DUI demands full list of public funds and decision criteria for accounts at Alta Bank

The Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) has demanded that the Government and the Ministry of Finance publish a full inventory of public-sector accounts held at Alta Bank, including exact amounts, account opening dates, legal grounds and the names of officials responsible for placing those funds.

DUI wants transparency on exposure and decision rules

In a statement, the party asked which criteria public institutions and state-owned companies used when choosing Alta Bank as their banking partner and who approved those decisions. DUI questioned whether selections were based on independent financial assessments and transparent procedures, or whether political influence played a role.

"What particularly worries us is the question of how much of public funds are located in Alta Bank and on what criteria institutions and public enterprises decided to use its services. Who decided, who approved those decisions and who assessed the financial exposure of public funds? Was the selection of the bank the result of independent financial assessments and transparent procedures or was there political influence on the institutions' decisions? Were the risks associated with the bank's ownership structure analysed? Were there warnings and, if so, who received them and how did they act on them?" the party said.

DUI argued the case raises broader questions about the management of public money, the financial safety of state institutions and potential links between political choices and banking interests. The party pointed to ongoing proceedings against the owner of the parent bank in Serbia and allegations of financial misuse that are under investigation there.

The party called on the National Bank of North Macedonia to explain its supervisory actions and risk assessments, and urged the Public Prosecutor's Office to investigate whether the routing of public funds involved unlawful influence, abuse of office or conflicts of interest. DUI also asked the Government and Ministry of Finance to publish a complete overview of state institutions, public enterprises and other state-controlled entities that held funds in Alta Bank, specifying exact amounts, dates when accounts were opened, the legal basis and the names of responsible persons.

Their demand follows moves by the central bank after the National Bank of Serbia announced on Saturday that it had revoked the licence of Alta Bank AD Belgrade because of a serious deterioration in its financial position and the risk of further liquidity problems. Because of the ownership link, the National Bank of North Macedonia introduced temporary administration in Alta Bank AD Bitola and imposed restrictions on customers.

Under the restrictions, individuals face a weekly cash withdrawal and card payment limit of 10,000 denars, while internal transfers between accounts within the bank remain unrestricted. Legal entities can make unlimited internal transfers within the bank but cannot transfer funds to other banks, nor withdraw cash from ATMs or branch counters. Borrowers must continue to meet their repayment obligations on time.

DUI said that the introduction of temporary administration and limitations on the bank’s operations require immediate institutional review, particularly because of the uncertainty public institutions and companies now face in their financial operations. Citizens, the party added, have the right to full information and accountability; any responsibility should be established on the basis of documents and facts and those who made decisions as well as those charged with oversight should be held to account.

Photo: press material from the event