The Prudential Authority of the SA Reserve Bank on Friday launched court proceedings for the liquidation of Habib Overseas Bank, which was placed under curatorship in March.
In-depth assessments and analysis undertaken by the curator found that Habib Overseas Bank's financial position was significantly worse than that reported by the bank's management. The findings by the curator concluded that the bank was insolvent. Last year investigative journalism outfit amaBhungane reported that the bank appeared to have been used by a money laundering syndicate to spirit funds overseas. Habib told the group it was the victim of an"unscrupulous client acting in concert and colluding with some staff members".