Depositors of failed microfinance banks (MFBs) may have a bleak Christmas and New year as their funds have been trapped in these institutions. Intelligence can reveal that over 500,000 customers of these banks are affected by this development. In Lagos alone, about five microfinance banks have closed shop. Many of the customers of the MFBs were shocked last week when they could not make withdrawal from their banks. Some of the MFBs according to the customers, locked their doors from inside without explanation while the others informed their customers that they had closed business for the year. Customers have not given up hope as all through last week they congregated in front of some of the MFBs alleged to have proceeded on end of year holidays, some customers faulted the banks for not even showing the courtesy of informing them that they would shut down at the end of the year and resume normal operations in the New Year. Some customers have therefore called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to investigate all the MFBs to make sure that they are not channeling their money to some big – time borrowers, who can no longer approach commercial banks to fund their ostentatious living. They said that possibility was not in doubt in view of the current stringent measures taken against them by the apex bank. Some of the apprehensive customers vowed to close their accounts if the bank ever open for business in the New Year. Ask to why customers are unable to access their funds, some officials maintained that in view of the heavy transactions carried out during the year became necessary to shut down, balance papers and work out market strategy for the New Year.