Alta Bank: Customers' salaries on hold as parties trade accusations

Alta Bank's customers are facing blocked October salaries and limited access to pensions and health insurance payments as political parties exchange daily accusations over who is to blame for the crisis.

Political rows deepen while users and businesses wait

The National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia (NBRM) has taken over management of Alta Bank as authorities and party leaders fire off press statements and hold separate briefings. Pensioners can withdraw only limited amounts, companies face operational restrictions and many depositors are unable to withdraw funds or make payments to other banks.

The opposition SDSM has blamed Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and the central bank governor Slaveski, demanding accountability and an investigation. Bogdanka Kuzevska, SDSM spokesperson, said: "This is direct confirmation of what SDSM has been saying for 11 months — Mickoski and Slaveski brought Vucic's money-laundering operation with dubious capital into Macedonia."

Ruling party VMRO-DPMNE responded with counter-accusations, urging criminal proceedings against SDSM for what it called sabotage of the banking system. Brane Petrushevski of VMRO-DPMNE declared: "Why are Filipche and SDSM so loud about Alta Bank — is a ready businessman close to Zaev waiting to buy the bank at a bargain price? We call on the Public Prosecutor's Office to act upon what has been heard and summon for questioning all those trying to undermine the constitutional order of the state."

Officials say the trouble began after the Serbian central bank revoked the operating licence of Alta Belgrade last weekend amid concerns over liquidity. The NBRM says it is waiting to hear from Serbian authorities whether they will offer the shares for sale or whether the Macedonian central bank must take further steps. The governor has said there are six interested parties and that meetings have already been held with two banks.

Meanwhile many customers remain in uncertainty about payroll and benefits payments for October, and businesses with exposure to Alta Bank are operating with restrictions until ownership and regulatory steps are clarified.

Photo: press material from the event