The mystery behind BMI’s unexpected closure does not
dissipate. A press communiqué yesterday from the Central Bank of Seychelles
(CBS) confirming that the BMI Offshore bank in Victoria was currently under
“examination” due to an “operational issue”. Yet the CBS seems unable to
expound what exactly is the problem.
The BMI Offshore bank
unexpectedly closed down on Thursday following an “examination” by the
Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of its data. While the BMI’s staff has
vanished and documents have been seized by the authorities, the FIU maintains
that an “examination” is not an “investigation”.
Yet the Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS) confirmed yesterday
via a press communiqué that it was, together with the FIU, conducting an
“examination on BMI’s transactions and records due to an ‘operational issue’”.
According to the CBS, BMI’s correspondent banking relationship has been
discontinued since last week which perhaps was the reason why the CBS and FIU
decided to carry out an “examination”.
The communiqué also makes the following point - that the
offshore bank was financially sound and that the depositor’s interests were
safeguarded even though they will not be able to access their deposits until
the problem is solved.
Naddy Marie was contacted, economist and communications
coordinator at CBS, for further clarifications - what was the “operational
issue”?, When will the depositors have access to their funds?, What happened to
BMI’s employees? But Mr Marie said he was not in a position to enlighten us
further.
Rumours of a possible
interdiction of BMI’s managing director Frank Hoareau could also not be
confirmed.
It is to be noted
that the FIU’s Declan Barber stated that the FIU never instructed BMI to close
or interrupt their daily activities. The CBS is mute on this matter as well.
Source:Today
