The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has commenced the payment of N46.6 billion from liquidation dividends to depositors of the defunct Heritage Bank.
In a statement, acting head of communication and public affairs at the corporation, Hawwau Gambo, said the funds were realised from the sale of Heritage Bank’s assets and the recovery of debts owed to the institution.
She explained that a liquidation dividend is paid to depositors of a closed bank, beyond the maximum insured limit, using proceeds from asset sales and debt recoveries.
Gambo added that after all depositors have been fully reimbursed, creditors and shareholders may also benefit from the liquidation proceeds.
Gambo said it began payment of the first tranche of liquidation dividends on April 25, at a rate of 9.2 kobo per naira on a pro-rata basis to depositors with balances exceeding N5 million.
“Depositors with balances exceeding N5 million who did not receive their liquidation dividends should visit the nearest NDIC office,” the spokesperson said.
She also encouraged depositors without alternative bank accounts — who were not paid their insured amount — to visit NDIC offices or download the necessary forms from the agency’s website.
“Depositors must complete and submit a deposit verification form to receive their insured amounts and, where applicable, the first tranche of dividends,” Gambo added.
Following the revocation of Heritage Bank’s licence by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on June 3, 2024, the NDIC said it immediately reimbursed insured deposits of up to N5 million.
To ease the process, the agency used bank verification numbers (BVN) to locate alternate accounts and credit depositors automatically.
Gambo said further payments would be made as more assets of the defunct bank are recovered and realised.
