CBN warns banks against circulation of composed banknotes

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) against the practice of circulating mutilated banknotes which is part of their deposits with the apex bank.

The CBN has expressed concerns over the increasing number of these composed banknotes which the members of the public usually request for their replacement.

Composed banknotes are mutilated currency notes that comprise of several parts of different banknotes of the same denomination. The parts of such currency notes are usually put together with the intention of receiving value

The warning by the CBN is contained in a circular titled, ‘Treatment of Composed Banknotes’, issued to all deposit money banks on March 31, 2022, and signed by the apex bank’s Director, Currency Operations Department, and can be seen on its website.

The circular said that the existence of such banknotes in the economy falsifies the true value of the currency in circulation and could also be avenue for fraudulent activities.

The CBN noted in the circular which is to take effect from April 1, 2022, that violation of this directive by any deposit money bank will attract a penalty of 400% of the value of the banknote on such financial institution.

The circular from the CBN reads, “The management of the CBN observed with concern the increase number of composed banknotes deposited by DMBs and request for replacement of such banknotes by members of the public. The existence of composed banknotes in the economy falsify the true value of currency in circulation, and can also be avenue for fraudulent activities. Consequently, any composed banknote discovered in the deposit of DMBs shall attract penalty of 400 per cent of the value.”

Nairametrics