CBN to Publish New List of Bank Debtors

In an effort to forestall another build up of non-performing loans (NPLs) in the banking industry, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and deposit money banks (DMBs) in the country yesterday disclosed plans to publish the names of new bank debtors.

In addition, the central bank said it might be compelled to stop such loan defaulters from accessing FOREIGN EXCHANGE through the interbank FOREIGN EXCHANGE market.

The Director, Banking Supervision, CBN, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins, who disclosed this while briefing journalists at the end of the 321st Bankers' Committee meeting in Lagos, said the names of those she described as “chronic debtors” would be published alongside the companies they represent, their directors, subsidiaries and other associates.

Martins who declined to give a specific date or period when the names would be published as well as the total amount owed by the debtors, said banks are currently compiling the names.

She said that the decision was aimed at preventing another banking crisis.
The central bank director explained: “The CBN has managed to keep the banking industry safe and sound in collaboration with all members of the Bankers’ Committee.

“But some data shows that it is increasingly becoming difficult for some debtors to pay up their loans. So it was decided that going forward, one thing that we may do is to stop them from getting access to foreign exchange.

“Another thing that we also considered going forward is to publish the names of the borrowers that refuse to pay up. This is to ensure the continuous safety and soundness of the banking industry.

“It is not all debtors, it is the bad and chronic debtors, those ones that have deliberately refused to pay, those are the ones we are talking about.”
Martins, who put the current banking industry’s NPLs at 3.3 per cent, maintained that the central bank wants to ensure that the figure does not exceed the five per cent limit.

“Total loans in the industry are in the region of N13 trillion. Right now, we have not reached the upper limit of five per cent on NPLs, but we don't want to get there. That was why we decided that we need to come out with this measure.
“It is not only the names of the bad debtors, the directors, the subsidiaries and every member of the board that would have their names published,” she added.

Responding to a question on what would happen if a debtor or his firm decides to source FOR FOREX from other market sources, the central bank director said: “There is no way we can stop the bank debtors from purchasing forex at the parallel market, but that will come to them at a cost because it is more expensive there. What we are more concerned with is the official market.

“You recall how much was spent by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to clear up toxic loans and so we just want to make sure we are proactive and that we don't go back to a situation like that.

“There was a time we had NPLs at 2.5 per cent and 3 per cent, 3.3 per cent and so it is important that we take action now and not wait till it is too late.” 

Source - Thisday