Naharnet

Two depositors storm bank in Sin el-Fil in 4th break-in this week

Two depositors stormed Thursday a bank in Sin el-Fil and left the bank after receiving their trapped savings.

Salim Hatoum and Ashraf Salha respectively demanded their $5400 and $23200 frm Byblos Bank.

Earlier this week, three other depositors stormed three banks across Lebanon.

On Monday Lebanese depositor Edgard Awwad broke into Mawarid bank in Antelias with his thirteen years old son and left after he received his entire savings, a sum of $15000.

On Tuesday, a depositor with a grenade stormed a bank in Shheem and an hour later, another depositor broke into BBAC bank in Bint Jbeil and left after receiving $7000 out of his $10000 savings.

In Beirut, a depositor broke into BML bank last week and held the branch manager hostage until he received his savings.

As the small country’s crippling economic crisis continues to worsen, a growing number of Lebanese depositors have opted to break into banks and forcefully withdraw their trapped savings, as Lebanon's cash-strapped banks have imposed informal limits on cash withdrawals.

Three-quarters of the population has plunged into poverty in an economic crisis that the World Bank describes as one of the worst in over a century. Meanwhile, the Lebanese pound has lost 90% of its value against the dollar, making it difficult for millions across the country to cope with skyrocketing prices.

Source: Naharnet


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