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Banks must offer acceptable services – BCAN

By on August 13, 2014

The President, Bank Customers Association of Nigeria, Dr. ‘Uju Ogubunka, says banks need to render services that are based on acceptable standards and values.

He also stressed the need for the public to inculcate appropriate banking habits and culture.

Ogubunka stated these in a communiqué issued after a maiden summit held recently by the association in Lagos, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent on Monday.

The BCAN president further noted that the association “needs to fast-track the realisation of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial literacy/inclusion programme by carrying out adequate enlightenment to educate the public.

“There is also the need to rally bank customers and consumers of banking and financial services for the promotion and protection of their interests in the face of daunting challenges against them.”

The association leader recognised the inter-dependence of operators, regulators and bank customers in creating a sound, stable, sustainable and resilient financial system.

As a result, he said the BCAN would intensify efforts at fostering mutual understanding, trust and confidence between banks and their customers.

This, he said, would be done through customer education, and thereby strengthening the CBN’s financial inclusion and other programmes.

“There is a need to urgently organise awareness programmes in the areas of bank charges, financial literacy/ inclusion as well as banking policies, regulations, products/services for the benefit of consumers in particular and stakeholders in general,” the association noted.

Ogubunka, however, posited that banks needed to also “respect, uphold and protect all the rights of their customers regardless of regulation or lack of it or the crave for profit.

“Banks must comply with the provisions of all operative statutes, regulations, laws, guidelines and policies as well as agreements and must not capitalise on the ignorance of customers to breach their rights.”

 

[Punch]