Rising from its 327th meeting, the Bankers Committee yesterday disclosed that 60 percent of Nigerians have been captured in the financial inclusion net of the financial services sector of the Nigerian economy.
The Director of Banking Supervision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs Tokunbo Martins, addressing the media in Abuja expressed delight at this feat, adding that by year 2020, it is hoped that at least 80 per cent of the population would have been captured.
She expressed confidence that at the end of this year, at least 8 per cent of the population, that is, 6 million would have been captured.
On the threat by the federal government to sanction banks over moves to sack staff en-mass, Mrs Martins said that the committee has noted the market sentiments that are causing the problem, pointing out that the banks would have to thread with caution as the government would ensure a safe landing in the face of the dwindling fortunes of the banks owing the state of the Nigerian economy.
Speaking the flexible foreign exchange rate, Managing Director of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr Philip Oduoza currency speculators to desist or face the wrath of the law, while calling on the banking public to be patience as the committee would in no time adopt a system being worked out and that the model would be acceptable to all.
On the policy of collateral register, he said a policy statement will be announced soon where banks will be stimulated to the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to make the policy work in ICT, Power and other sectors.
This is a policy where a consumer will register his vehicle or other assets and would be able to use such document to access a loan facility from his/her bank.