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First Commercial Bank
The closure was announced on 25 August by El Salvador's Financial System Regulator (SSF in Spanish).
Víctor Ramírez, SSF head, indicated that the decision to close was made by the bank itself, adding that, "it is no longer in their interests to stay open since the original idea was to provide services to manufacturing companies but as this sector has suffered there is less incentive to stay".
Source: elsalvador.com
More on this topic
May 2011
The bank Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) argue that the main reason for the closure is the effects of the global economic crisis.
In October 2009 the bank had set up the office which was dedicated to providing services to importers, exporters, multinational and transnational companies as well as offering trade services, loans and foreign accounts.
August 2010
The banking regulator has requested shareholders to begin the liquidation process of the financial institution.
The head of Nicaragua's Banking and Finance Regulator (SIBOIF), Víctor Urcuyo, has said that the decision does not impact on the bank's customers since, "the vast majority have already received their money".
July 2010
The move will mean the closure of 10 branches and the loss of 50% of its staff.
Benjamín Vides, Chairman of the bank’s board of directors, indicated that the return of customers’ deposits forms part of this process since, according to Guatemalan legislation, a lending institution cannot hold deposits.
September 2010
French bank Societe Generale completely closed its operations in the country, where it maintained a representation office.
The reasons given by the bank is Panama´s inclusion on the list of tax havens in France.
An article in Prensa.com reports, "The Minister of Economy, Alberto Vallarino, said the bank followed a closing schedule which existed prior to Panama negotiating with France a treaty to avoid double taxation, but also said they would return when the country is out of the French listing.”