Regulatory Alerts2009-05-22 | TED-FEM-FPC-GEN-01-088-09Re: Guidelines for the Operation of the Foreign Exchange Market: Retail Dutch Auction Systme (RDAS)
This Central Bank of Nigeria circular, dated May 23, 2007 and addressed to authorized dealers, Class 'A' Bureau de Change operators, oil and oil services companies, other government agencies, and the general public, outlines updated guidelines for the operation of the foreign exchange market through the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS). Key amendments include: 1. Funds not utilized within 5 working days by authorized dealers can be used for interbank transactions. The requirement that banks' buying and selling rates should not exceed 1% from the CBN rate has been removed. 2. Oil and oil services companies, as well as government agencies, are given discretion to sell their foreign exchange locally or through the CBN, effective May 25, 2009. 3. Class 'A' Bureau De Change operators (bank and non-bank) now have access to the CBN window every week to buy foreign exchange at a rate not more than 2% above the CBN selling rate. The market day for BDCs is Tuesdays, starting from May 26, 2009. 4. The Retail Dutch Auction System will be conducted twice a week (Mondays and Wednesdays) instead of daily, effective June 1, 2009. The CBN may participate in the interbank market at its discretion. All Authorized Dealers and Class 'A' Bureau De Change operators must adhere to these guidelines, with any non-compliance subject to appropriate sanctions.
Tel: 09 462 37 811 May 23, 2007 Fax: 09 462 37 809 Central Bank of Nigeria Central Business District P.M.B. 0187 Garki, Abuja E-mail address:ted@cenbank.org TED/FEM/FPC/GEN/01/088 May 22, 2009 TO: ALL AUTHORISED DEALERS, CLASS 'A' BUREAU DE CHANGE OPERATORS, OIL AND OIL SERVICES COMPANIES, OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC RE: GUIDELINES FOR THE OPERATION OF THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET: RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS) In order to stimulate activities in the foreign exchange market for return to the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS), Authorised Dealers, Class 'A" Bureau de Change operators and the general public are hereby informed of the following amendments in respect of the provisions of the circulars stated below for information and full compliance 1. FURTHER GUIDELINES ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET: CIRCULAR REF. TED/FEM/FPC/GEN/01/015 OF FEBRUARY 9, 2009 a) Funds sourced from non-RDAS and non-oil export proceeds by Authorised Dealers which are not utilized within 5 working days are no longer to be sold to the CBN. The funds can be utilized for interbank transactions.
b) The requirement that banks' buying and selling rates shall be at no more than 1.0 per cent around the CBN rate is now removed. 2. RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS): SALE OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE BY OIL AND OIL SERVICES COMPANIES, NNPC AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES: CIRCULAR REF. TED/FEM/GEN/01/024 OF FEBRUARY 25, 2009 Government Agencies and Oil and Oil Services Companies will have the discretion to sell their foreign exchange to meet their local commitments at the inter-bank foreign exchange market or to the CBN with effect from May 25, 2009.
3. Operational Guidelines For Class 'A' Bureau De Change Operators: Circular Ref. Ted/Fem/Fpc/Gen/01/027 Of February 27, 2009
a) All Class 'A' BDCs (bank and non-bank) can access the CBN window to buy foreign exchange (cash) every week. The amount to be offered for sale shall be communicated every Monday of the week.
b) The BDCs are expected to retail the funds at a rate no more than 2.0 per cent above the CBN selling rate.
c) The market day for the BDC operators is Tuesday of every week beginning from Tuesday, May 26, 2009.
4. Conduct Of Retail Dutch Auction System (Rdas) Session: Circular Ref. Ted/Fem/Fpc/Gen/01/036/09 Of March 16, 2009
The operations of the Retail Dutch Auction System which is currently daily will be operated twice a week (Mondays and Wednesdays) with effect from June 1, 2009. The provision of this circular supersedes the provisions of the circular referred to (in 4) above
Other Measures
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may participate in the inter-bank market at its own discretion. All Authorised Dealers and Class 'A' Bureau de Change operators are enjoined to ensure compliance with the provisions of this circular as any breach shall be sanctioned appropriately.
BATARI MUSA Ag. DIRECTOR TRADE & EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT