
Another customer, Mrs Victoria Adejo, seen at Zenith Bank, Mararaba branch said that withdrawal from Point of Sale (PoS) agent was now cheaper than using an ATM.
“It is unfortunate that our government formulates policies without feeling the pulse of the people.
“I read that the CBN said the decision is in response to rising cost and to improve efficiency of ATM services but banks still bill us for service charge,” she said.
Mr Nurudeen Ehimotor, a customer at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Asokoro, said he was at the bank to use the ATM due to the bank’s poor online network.
“I came to use ATM because I tried to transfer money from my bank using USSD since yesterday but it didn’t go through.
“I have an issue with my app, so I have been using USSD codes for my transfer. I think they (the banks) are trying to make people use ATM now for them to make more money,” he said.
Ehimotor appealed to banks to reduce incessant charges on customers’ accounts.
The CBN had on February 10, released a circular to all banks and other financial institutions to apply the fees with effect from March 1.
CBN in the circular entitled: ‘Review of ATM transaction fees,’ said the move was in response to rising cost and the need to improve efficiency of ATM services in the banking industry.
“On-Us (customers withdrawing at the ATM of the customer’s financial institution) in Nigeria, no charge.
“Not-on-Us (withdrawal from another institution’s ATM) in Nigeria; On-site-ATMs: A charge of N100 per N20,000 withdrawal.
“Off-site ATMs: A charge of N100 plus a surcharge of not more than N500 per N20,000 withdrawal.
”The income which is an income of the ATM acquirer/deployer, shall be disclosed at point of withdrawal to the consumer,” it said.
Banks had informed their customers through various electronic mails (e-mails) of the increase.
GTB told its customers in addition to the ATM transaction fee, that the free monthly withdrawals usually enjoyed by them would no longer be applied.
“Please note that the three free monthly withdrawals at other banks’ ATMs (for GTBank customers) and GTBank ATMs (for other bank customers) will no longer apply,” the bank said.
