Old Notes: ATMs and Other Ways to Swap Your Naira Notes Before January 31

Old Notes: ATMs and Other Ways to Swap Your Naira Notes Before January 31

  • Many Nigerian are still stuck with the old naira notes and do not know how to get rid of them
  • As a result, banks have set up alternative touchpoints for customers to swap old naira notes
  • Touch points like ATMs, PoS operators and Fastrack mechanisms by banks, are available for cash swap

PAY ATTENTION: See you at Legit.ng Media Literacy Webinar! Register for free now!

Nigerian banks have reported a shortage of new naira notes despite the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reporting that it has a surplus of the new notes in its vaults.

The CBN, during its many sensitisation outings across the nation, has stated that it is pleading with commercial banks to come for the new notes ahead of its January 31, 2023 deadline.

Naira notes, new notes, CBN, PoS operators
Banks release available touchpoints for old naira notes Credit: YakobchukOlena
Source: Getty Images

CBN's many measures to rid Nigeria of notes

The apex bank vowed to penalise banks that continue to issue old naira notes or dispense the same through their ATMs.

Read also

New naira notes: CBN to sanction Nigerian bank for diverting N4million

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

It also asked Nigerians to reject old naira notes from the banks and imposed an N1 million naira daily fine on commercial banks which continue to dispense old naira notes from their ATMs.

Despite these series of threats and measures by the CBN, findings show that many banks in Nigeria are still dispensing old naira notes via ATMs, thereby making Nigerians stuck with the old naira notes just a few days before the deadline.

Consequently, there are a number of steps to take to get rid of your old naira notes before the deadline.

Deposit old naira notes via ATMs

Some banks have issued alternative channels for customers to deposit their old naira notes.

These banks have ATMs that accept deposits. Some ATMs are specifically designed to take in banknotes apart from their primary functions of dispensing them.

Read also

CBN Reveals Next Line of Action for Old Naira Notes After Feb 10 Deadline, Makes Promises

Instead of queuing for a long time in banking halls or bulk rooms, bank customers can use some of these touchpoints to return their old naira notes.

PoS operators

Every nook and cranny in Nigeria is replete with Point of Sale, otherwise known as PoS, operators.

In times like these PoS operators come in handy, particularly in rural areas with limited banking activities.

The CBN has said it will introduce cash swaps for those in rural areas to enable them to get rid of their old naira notes.

Most of the PoS operators have longstanding relationships with the banks as most of them are registered agents of the banks.

Bank customers who cannot easily access banking operations can take old naira notes to the PoS operators for deposit.

Cash deposit Fastrack

Many banks have introduced cash deposit Fast-track mechanisms to accelerate cash deposits for their customers.

Some customers are not aware of this touchpoint from the banks, but banks like GTCo and others, have this mechanism to enable customers Fastrack their cash deposits.

Read also

Banks to Stop Payment of Old Naira Notes Over the Counter, Customers to Get Lower Denominations

These banks have special tellers dedicated to fast-tracking cash deposits. When in the banking hall, you can ask them to show you their fast-track areas.

At the moment, CBN has mounted a countdown clock on its website reminding Nigerians of its resolve to end the circulation of the old naira notes on January 31, 2023. The bank has also sent messages to customers urging them not to wait until January 31, before depositing their old naira notes.

Using the aforementioned touchpoints you might just be a hair's breadth away from swapping your old naira notes for new notes.

CBN speaks on why It stopped over-the-counter withdrawal of new naira notes

Legit.ng reported that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed reasons it stopped banks from issuing the new naira notes from across the counter.

The bank’s director of the Legal Services Department, Kofo Salam-Alada said the CBN will be tough on banks that continue to fill their ATM machines with old naira notes as January 31, 2023 approaches.

According to the CBN, it has already started monitoring banks still dispensing old naira notes via their ATMs.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Pascal Oparada avatar

Pascal Oparada (Business editor) For over a decade, Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment, and the economy. He has worked in many media organizations such as Daily Independent, TheNiche newspaper, and the Nigerian Xpress. He is a 2018 PwC Media Excellence Award winner. Email:pascal.oparada@corp.legit.ng