CBN stress-tests FX market reform, stops BDC funding

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Barely two weeks into the new Bureau de Change (BDC) regulatory regime, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may have finally stopped the funding of the sub-sector, and, in extension, the retail foreign exchange (FX) market, The Guardian learnt at the weekend.

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Whereas the bank is worried about the recent renewed pressure on the local currency, those familiar with its plan said its focus is on sustainable plans that would unlock liquidity in the medium to long term with confidence-building central to the new agenda. Last month, the apex bank released the new regulatory framework of the BDC operation with a proviso for fresh licensing. The new regime took effect on June 3 but existing and prospective operators have six months grace.

The leadership of the Association of Bureau de Change of Nigeria is said to have written the Central Bank on the “way forward” several times in recent times but has yet to get any response. The CBN resumed funding of the retail outlets earlier in the year and has since then extended weekly liquidity support to the operators three times – the last being in March. Before the resumption, the operators were compelled to embrace new guidelines, including allowable margins and detailed reporting of their activities.

The Guardian is aware that the BDC funding blockage is one of the several firm decisions the CBN is taking to transition to a more sustainable demand management approach. From both the demand and supply side, The Guardian learnt, the CBN is prioritising long-term confidence building over quick fixes, suggesting the authoritising may tolerate the current squeeze.

Perhaps, summer demand would provide the market an opportunity to stress-test the apex bank’s resolve to stick to its long-term stability plan, calling for proactive policy action to prevent the March crisis when the naira almost touched N2000/$ and tip the economy into disaster.

 

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