THERE are indications that the use of payment service banks is increasingly reflecting in the market while that of Point of Sales (POS) service is reducing. Industry data from the Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) shows that the value of POS transactions in May stood at N682.82 billion as against N666.36 billion in June, representing a -2.41 per cent decline. However, aggregate value of transactions rose by 6.36 per cent in June, an uptick from 1.42 per cent in May, partly supported by increased spending ahead of the Eid al-Adha celebration. This is even as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), over the weekend released an exposure draft on Digital Financial Services Awareness (DFS) guidelines, which the apex bank said it developed in order “to address gaps in consumer knowledge and practices with Digital financial Services (DFS).”According to the CBN’s Consumer Protection Department which issued the document, the guidelines apply to Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Merchant banks, Other Financial Institutions (OFIs), Payment Service Banks (PSBs) and other payment service institutions as licensed by the regulator. One of the key objectives of the guidelines, the CBN said, is to set “Digital Financial Literacy (DFL) standards for Digital Financial Services Providers (DFSP).”ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNEFor instance, the document stipulates that DFS providers, among other requirements, are expected to “Provide information that will enable consumers differentiate DFS products from conventional banking products and services; ensure ease of access to information on all product offerings to enable consumers make informed decisions; provide information on products in simple English and local languages; conduct outreach to underserved populations regarding DFS options available to them and provide information on product usage and how to obtain support services when the need arises.”In addition, DFS providers are expected to “Develop and deliver educational materials to prospective and existing customers through basic channels such as Short Message Service (SMS), Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) and at agent locations, in addition to app, web and social media platforms and submit developed educational materials to the Director of Consumer Protection, CBN for review.”

Source: Nigerian Tribune July 11, 2022 17:35 UTC