StanChart account freeze sparks anger

Standard Chartered Bank has frozen several bank accounts that have received large deposits and also advised its clients that with immediate effect, ID verification will be carried out at all its automated teller machines countrywide.

It was the first time accounts have been frozen in connection with changes in transaction patterns and the measures has left its biggest opprobrium from its client who has described the unilateral decrees as draconian.

Standard Chartered corporate affairs manager Lillian Hapanyengi said yesterday that she was out of office returning on June 11 and referred all inquiries to Zivai Ziweya and Gift Murashiki who could not be reached.