Nigeria’s banking sector may be losing trillions of naira annually due to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s high Cash Reserve Ratio, according to a new report by investment banking and research firm Chapel Hill Denham.

The report titled “The Nigerian Banking Paradox: High Returns, Deep Discounts” argued that despite Nigerian banks posting some of the strongest returns on equity in Africa, they continue to trade at deep discounts compared to peers in South Africa and Morocco because of macroeconomic concerns and restrictive regulations.

The report identified the CBN’s 50 per cent CRR policy as one of the biggest constraints on profitability, stating that it effectively sterilizes half of customer deposits without interest payments.

According to the analysts, the policy, which was originally designed to manage liquidity, control inflation, and stabilize the naira, may now be creating long-term costs for banks and the wider economy.

The report stated that Nigerian banks operate under what it described as a “restrictive” regulatory framework that places severe liquidity constraints on deposits.

According to Chapel Hill Denham, the banking sector’s profitability and lending capacity are being structurally weakened by the current CRR regime.

“Our analysis reveals that Nigerian banks operate under a uniquely restrictive regulatory perimeter, including a 50 per cent cash reserve ratio (CRR) and mandatory consolidation of all cross-border operations, that structurally suppresses current reported returns while creating asymmetric upside potential.”

“The CBN’s framework, designed in direct response to the 2008/2009 banking crisis and subsequent currency volatility, reflects rational macro-prudential choices, but the cost-benefit calculus has shifted materially as Nigerian banks have taken on a wider regional role.”

“For every N100 of deposits, banks must immobilise N50 in non-interest-bearing reserves at the CBN, while still paying 5–12 per cent to depositors.”

“Applying a 15 per cent net interest spread implies an annual earnings drag of approximately N2.5 trillion, equivalent to roughly 60 per cent of Q3 2025 gross earnings.”

The analysts further argued that the opportunity cost created by the CRR is discouraging lending and reducing the banking sector’s ability to create credit within the economy.

The report highlighted that Nigeria’s CRR remains significantly higher than what is obtainable in several African economies and other inflation-targeting countries globally.

According to the analysts, the scale of the CRR requirement places Nigeria in a category of its own.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria’s 50% cash reserve requirement sits well above the global norm, fundamentally reshaping bank balance sheets and earnings.”

“South Africa operates with a 2.5% CRR, Egypt with 16%, Kenya with 4.25%, Ghana with 15%, and Morocco has reduced its CRR to 0%, while the global median for inflation-targeting central banks is 5–10%. Its scale places it in a category of its own globally.”

“The 50% CRR creates an unusually asymmetric risk profile. A gradual reduction toward 30–40% as macro conditions normalise is economically and politically plausible over a 2–3-year horizon.”

According to the report, reducing the CRR from 50% to 30% could release roughly N8 trillion back into the banking system and potentially generate around N800 billion in additional annual pre-tax profits for banks.

The report also noted that current market valuations suggest investors are pricing Nigerian banks as though the present CRR framework will remain permanent despite the possibility of future easing.

At the February 2026 Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, the CBN retained the CRR for Deposit Money Banks at 45%, Merchant Banks at 16%, and 75% for non-TSA public sector deposits as part of efforts to maintain tight monetary conditions.

MPC members defended the decision, citing concerns over inflation, liquidity management, and exchange rate stability.

“To preserve macrofinancial stability, tight prudential ratios such as CRR should be retained to keep system liquidity well anchored, and the asymmetric corridor adjusted to +50/−450 bps to discourage passive SDF placements and guide liquidity toward productive private sector lending.” – Aku Pauline Odinkemelu

“By retaining the CRR and the asymmetric corridor parameters, overall monetary conditions remain prudently tight. This ensures that policy continues to anchor expectations while supporting private sector activity.” – Bala Moh’d Bello MoN

“My primary concern is the persistence of excess liquidity from fiscal injections, which could undermine disinflation gains and exchange rate stability. The 75 per cent CRR on non-TSA deposits has helped sterilise public sector induced liquidity.” – Bandele A.G. Amoo

“The decision to retain the asymmetric Standing Facilities corridor and maintain existing CRR parameters reflects the MPC’s commitment to preserving tight liquidity conditions despite the slight policy rate reduction.” – Lamido Abubakar Yuguda

The CBN has consistently maintained that elevated CRR levels remain necessary to curb excess liquidity, manage inflationary pressures, and support exchange rate stability, even as analysts continue to debate the long-term impact on banking sector growth and lending.