The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) received 747 complaints involving the sums of N8.09bn and $751,744 (N148.1m) against banks in the country in the first six months of this year.
The figures are contained in the CBN’s financial stability report, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday.
In comparison to the second half of 2014, the CBN report explained that the number of complaints received in the first half of this year represented a decrease of 35 or 4.48 per cent.
The report stated that during the period, a total of 481 cases, which included some outstanding ones from previous periods were, resolved by the central bank.
It stated that in the six-month period, refunds made to customers with respect to these cases were N1.87bn and $963,920.05.
However, the central bank said the number of complaints either resolved or closed in the same period decreased by 23 or 4.56 per cent.
It added that the cumulative claims by complainants in the review period decreased by N7.58bn, or 48.37 per cent when compared with the second half of 2014.
The report stated, “A total of 747 complaints involving the sums of N8.09bn and $751,744.26 were received in the review period.
“Also, during the period, a total of 481 cases, including some outstanding cases from previous periods, were resolved or closed. The refunds effected with respect to these cases amounting to N1.87bn and $963,920.05 were made to customers.
“The value of the cumulative claims by complainants against the banks and other financial institutions amounted to N8.09bn, while the cumulative refunds to complainants totalled N2.38bn, $957,920.00 and £6,000.00.”
A monthly breakdown of the 747 complaints showed that 63 bank customers made complaints to the CBN in January, while February, March and April had 188, 143 and 86 complaints, respectively.
The months of May and June, according to the report, recorded 93 and 174 complaints, respectively.
In terms of monthly resolution of complaints, the report added that 23, 126, 85, 78,79 and 91 were resolved in January, February, March, April, May and June.
On the monthly breakdown of the N8.07bn claimed by the affected bank customers, the report stated that January had N524m, while February and March recorded N1.002bn and N1.54bn respectively.
The sum of N440m was claimed in the month of April, while May and June had N970 and N3.61bn, respectively. – Punch.
