CrediaBank 'falsely denied' that shareholder is facing prosecution: Momentum
Party calls on Greek bank poised to acquire HSBC Malta to be transparent
CrediaBank has been accused of "falsely denying" that one of their shareholders is facing prosecution in Greece.
The bank has been chosen as the preferred bidder to take over HSBC's operations in Malta.
In a statement, Momentum flagged how Greek Movement for Democracy politician Stefanos Kasselakis said the bank had deliberately misinformed the public by falsely asserting that no criminal prosecution is pending against their shareholder Alexandros Exarchou.
Momentum said it is public knowledge that Exarchou, who is a shareholder of CrediaBank via another company called Thrivest, is among the 23 individuals formally indicted by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).
The party said Exarchou has already appeared before the competent Investigating Magistrate, even filing a motion for her recusal.
Momentum treasurer Carmel Asciak said a serious banking institution has to act in full transparency.
"If what is revealed by the Greek Movement for Democracy is confirmed, CrediaBank have started their Malta venture on the wrong footing. We hope that such an attitude does not persist.
"Journalists and the Maltese public have to be given full disclosure with regards to information about CrediaBank," Asciak said.
The bank claimed in a statement to Times of Malta on Saturday that it is facing "malicious attempts" to derail its takeover of HSBC. That statement cited allegations made about Exarchou but made no reference to him being indicted by the EPPO.