NBRM and PIOM: Pension payments a priority after Alta Bank issues
NBRM, PIOM and the pensioners' union met to coordinate steps that will allow uninterrupted pension disbursements and to explain how pensioners can change banks.
The National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia (NBRM) and the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund (PIOM) told pensioners on Thursday that disbursing pensions remains a top priority while authorities work to resolve the situation at Alta Bank AD Bitola.
PIOM director Nikola Memov, NBRM governor Trajko Slaveski and Stanka Trakova, president of the Union of Pensioners' Associations of Macedonia, met at the NBRM headquarters to discuss measures aimed at ensuring uninterrupted pension payments and to update pensioners about options for changing the payment bank.
What pensioners need to know
“We understand the public's concern and the need for citizens to be able to access their funds, especially when it comes to pensions, salaries and money intended for everyday living expenses. I want to make it clear once again that clients' funds remain in their accounts at Alta Bank AD Bitola. The temporary restrictions concern the manner of accessing funds and were introduced to preserve the bank's liquidity and stability and to protect the interests of all its clients,” Governor Trajko Slaveski said.
Memov said the Fund continues to issue confirmations, without interruption, at all its branches to any pensioner who requests one; that document contains the pensioner's pension number and can be presented to the newly chosen payment provider (bank) where PIOM will arrange pension disbursement.
Pensioners who wish to change banks must individually deregister at the bank that currently pays their pension and then register at the new bank. Banks submit monthly lists of pensioners' transaction accounts to PIOM, and the Fund pays pensions based on those lists. The officials stressed there is no need to rush the change because ensuring pension payments is an NBRM priority.
“The National Bank is actively working to ensure that all pensioners who want to deregister from Alta Bank can do so within the next two weeks,” the meeting participants said. Local media reported crowds outside the Alta Bank branch in Bitola where several people reportedly fell ill and emergency medical teams intervened.
Photo: press material from the event
