Parliament to hold oversight hearing tomorrow on Alta Bank

Parliament will hold an oversight hearing tomorrow focused on Alta Bank, where MPs intend to establish why temporary administration was imposed on Alta Bank AD Bitola and to examine the conduct of the National Bank and other institutions.

Witnesses and questions

The National Bank has confirmed that Governor Trajko Slaveski will attend the session. Listed as speakers or witnesses are Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Finance Minister Dimitrievska Kochovska, Public Prosecutor Savski, Intelligence Agency director Gabriela Jakovleva, interim administrator of the bank Ilija Andonovski, former Skopje mayor Danela Arsovska, Natasha Savova as a member of Alta Bank's management team, Maja Shterieva, president of the Banking Association of North Macedonia, Trifun Kostovski (a shareholder in Eurostandard Bank), former governor Petar Goshev and about a dozen other people.

Opposition figures have demanded clarifications from the prime minister about his role in finding potential buyers for Alta Bank and about whom he contacted during that process.

Venko Filipche (SDSM)

"In recent days I have heard Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski say that he found buyers for Alta Bank. He found buyers for Alta Bank. In what capacity? What is Prime Minister Mickoski? A dealer, an intermediary, a finder of potential buyers of banks in our country. Since Governor Trajko Slaveski said he was informed about the entry of Alta Bank here with us, the first question that arises after that statement is whether the same person who now finds buyers for Alta Bank Skopje was the one who brought Alta Bank Serbia to us."

The government rejects the opposition's accusations and says that daily alarmist statements and the spread of what the authorities call falsehoods only harm the process of stabilising and rescuing the bank. A lawmaker from the ruling party said the banking sector is overseen by an independent body and that authorities responded appropriately to protect depositors.

Mile Levkov (MP, VMRO-DPMNE)

"The banking sector is led by an independent — apparently auditing — body, which is the National Bank, and it is independent from the government and looks after monetary policy. Over recent years it has shown that the NB does its job as it should. The other aspect is an imported crisis where Alta Bank is concerned. Here it is important whether banking authorities — the National Bank and the Government — responded, I would say correctly, to the crisis in a way that protected deposits and savers. The public can attest to that."

The National Bank placed Alta Bank under temporary administration ten days ago. The governor has said the bank continues to operate, remains liquid and is well capitalised. The temporary administration will remain in place until ownership changes. Meanwhile there has been speculation about several domestic and foreign banks interested in taking over Alta; according to the latest information an auction for the bank's shares that would formalise the sale is expected at the end of the month or early next month.

Photo: press material from the event