GTBank Card Maintenance Fee (Explained)
The GTBank card maintenance fee is a service charge applied to customers who use GTBank-issued debit cards, particularly Naira-denominated cards. The fee covers the cost of maintaining, servicing, and supporting the debit card infrastructure that allows customers to withdraw cash, make POS payments, and transact online.
In Nigeria, banks are permitted to charge this fee under regulations provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). GTBank does not impose the fee arbitrarily; it follows an industry-wide framework applicable to commercial banks. The periodic deductions described as “Card Maintenance Fee” on your bank statement, is important because it’s helps maintain your bank account.
How Much Is GTBank Card Maintenance Fee?
GTBank currently charges ₦50 per month as card maintenance fee on eligible Naira debit cards. This translates to ₦600 per year, deducted monthly rather than annually.
The fee is not deducted in a lump sum. Instead, GTBank deducts it gradually, making it less noticeable but still consistent.
- This charges applies to per card, not per account
- Customers with multiple active debit cards may incur multiple fees
- The fee is deducted whether or not the card is actively used in a given month.
Why Does GTBank Charge Card Maintenance Fee?
The card maintenance fee exists to support the cost of providing card-related banking services. Debit cards may look simple on the surface, but they rely on a complex infrastructure that requires constant maintenance.
Some of the key expenses covered by the fee include:
- Card production and replacement
- ATM network operations and uptime
- POS and online payment integration
- Fraud monitoring and transaction security
- Customer support for card-related issues
- Compliance with regulatory and payment network standards
Without this fee, banks would struggle to sustain secure, reliable, and widely accessible card services across Nigeria.
Which GTBank Cards Are Affected?
The card maintenance fee applies mainly to:
- GTBank Naira debit cards
- Savings and current account-linked debit cards
- Cards that may not attract the fee include:
- Dollar (USD) cards
- Dormant or deactivated cards
- Certain special-purpose or virtual cards
That said, policies can change, and customers are advised to confirm their card type directly through GTBank channels.
When Is the Fee Deducted?
GTBank deducts the card maintenance fee monthly, usually at any point within the month. The timing may vary and does not always follow a fixed date.
If your account balance is insufficient at the time of deduction, the fee may, Be deducted later when funds enter the account, or Reflect as a pending or delayed charge.
This is why some customers see deductions days or weeks after they expected them.
Is the GTBank Card Maintenance Fee Legal?
Yes, the GTBank card maintenance fee is legal and regulated.
The Central Bank of Nigeria officially allows Nigerian banks to charge card maintenance fees on Naira debit cards only. This policy is clearly stated in the CBN Guide to Charges by Banks and Other Financial Institutions.
However, the CBN also mandates that:
- The fee must be clearly disclosed
- Customers must not be overcharged
- Certain cards, such as savings passbook-only accounts, may be exempt.
GTBank operates within these regulatory boundaries.
Can You Avoid GTBank Card Maintenance Fee?
While the fee cannot be waived permanently for active Naira debit cards, there are practical ways to manage or avoid it:
- Deactivate unused cards to stop charges
- Opt out of having multiple debit cards
- Use GTBank’s digital banking channels where possible
- Maintain only the cards you genuinely need
Requesting card deactivation can be done through a GTBank branch or customer support.
Card Maintenance Fee vs Other GTBank Charges
It is important not to confuse the card maintenance fee with other bank charges such as:
- SMS alert fees
- ATM withdrawal fees
- Transfer charges
- Stamp duty deductions
Each charge serves a different purpose and is regulated separately by the CBN.
Transparency and What GTBank Customers Should Know
GTBank generally reflects card maintenance deductions clearly in account statements. Customers are encouraged to:
- Regularly review transaction alerts
- Use the GTWorld app to monitor charges
- Contact customer care for clarification
Being proactive helps avoid confusion and builds better financial awareness.
In Conclusion: The GTBank card maintenance fee is not a penalty or hidden charge. It is a regulated service fee that supports the infrastructure enabling convenient banking across Nigeria. While ₦50 monthly may seem small, understanding why it exists empowers customers to make informed choices.
For customers who rely heavily on debit cards for daily transactions, the convenience, security, and accessibility often outweigh the cost. However, for those who barely use their cards, reviewing card usage and opting out where necessary can help reduce unnecessary deductions.
In today’s digital banking environment, awareness is the most valuable tool. Knowing how GTBank’s card maintenance fee works ensures you stay in control of your money—not surprised by it.
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