2015-01-01
The Palestine Monetary Authority issued Circular No. 162/2015 to formally notify all operating banks of the closure of the HSBC Middle East Limited Branch in Ramallah effective December 31, 2015. The circular mandates that the branch's final deadline for processing interbank check clearing is December 28, 2015, after which only the settlement of returned and dishonored checks will be permitted through December 31. Remittance operations will continue uninterrupted until further instructions are provided, and all banks are directed to implement the necessary internal adjustments accordingly.
Circular No. (162/2015)
To all banks operating in Palestine
Date: Sunday, December 13, 2015
Subject: Termination of Operations of HSBC Middle East Limited Branch
In light of the approval by the Management Board of the Palestine Monetary Authority to terminate the operations of the HSBC Middle East Limited Branch in Ramallah, and the consequent cessation of providing banking services and receiving clients on the closure date of 31/12/2015, and the end of its participation in clearing sessions managed by the Authority, we hereby inform you of the following:
The date 28/12/2015 will serve as the final deadline for the bank branch to send and receive checks submitted for clearing that must be settled with all banks, noting that no checks will be accepted for clearing after this date.
The bank branch's participation in clearing sessions on 29/12/2015, 30/12/2015, and 31/12/2015 will be limited solely to the delivery, receipt, and settlement of returned and dishonored checks.
The bank branch will continue to receive and send remittances until further instructions are issued on this matter.
Accordingly, we request that you take the necessary measures on your end.
Deputy Governor
for Financial Stability Affairs
Supervision and Inspection Department
Ramallah - Palestine P.O. Box 452 | Tel: +970 2 2415250 | Fax: +970 2 2409922 | Max: +970 2 2409922
Gaza - Palestine P.O. Box 4026 | Tel: +970 8 2825292 | Fax: +970 8 2844487 | Max: +970 8 2844487
Email: info@pma.ps