Crowd at Alta Bank branch in Strumica — teller open but no cash available

A crowd formed this morning outside the Alta Bank branch in Strumica after customers discovered that teller counters were not dispensing cash. The branch remained open and the counter was staffed, but bank customers said there was no cash available for payments.

Those waiting told reporters they had arrived early to collect pensions, salaries and social transfers. Bank clients said the only option to withdraw funds was to use the ATM on site while staff awaited a cash delivery.

Customers say cash expected from Skopje

People at the branch said bank employees told them money would be brought from Skopje by van, and that until then payouts at the counter could not be completed. The queue included elderly pensioners and others depending on timely payments.

A woman who was waiting for her pension described the situation: "I've been waiting since seven. They said there was no cash at the counter and therefore it isn't being paid out. They were waiting for money to be brought from Skopje by a van. No one can explain it to you, and they said that from today money will be able to be withdrawn in Strumica."

At the time of the visit, there was no official statement from the branch explaining the shortage or giving a precise timetable for when cash deliveries would arrive. Customers said they remained in line hoping the delivery would arrive during the day.

Photo: SDK.MK)