Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, on Monday, announced the commencement of the liquidation of Heritage Bank Plc.
The Corporation, however, assured that it would pay depositors of the failed bank N5 million insured deposits.
NDIC’s Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Bashir Nuhu, said in a statement that the liquidation is in accordance with Section 55 Sub-sections 1 & 2 of the NDIC Act 2023.
According to the statement, “Following the revocation of the banking licence of Heritage Bank Plc by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) today, June 3, 2024, and the appointment of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) as the liquidator, pursuant to Section 12(2) of BOFIA, 2020, the corporation wishes to announce to depositors of the bank in particular and the banking public in general, as follows:
“The NDIC has commenced the liquidation of Heritage Bank Plc: In accordance with Section 55 sub-section 1 & 2 of the NDIC Act 2023, the corporation has commenced the liquidation process of the failed bank with immediate verification and payment of insured deposits to the bank depositors.
“Depositors of the bank that have alternate accounts within the industry will be paid up to the insured amount of N5 million per depositor using their Bank Verification Number (BVN) to locate their alternate account. While depositors with funds in excess of N5 million will be paid liquidation dividends upon realisation of the bank’s assets and recovery of debts owed to the bank.”
The Corporation’s spokesman advised depositors without an alternate bank account in the industry to visit the nearest branch of the bank with proof of account ownership and verifiable means of identification.
He added, “Verification and payment of depositors without alternate bank account: All depositors of the defunct bank without an alternate bank account in the industry are advised as follows:
“Visit the nearest branch of the bank with proof of account ownership, verifiable means of identification such as driver’s license, permanent voter’s card, National Identity Card, together with their alternate account and Bank Verification Number (BVN) for the verification of their deposits and subsequent payment of insured sums or file online claim by visiting the NDIC website claims page on www.ndic.gov.ng/claims/claims, download and fill the claims forms and upload the required documentation.
“Verification and Payment of Creditors: Creditors are also advised to visit the nearest branch of the bank to file their claims or via the online platform. Please note that the process of payment of creditors will commence immediately after all depositors have been paid. Debtors’ Repayment of Loans: Debtors who are yet to complete the repayment of loans are advised to contact the Corporation’s Asset Management Department (AMD). Visit the NDIC website for more details.”
The corporation further assured depositors of the safety of their funds.
“The NDIC wishes to assure the entire banking public of its commitment to the continued safety of depositors’ funds in all licensed banks. As such, depositors are urged to continue their banking businesses without fear as banks whose licenses have not been revoked remain safe and sound,” it stated.
Earlier on Monday, the Central Bank of Nigeria revoked the banking licence of Heritage Bank with immediate effect.
The apex bank’s action followed the commercial bank’s failure to improve its financial performance, thereby posing a threat to financial stability.
CBN said the bank’s management has been unable to stem the decline despite various supervisory steps taken by the regulator, adding that with no reasonable prospects of recovery, it took the decision to protect the financial system and maintain public confidence.
