BDC operators kick as CBN restricts forex trading

The Central Bank of Nigeria has announced operational mechanism for the Bureau De Change segment of the market to trade foreign currencies at similar rates obtainable on the Investor & Exporter forex window.

It gave the directive to all BDCs and the general public in a circular number TED/FEM/PUB/FBC/001/007 dated August 17, 2023, titled, ‘Operational mechanism for Bureau De Change operations in Nigeria’, released on Friday.

The apex bank said in the circular signed by the Director, Trade & Exchange Department, Dr. O.S. Naji, that its implementation should be with immediate effect.

It said this was in support of the drive to improve the efficiency of the Nigerian foreign exchange market.

The circular stated, “The spread on buying and selling by BDC operators shall be within an allowable limit of -2.5 per cent to +2.5 per cent of the Nigerian exchange market window weighted average rate of the previous day.

“Mandatory rendition by BDC operators of the statutory periodic reports (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly), on the financial institution forex rendition system which has been upgraded to meet operators’ requirements.

“Operators are to note that with effect from the date of this circular, non-rendition of returns would attract sanctions which may include withdrawal of operating licence. Where operators do not have any transaction within the period, they are expected to render nil returns.

“Please, be guided accordingly and ensure compliance.”

However findings by Saturday PUNCH, revealed that the order which was to commence immediately was being snubbed by most BDCs who had access to the scarce forex.

Figures from the FMDQ showed that the naira commenced trading on the I&E window at 761.82/$ before closing at 739.52/$ on Friday.

Total turnover on the window was $130.92m as of the close of Friday.

However, some BDCs who would not want to be named because they were not complying with the new directive said the naira was sold at 865/$ on Friday.

A BDC who spoke to The PUNCH said, “We bought and sold dollar for 840/$ and 865/$ today. CBN is not giving us the dollar, and I did not get it cheap at the official rate so I cannot sell at that rate.

“How many people have access to that official rate; the dollar is still scarce and expensive.”

Another BDC who would not want to be quoted also said, “The rate we sold today is 865/$. The implication of the new guideline is that if it pays to sell at the black market, I will not sell as a licensed operator.”

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria, Aminu Gwadabe, said the new directive was in line with the financial reform for the industry with reference to the lisensed BDCs operating the guideline.

Gwadabe said, “It is an anchor rate for them, if a customer comes, then you look at what is the closing rate for the I&E window and you buy at the -2.5 per cent to +2.5 per cent; the same thing if a customer comes to you, you use the same I&E window.”

He noted that the CBN, through its intelligence report, had seen that there were BDCs that, even though they were not accessing CBN window, they were also accessing the independent window and transacting.

Meanwhile, he said, other transactions showed that there were BDCs that were buying and selling through their accounts.

He said the CBN was also ensuring return on rendition to for BDCs to report they did the transactions.