* Returns N338bn for unsuccessful forex bids

In a bid to mop up liquidity and prevent speculation in the foreign exchange market, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Friday deducted N216 billion from banks accounts as Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR).

In addition, the apex bank mopped up N80 billion through sale of secondary market (Open Market Operations, OBB) treasury bills.

These developments prompted the cost of funds to rise sharply on Friday with interest rate on Collateralised (Open Buy Back, OBB) lending rising by 740 basis points (bpts) to 15.17 percent from 8.3 percent the previous week. Similarly, interest rate on Overnight lending rose by 684 bpts to 16.67 percent on Friday from 9.83 percent the previous week.

In another development the apex bank returned N338 billion to bank customers for unsuccessful bids at its retail foreign exchange auction, a situation that indicates unwillingness to further use the nation’s declining external reserves to meet dollar demand from end-users.

Meanwhile, the external reserves declined for the second consecutive week, falling to $36.316 billion on Thursday last week from $36.446 billion on Thursday June 11th, 2020. This represents week-on-week decline of $130 million. Consequently the reserves had fallen by $256 million since May 29th, 2020 when it peaked at $36.594 billion.

Reflecting this development, the naira depreciated last week in the parallel market and in the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window.

In the parallel market the naira depreciated by N7.5 as the exchange rate rose to N455.5 per dollar on Friday from N448 per dollar the previous week.

In the I&E window, the naira depreciated by 75 kobo as the indicative exchange rate for the window rose to N386.5 per dollar from N385.75 per dollar the previous week.

Follow Our WhatsApp Channel _______________________________________________________________________ Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook The book also examines Nigeria's legal ecosystem, focusing on the LPELR and NBA AI Guidelines. As a bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE eBook titled: How to Use the AI Features in LegalPedia and LawPavilion. Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating: "....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic." How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626 Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria. _______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com

________________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation _______________________________________________________________________