Legal entities will be unable to make payments to other legal or natural persons outside the bank. They may, however, continue to make unlimited internal payments to other legal or natural persons, provided these transactions occur strictly within ALTA Bank AD Bitola. This measure comes in response to developments at the bank’s namesake institution in neighboring Serbia, Governor of the National Bank of Macedonia (NBRM) TrajkoSlaveski said Monday.
These measures have been implemented to safeguard all depositors, as well as the bank’s assets and stability, pending a change in ownership, a transition the NBRM expects to take place in the near future.
“We are taking temporary steps to protect ALTA Bank AD Bitola, its assets, and all citizens’ savings until the anticipated change in ownership occurs. The introduction of administration at the bank is a temporary protective measure; it does not signify the closure of the bank, bankruptcy, or the revocation of its operating license,” the Governor said.
Slaveski further assured that ALTA Bank AD Bitola remains liquid, highly capitalized, and possesses a credit portfolio of solid quality.
The bank will continue its operations under the direct supervisory oversight of the National Bank, subject to temporary restrictions. Client funds remain secure in their respective accounts. For individuals, a weekly limit of 10,000 denars has been established for outflows via cards, covering both cash withdrawals and payments to merchants. Internal payments within the Bank remain unlimited.
Legal entities will betemporarily unable to transfer funds out of the Bank via payment systems, nor will they be able to withdraw cash from ATMs or at bank counters. They may, however, make unlimited internal payments to other legal entities and persons within the Bank.