UT Bank, Capital Bank collapse: No panic withdrawals so far – BoG

There has not been any panic withdrawals at various branches of both Capital and UT Banks, following GCB Bank’s takeover of both banks, Bank of Ghana has indicated.
The Bank of Ghana confirmed the takeover of UT Bank and Capital Bank by GCB Bank in a statement on Monday morning, announcing that it had “approved a Purchase and Assumption transaction with GCB Bank Ltd that transfers all deposits and selected assets of UT Bank Ltd and Capital Bank Ltd to GCB Bank Ltd.”
Following the development, there have been reports customers rushed to branches of the bank in an attempt to check on their accounts.
The Head of Banking Supervision at Central Bank, Raymond Amanfu on Eyewitness News, however indicated that there had been no panic withdrawals so far.
“Reports I have did not show any panic withdrawals, we have some customers still depositing with the two banks so I think the overall report is positive.”
He explained that the Central Bank was left with no option than to authorize the GCB to take over the two banks adding that the move will yield “maximum benefits.”
He further clarified that the IMF was not pushing the Central Bank to take such a move, saying “we must understand that we have taken a step which was re-echoed and reemphasized by the IMF so let us not give the impression that it is the IMF that is pushing this down our throat.”
Licenses revoked, off Stock Exchange
Meanwhile the Bank of Ghana has revealed that it has also ‘revoked the Licences of UT Bank Ltd and Capital Bank Ltd.” explaining that “this action has become necessary due to severe impairment of their capital.”
The remaining assets and liabilities of the two banks will be realized and settled respectively through a receivership process to be undertaken by Messers Vish Ashiagbor and Eric Nana Nipah of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
According to the central bank the main offices and branches of UT Bank and Capital Bank will be under the control of GCB bank and will be opened at 1pm today for normal business transactions.
The Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) has also suspended the listing status of UT Bank following its collapse and subsequent takeover by GCB.
The GSE noted that the suspension had become necessary due to the revocation of UT Bank’s licence by the BoG.
The GSE also indicated that UT Bank has failed to publish its financial results since the end of its financial year December 31, 2015.