CBN raises capital requirements for microfinance banks

The Central Bank of Nigeria has increased the capital requirements for microfinance banks in the country in a bid to tackle the challenge of inadequate capital base in the sub-sector. The CBN announced the upward review of the minimum capital requirement in a circular dated October 22, 2018 to all microfinance banks in the country. The minimum capital requirement for unit and state microfinance banks was raised by 900 per cent each to N200m and N1bn, respectively from N20m and N100m, while that of national microfinance banks increased by 150 per cent to N5bn from N2bn.According to the circular, the new minimum capital requirement takes immediate effect for new applications, while existing microfinance banks shall be required to fully comply with effect from April 1, 2020. Read More: