FBME a Headache for CBC

16 June 2015

Eleven months after the CBC’s unprecedented decision to take over FBME’s operations in Cyprus, public concern escalates with local media reflecting this sentiment. The island’s Cyprus Weekly, English newspaper published the following article.

“When the Central Bank of Cyprus took the unprecedented decision in July 2014 to first suspend, and then attempt to sell, the operations of FBME Bank, the Cyprus branch of the Tanzania-based bank, following as yet unproven allegations concerning money laundering, it could not have foreseen the potential risks associated.

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Plus ça change, plus c’est la meme chose*

(*The more change, the more things stay the same) 

11 June 2015

 A letter from a Limassol law firm sent to FBME staff on behalf of the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) and its Administrator reminds employees of their obligation not to engage in the disclosure of information to the media and in particular to one website (whichever that may be). It actually describes such disclosures as ‘leaks’, a description redolent of Watergate or the fight against totalitarian dictatorship.

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FBME Limited Welcomes Decision from the ICC

25 May 2015

Recent decisions in the arbitration process at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris have been warmly welcomed by the owners of FBME Limited. They have reaffirmed their strong commitment to providing full cooperation to the Arbitral Tribunal and to achieving a solution to the dispute through collaboration with the Respondents.

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Sins: Those of Omission and those of Commission

9 May 2015

On 21 July 2014 at 11 o’clock in the evening, the Central Bank of Cyprus announced the imposition of resolution measures on the Cyprus branch of FBME Bank. As we know, Resolution is a preferred route for taking over the affairs of a bank going bankrupt, but it has not been used before for a healthy, liquid bank such as the Cyprus branch of FBME. In turning to this measure, the Central Bank failed to coordinate – or even inform – the supervisors of the head office of FBME Bank, the Bank of Tanzania. From that day to this, the CBC has still failed to link its actions to those of the superior authority in Tanzania or even to pay much attention to the rules and laws of Cyprus and the EU.

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Two FBME Administrators paid more than CBC Governor and Mario Draghi – combined

5 May 2015

An interesting factoid has emerged from the details of the appointment of a second Administrator by the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) to run the affairs of the Cyprus branch of FBME Bank: the two Administrators are paid more than the combined salaries of the Governor of the CBC and the person she describes as her boss, the ECB President Mario Draghi. You can probably also include the combined salaries of the other members of the CBC Board of Directors and still have change.

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No Staff Involvement

3 May 2015

Recent reports have incorrectly stated that FBME staff have approached the Police and the Central Bank of Cyprus to make certain unspecified allegations of breaches of Anti-Money Laundering Law. As far as FBME understands, the persons referred to are in fact individuals connected to British companies that are currently engaged in litigation with FBME regarding disputed invoices and services.

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