Further to our letter dated 26th February 2015, on the above subject, the Central Banking of Nigeria (CBN) has noted the need to improve on the processes for linking the BVN with customer's account, such that the customer does not necessarily have to physically visit the banks for the linkage.
In addition to the existing procedures, the CBN recognised a couple
of other ways through which customers could forward their BVNs to
Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) for linkage with their accounts:
1. Internet Banking and ATM
DMBs are required to provide an interface on their internet banking
platforms and ATM channels, to enable customers log-in with their
password or PIN and submit their BVN to the banks. Thereafter, the
Bank could use the web service provided by NIBSS to validate the
BVN and other details of the customer, in order to take appropriate
decision, whether to link or to reject the request, thereby
necessitating a physical visit to the bank.
2. Email and Formal Letter
Where email messaging already exists between banks and customers,
DMBs could leverage on this facility or a formal letter to obtain BVN
from their customers. Thus, customers could send their BVNs to their
account officers using any of these channels. Thereafter, the bank
could verify the signature of the customer and validate the BVN
before linking same to the account.
3. Self-Service Portal
Customers can use a self-service portal driven by NIBSS to log in
with their BVNs and obtain a passcode that will be used to complete
the required information online, indicating the accounts (number
and name) in all banks. On a daily basis, NIBSS will provide a report
showing all the required information, to enable banks link the BVNs
with the customers' accounts. DMBs should please liaise with NIBSS
on the modus-operandi for this portal.
Notwithstanding the aforementioned options, the DMBs are hereby
reminded, to ensure that the BVN is genuine and validate the
demographic information associated with the BVN against the
customer's demographic data in the core banking application.

Please note and ensure strict compliance.


Source