CBN Issues New Cash Access Directive To Zenith Bank, Other Banks
✍️ By Teju/ January 6, 2026/ 8:06am
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) issued a fresh directive to commercial banks, including Zenith Bank Plc, aimed at ensuring improved access to physical cash across the country as Nigeria enters 2026.
The policy move comes after a generally smoother festive season, during which many Nigerians experienced fewer reports of long queues and ATM cash shortages than in previous years. CBN’s order requires banks to proactively manage over-the-counter and ATM cash distribution so that customers can conveniently access funds without the frustration that has historically marked holiday periods.
Under the guidance, financial institutions must ensure that ATMs are adequately stocked and operational nationwide, and that over-the-counter withdrawals remain readily accessible to individuals and small businesses. This emphasis on cash availability reflects the central bank’s renewed focus on operational discipline and customer satisfaction in retail banking.
Bank customers in major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Calabar have already reported shorter waiting times at branches and ATM points, suggesting early improvements as commercial banks align with the new directive. One Lagos resident shared how a normally busy ATM queue took only minutes to clear, marking a positive shift from previous years when holiday traffic often delayed access to physical cash.
For Zenith Bank and its peers, the directive presents both a service delivery challenge and opportunity: to reassure customers of consistent cash availability while continuing to promote digital banking channels and innovation. As the banking environment evolves, meeting CBN’s cash access expectations could strengthen customer trust and reinforce Nigeria’s financial system stability in the year ahead.
Source: Legit.ng
