Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria declares March 1,2016 as a No Banking Day

The Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON, a consumer rights NGO) has declared Tuesday, March 1, 2016 as a "No Banking Day" for Nigerians to protest against the exploitation & excessive bank charges.
     NnnnThe communique issued by CAFON noted the following: * For many years now, consumers of banking services have been subject to series of poor and unsatisfactory transaction and relationship terms; * We have endured excessive charges, illegal fees and unfair contracts that only protects the bank but does not protect the consumers;
* Banks debit our accounts at will for charges we never agreed to or were not aware of; *Banks charge us for every little service, we pay for getting our statements; introduction letters, etc and now, some banks are charging N200 for the use of deposit and transfer forms;
* Under the current CBN management, abolished fees are being reintroduced;
* ATM withdrawals that was free now cost N65 on 3rd withdrawals.

* We pay N1000 for debit card issuance and renewals;

    * We pay N105 for every online transfer, and they still charge N105 as Annual Debit Card Maintenance;

    * Alert on transactions at inflated amount and now, a new Stamp Duty charge of N50 on every credit of over N1000 has just been introduced;

     * COT that was supposed to end finally in 2016 is now being reintroduced as 1% of every withdrawal, purportedly as Monthly Current Account Maintenance Fees. These and many more are to say the least unacceptable! The fact is, Consumers are being exploited by all the banks and CBN is aiding and encouraging these exploitation. We cannot continue to endure these exploitations! That is why Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria CAFON, a consumer rights NGO is calling consumers to join us in protest against Banking Exploitation by declaring Tuesday, March 1 2016 as "NO BANKING DAY!" Our Demands are as follows: a) We want bank charges reviewed downwards; b) Banks must clear fees with consumers BEFORE debiting our accounts; c) Bank forms and contracts must be reviewed to include more protection for consumers; d) Consumer complaints must be resolved promptly and satisfactorily d) CBN must review the new Stamp Duty Charge, Account Maintenance Charge AND Debit Card Maintenance Fees; We urge ALL consumers to boycott ALL banking services in protest of these excessive charges and policies. That means, on Tuesday March 1st 2016:
1. Don't visit any bank or branches to transact any business;
2. Don't use your ATM from 12a.m -12 midnight on March 1;
3. Don't log in to any of your accounts online and don't do any transfers from 12am-12 midnight;
4. Don't make any online payments from 12am- 12 midnight;
5. Don't issue any cheques or banking instruments dated March 1, 2016;
6. Avoid doing any financial transactions on March 1. We can all commit to observe a "No Banking Day Protest" to press home our demands, after all, if we don't patronize them, they can't be in business. Please share with your friends, loved ones and family members until we have mass awareness, so everyone can observe the "No Banking Day Protest". It is not right, so let's use our Rights! Signed by: Sola Salako; (President, CAFON).