CBE’s New Service Fees Spark Outcry as 50 Birr Charges Hit Small Transfers













ADDIS ABABA – The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia’s (CBE) newly adjusted service fees officially took effect today, and early customer reactions on social media show widespread frustration.

Screenshots circulating online reveal that interbank transfers under ETB 1,000 are now subject to a flat ETB 50 charge, a rate many customers say is disproportionate to the transaction size. For example, a transfer of ETB 500 now incurs a 10% fee—an unusually high cost for low-value transactions.

Customer Backlash

Many CBE account holders have taken to Facebook, X, and Telegram groups to complain about the sudden jump in fees, describing them as “punitive” and “unfair to everyday users.”

Users compared the cost to private banks and mobile wallets, arguing that fintech competitors often charge less for similar transactions.

The most repeated grievance is that CBE did not publicly disclose the updated fee structure in detail before enforcement, leaving customers confused about the exact rates.

What’s Changed

Transfers to other banks now carry the steepest increase, especially for amounts below ETB 1,000.

Customers report that the ETB 50 flat charge applies regardless of whether the transfer is ETB 100 or ETB 999.

While CBE previously issued a broad notice in August announcing “service fee adjustments effective September 28, 2025,” it did not publish the full tariff schedule widely, leading to what customers describe as “bill shock.”



CBE serves more than 38 million customers, making it the largest bank in Ethiopia by a wide margin.

The bank’s dominant role means its fee structure sets an effective benchmark across the industry.

The backlash highlights a broader tension between Ethiopia’s state-owned banking giant and consumers at a time when fintech firms and private banks are aggressively pushing for market share with lower-cost digital services.



CBE has not yet issued a clarifying statement responding to today’s online uproar. Industry observers suggest the bank will face mounting pressure to either adjust the flat fee system for small transfers or offer clearer communication on the rationale behind the new rates.

For now, retail customers—especially low-income users relying on small transfers—appear to be the hardest hit by the changes.