…Decry persistent online transaction failure
By Charles Ebi
Banks have commenced implementation of the new Automated Teller Machine ,ATM, transaction fee charge on customers following the Central Bank of Nigeria ,CBN’s, directive.
AljazirahNigeria correspondent who monitored the situation in some banks’ ATM gallery in Abuja and environs, reports that some customers were lamenting about the increase. All the banks’ ATM visited had monies loaded in them.
Mr Luke Abudu, a customer seen at First Bank along Nyanya-Jikwoyi road, said the implementation would only affect the poor masses who were struggling to make a living.
Abudu said the move would discourage customers from lodging monies in the banks.
”I came to withdraw N20,000 but I found out that I was charged N100 for the withdrawal. ‘”This is too much for a small business owner like me”, he said.
Another customer, Mrs Victoria Adejo, seen at Zenith Bank, Mararaba branch said that withdrawal from Point of Sale ,PoS, agent was now cheaper than using an ATM.
”It is unfortunate that our government formulate policies without feeling the pulse of the people.
”I read that the CBN said the decision is in response to rising cost and to improve efficiency of ATM services but banks still bill us for service charge.
”They (banks) declare profit in billions and trillions from our monies and the CBN does not consider that. ”This is not good enough at all”, she said.
Mr Nurudeen Ehimotor, a customer at Guaranty Trust Bank ,GTB, Asokoro, said he was at the bank to use the ATM due to the bank’s poor online network.
”I came to use ATM because I tried to transfer money from my bank using USSD since yesterday but it didn’t go through.
”I have an issue with my app, so I have been using USSD codes for my transfer.
”I think they ,the bank’s, are trying to make people use ATM now for them to make more money”, he said.
Ehimotor appealed to banks to reduce incessant charges on customers account.
The CBN had on Feb. 10, released a circular to all banks and other financial institutions to apply the fees with effect from March 1.
CBN in the circular with title ‘Review of ATM transaction fees’ said the move was in response to rising cost and the need to improve efficiency of ATM services in the banking industry.
On-Us ,customers withdrawing at the ATM of the customer’s financial institution, in Nigeria, no charge.
”Not-on-Us , withdrawal from another institution’s ATM, in Nigeria; On-site-ATMs: A charge of N100 per N20,000 withdrawal.
”Off-site ATMs: A charge of N100 plus a surcharge of not more than N500 per N20,000 withdrawal.
”The income which is an income of the ATM acquirer/deployer, shall be disclosed at point of withdrawal to the consumer”, it said.
Meanwhile, banks had informed their customers through various electronic mails ,e-mails, of the increase.
GTB told its customers in addition to the ATM transaction fee, that the free monthly withdrawals usually enjoyed by them would no longer be applied.
”Please note that the three free monthly withdrawals at other banks’ ATMs ,for GTBank customers, and GTBank ATMs, for other bank customers, will no longer apply”, the bank said.
Also, Access Bank in their official X handle told customers that ”All Access Cards now work seamlessly across all ATMs and POS machines, so you can make payments without hassle”.
Meanwhile, Customers of various banks in the country have decried persistent network fluctuations and online transactions’ failure being experienced due to poor bank’s network.
Some of them who spoke to our Correspondent in Abuja, said the situation was becoming frustrating and worrisome.
Mrs Bukola Attah, a customer of Zenith Bank, said her cash transfer to assist her relative who was critically ill in the hospital failed.
Attah said the relative was literally unlawfully discharged from the hospital due to failure of the online transaction.
”My cousin called me for an urgent financial assistance because she was in the hospital waiting to be admitted.
”I quickly transferred N50,000 to her through the hospital’s account but my account was debited but the money did not enter the hospital’s account.
”The hospital could not conclude the admission process because they were waiting for my money to drop but it did not enter that day.
”This is very discouraging”, she said.
Mr Henry Otu, a customer of Guaranty Trust Bank ,GTB, said the bank’s online transactions using the USSD code had failed since Feb. 26.
Otu said he became frustrated when his efforts to recharge his electricity meter through his bank failed.
”I tried all day and night to recharge my electricity meter but to no avail.
”We ended up without light that day. The situation was not funny at all because my wife stored some things in the refrigerator”, he said.
Mr Philip Solomon, a customer of Access Bank, appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria ,CBN, and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation ,NDIC, to compel banks to upgrade their services and network to the highest level to meet international standards.
Solomon wondered why all the banks including Tier 1 stage banks were having network issues.
”I think most banks want to do away with the use of their USSD to focus on their Apps because the service ,USSD, is always fluctuating and not reliable at all”, he said.
Miss Chinyere Okoro, a First Bank customer said that her online transactions through her bank application ,app, since on Saturday had failed.
Okoro, however, said that she had relied on PoS agents using her ATM card for her market runs.
Meanwhile, Access Bank had on its official X handle assured customers the bank was committed to doing more.
”We know today has been tough, and we truly appreciate your patience and support.
”Your trust means everything to us, and that is why we are thrilled to announce that our services are back- AccessMore, USSD Banking, Internet Banking, Cards, ATMs, POS, and Agency Banking services are now fully restored.
”You can now bank seamlessly anytime, anywhere, just the way you deserve.
”Thank you for standing by us, for believing in us, and for choosing Access. You are at the heart of everything we do, and we will always be here for you”, the bank said
