Bulgaria's FIBank says to close until Monday after criminal attack

First Investment Bank AD

27/06/2014 12:15

SOFIA, June 27 (Reuters) - Bulgaria's First Investment Bank 
(FIBank) said on Friday it would close its branches at 1200 GMT 
and remain closed until Monday after what it described as "a 
criminally organised attack" that resulted in depositors 
withdrawing 800 million lev ($555.88 million) in funds in a 
matter of hours  
    Bulgaria's third largest lender said in a statement it had 
to close its branches temporarily for logistical reasons but 
would resume normal operations on Monday. 
    A spokesman for the bank, speaking to Reuters, said however 
that Internet banking services and cash machine withdrawals 
would continue to operate normally.    
    "As you see, the bank is the object of an unprecedented 
criminally organised attack of rumours and ill-intentioned 
public statements," First Investment Bank said.  
 
 (Reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova; writing by Matthias Williams; 
Editing by Gareth Jones) 
 ((matthias.williams@thomsonreuters.com)(Reuters Messaging: 
matthias.williams.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) 
 
Keywords: BULGARIA BANKING/CLOSURE