Their assets went down 50%just in the first two quarters. Compared to 12.2017. They are still blocking a lot of funds of account holders.
Rietumu - for all victims of fraudulent account closure and theft of funds
- Thread starter globalconsultancy
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Yes worse looks to be over as I said and their assets outflow actually stabilized between Q1 and Q2 with a slight increase in assets actually. Unless trend reverts in Q3 then I don't see any issues. In fact their balance sheet is solid and liquidity very high. The bank is highly liquid and well capitalized it is better financially than 99% of banks if you go through their balance sheets. They are more profitable︀ than last year in fact and still the 2nd biggest bank in Latvia I believe.︁
However they have destroyed their reputation so have no were no go to recover it.︂ Perhaps they will change their name like their fellow laundering house Baltikums Bank did to︃ BlueOrange Bank to rid themselves of the same past issues and start a new page︄ 😉.
However they have destroyed their reputation so have no were no go to recover it.︂ Perhaps they will change their name like their fellow laundering house Baltikums Bank did to︃ BlueOrange Bank to rid themselves of the same past issues and start a new page︄ 😉.
Hi all,
I am also a Rietumu victim, unfortunately i have found this forum too late.
could we please get in touch?
Is there any update regarding the class suit against Rietumu?
Did any of you contact the Ombudsman and/or FKTK- FCMC - "Financial and Capital Market Commission" in Latvia, if yes, what did they answer?
Did any of you managed to get the unreasonably high fees or at least a part of it back from the Rietumu bank ?
I am also a Rietumu victim, unfortunately i have found this forum too late.
could we please get in touch?
Is there any update regarding the class suit against Rietumu?
Did any of you contact the Ombudsman and/or FKTK- FCMC - "Financial and Capital Market Commission" in Latvia, if yes, what did they answer?
Did any of you managed to get the unreasonably high fees or at least a part of it back from the Rietumu bank ?
Hi all,
Do somebody know, where can i find the regulations states, how the bank must inform
the client regarding tariff changes, i cant believe that, they can multiplicate their fees as they want, and do not inform their customers. If you disagree, They will just let you know that they posted a price update somewhere on their website and will send you an automated message.
the answer from the bank:
"Dear Client,
As you had noticed, 'Low activityfee' was introducedbythe Bank on May 1 2017 (this information can be found in the "News" section of the Bank'swebsite - Rietumu Banka - for business and︀ private banking. Get more from bank accounts, credit cards, term deposits and investments ). Bank,︁ unfortunately, is unable to waive the fees accrued for the low-activity on the account."
i never checked this news section and also did not log in the internetbank 6 months︂ long. eventuelly as i logged in, i noticed they charged my 1350EUR in this 6︃ months period for maintence costs.
I am preparing a letter to report this situation including︄ unreasonably high fees to the Latvian money and capital commission FKTK and EU commission and︅ also for the Ombudsman.
Do somebody know, where can i find the regulations states, how the bank must inform
the client regarding tariff changes, i cant believe that, they can multiplicate their fees as they want, and do not inform their customers. If you disagree, They will just let you know that they posted a price update somewhere on their website and will send you an automated message.
the answer from the bank:
"Dear Client,
As you had noticed, 'Low activityfee' was introducedbythe Bank on May 1 2017 (this information can be found in the "News" section of the Bank'swebsite - Rietumu Banka - for business and︀ private banking. Get more from bank accounts, credit cards, term deposits and investments ). Bank,︁ unfortunately, is unable to waive the fees accrued for the low-activity on the account."
i never checked this news section and also did not log in the internetbank 6 months︂ long. eventuelly as i logged in, i noticed they charged my 1350EUR in this 6︃ months period for maintence costs.
I am preparing a letter to report this situation including︄ unreasonably high fees to the Latvian money and capital commission FKTK and EU commission and︅ also for the Ombudsman.
Could you please tell me where can i find the laws, which regulate the unilateral contract modification of a Financial Institution (Bank) against their customers?
As far as I know the customer must be informed from the bank directly in writing, by mail or at least by SMS.
My Issue is that Rietumu Bank charged me about 1400EUR, because they introduced the low activity fee of 200EUR/month starting of 01st of Mai 2017, what i noticed only 6 months later, because i didn`t log in in the internet bank before.
When i reported the problem, and told them, that i disagree, they just have let︀ me know that they posted a price update in the "News" section of the Bank'swebsite︁ (https://www.rietumu.com)
Is this legally sufficient to inform the customers about tariff changes?
Can I sue the bank regarding this unfounded high fees in court with a civil dispute︂ if the legal relation is already terminated?
As far as I know the customer must be informed from the bank directly in writing, by mail or at least by SMS.
My Issue is that Rietumu Bank charged me about 1400EUR, because they introduced the low activity fee of 200EUR/month starting of 01st of Mai 2017, what i noticed only 6 months later, because i didn`t log in in the internet bank before.
When i reported the problem, and told them, that i disagree, they just have let︀ me know that they posted a price update in the "News" section of the Bank'swebsite︁ (https://www.rietumu.com)
Is this legally sufficient to inform the customers about tariff changes?
Can I sue the bank regarding this unfounded high fees in court with a civil dispute︂ if the legal relation is already terminated?
Look in this thread or another thread on Rietumu on this forum. Some people did some statements on these changes in tariffs several months ago. I agree with you that Rietumu acted wrong and is a bunch of lowlife crooks but to sue them will cost you a multiple of the 1400 Euro you lost with no guarantee on the outcome. As with any non 1st tier bank in the world: logon regularly to avoid surprises of any kind. Many people cut their losses and just went on. Do you still have funds with them?
I lost access to my US company's account with Rietumu in July 2017 after my access device was destroyed in a fire.
Lack of access to the banking system prevented me from reading any of the messages sent via the banking system. Some of those messages were critically important. They have a contact phone number and email which they could have sent important messages to. I was in contact with my personal banker via email with regards to sending documentation to regain access by activating a new access device, but not once did he mention any other urgent actions required to maintain my account. I︀ made four prior attempts in providing documentation to the bank to activate the device (the︁ people assisting were incredibly unhelpful), finally succeeding on the fifth attempt in November 2018, which︂ is when I logged in for the first time after a year.
My company's account︃ was terminated and the money was moved to a holding account. Over 20 000 €︄ was deducted (5k € a month for holding account penalty fee) and 200 € a︅ month was deducted since 2017 for low account activity.
My company has been banking with︆ them since 2006 and is an entirely transparent student consulting company fully KYC/AML compliant and︇ we always sent customer passport copies and invoices to the bank on request.
Fortunately we︈ have a US Bank account and also use Transferwise. Our Rietumu account made it easier︉ for our mostly European clients to pay us in GBP and EUR hence our reason︊ for holding an account there.
I requested a refund and they declined. I'm keen on︋ taking this further. Sorry to hear about everyone's losses. Regardless of all the legalities Rietumu︌ legitimizes this unfair practice with, the bottom line is that its robbery and I think︍ its worth pursuing this matter collectively.
Lack of access to the banking system prevented me from reading any of the messages sent via the banking system. Some of those messages were critically important. They have a contact phone number and email which they could have sent important messages to. I was in contact with my personal banker via email with regards to sending documentation to regain access by activating a new access device, but not once did he mention any other urgent actions required to maintain my account. I︀ made four prior attempts in providing documentation to the bank to activate the device (the︁ people assisting were incredibly unhelpful), finally succeeding on the fifth attempt in November 2018, which︂ is when I logged in for the first time after a year.
My company's account︃ was terminated and the money was moved to a holding account. Over 20 000 €︄ was deducted (5k € a month for holding account penalty fee) and 200 € a︅ month was deducted since 2017 for low account activity.
My company has been banking with︆ them since 2006 and is an entirely transparent student consulting company fully KYC/AML compliant and︇ we always sent customer passport copies and invoices to the bank on request.
Fortunately we︈ have a US Bank account and also use Transferwise. Our Rietumu account made it easier︉ for our mostly European clients to pay us in GBP and EUR hence our reason︊ for holding an account there.
I requested a refund and they declined. I'm keen on︋ taking this further. Sorry to hear about everyone's losses. Regardless of all the legalities Rietumu︌ legitimizes this unfair practice with, the bottom line is that its robbery and I think︍ its worth pursuing this matter collectively.
@wunluv
i didnt get/find your post in my profile page
Please write a email to the following adress [email protected], than i can forward you the answer what i got from an latvian lawyer and from the
Financial and Capital Market Commission
1 Kungu street, Riga, LV-1050
i didnt get/find your post in my profile page
Please write a email to the following adress [email protected], than i can forward you the answer what i got from an latvian lawyer and from the
Financial and Capital Market Commission
1 Kungu street, Riga, LV-1050
Financial and Capital Market Commission
Adress: 1 Kungu street, Riga, LV-1050
e-mail: [email protected]
Phone: + (371) 6 7774800
Riga 21.12.2018
Nr. 05.01.06/4783
Miklos Tamas
[email protected]
Response to the application
Dear Mr Tamas,
The Financial and Capital Market Commission (hereinafter – the Commission) received your application dated 20.11.2018. on the activities of JSC Rietumu Banka (hereinafter – the Bank).
Please be informed, that in accordance with Section 60, Paragraph 1 of the Credit Institution Law relationships between a credit institution and a client shall be regulated by the law and by the contracts that have been entered into. The Law does not confer upon the Commission any rights to interfere in the credit institution and client relationships, as well as the︀ Commission is not responsible for regulating the contract amendment procedure by means of laws or︁ regulations.
At the Commission's disposal there is information that usually the terms of the amendment︂ of the agreement concluded between bank and a client are specified in the agreement itself.︃
In addition the Commission is of the opinion that credit institutions are eligible to specify︄ commission fees on their services, and in view that those services are not qualified as︅ public services, they are not subject to the public regulation on prices (tariffs) and their︆ use.
If you are qualified as consumer, you may refer to Consumer Rights Protection Center︇ (www.ptac.gov.lv; [email protected]) regarding pre - contractual information obligation provided for agreements concluded︈ with consumers.
If you consider that you have suffered damage as a result of the︉ Bank's activities or its employees' behavior (also in the past), you have the right to︊ protection in court of your infringed or disputed civil rights, or interests protected by law︋ under the Civil Procedure Law of the Republic of Latvia (i.e. Section 1).
Yours sincerely,︌
Gunta Razāne
Deputy Chairwoman
Financial and Capital Market Commission
S. Zelča;
+371 6777 4800
[email protected]
Adress: 1 Kungu street, Riga, LV-1050
e-mail: [email protected]
Phone: + (371) 6 7774800
Riga 21.12.2018
Nr. 05.01.06/4783
Miklos Tamas
[email protected]
Response to the application
Dear Mr Tamas,
The Financial and Capital Market Commission (hereinafter – the Commission) received your application dated 20.11.2018. on the activities of JSC Rietumu Banka (hereinafter – the Bank).
Please be informed, that in accordance with Section 60, Paragraph 1 of the Credit Institution Law relationships between a credit institution and a client shall be regulated by the law and by the contracts that have been entered into. The Law does not confer upon the Commission any rights to interfere in the credit institution and client relationships, as well as the︀ Commission is not responsible for regulating the contract amendment procedure by means of laws or︁ regulations.
At the Commission's disposal there is information that usually the terms of the amendment︂ of the agreement concluded between bank and a client are specified in the agreement itself.︃
In addition the Commission is of the opinion that credit institutions are eligible to specify︄ commission fees on their services, and in view that those services are not qualified as︅ public services, they are not subject to the public regulation on prices (tariffs) and their︆ use.
If you are qualified as consumer, you may refer to Consumer Rights Protection Center︇ (www.ptac.gov.lv; [email protected]) regarding pre - contractual information obligation provided for agreements concluded︈ with consumers.
If you consider that you have suffered damage as a result of the︉ Bank's activities or its employees' behavior (also in the past), you have the right to︊ protection in court of your infringed or disputed civil rights, or interests protected by law︋ under the Civil Procedure Law of the Republic of Latvia (i.e. Section 1).
Yours sincerely,︌
Gunta Razāne
Deputy Chairwoman
Financial and Capital Market Commission
S. Zelča;
+371 6777 4800
[email protected]
Thanks for posting the reply here Marius and for making the effort to follow through on this.
I'm wondering if we could gather as a collective and create videos to post on social sites like youtube and vimeo, where we give an account of our experience with Rietumu? We could then include a collection of videos and testimonials submitted by people effected by Rietumu's unfair policies in a simple website created for this purpose. My sense is that in terms of hours invested in getting the funds returned, we may get more traction with this approach as compared to the regular legal channels. There is︀ a possibility that Rietumu may offer compensation in exchange for taking down our reviews and︁ complaints. Just an idea. Any thoughts or interest?
I'm wondering if we could gather as a collective and create videos to post on social sites like youtube and vimeo, where we give an account of our experience with Rietumu? We could then include a collection of videos and testimonials submitted by people effected by Rietumu's unfair policies in a simple website created for this purpose. My sense is that in terms of hours invested in getting the funds returned, we may get more traction with this approach as compared to the regular legal channels. There is︀ a possibility that Rietumu may offer compensation in exchange for taking down our reviews and︁ complaints. Just an idea. Any thoughts or interest?
Hello,
I am the victim of Rietumu. I want transfer out all the money but they still keep my money under Due Dilligence.
They frozen my account and after that they closed my account and then took all my money out using unreasonably high fee.
Is there anyone who has managed to recover his money?
I am the victim of Rietumu. I want transfer out all the money but they still keep my money under Due Dilligence.
They frozen my account and after that they closed my account and then took all my money out using unreasonably high fee.
Is there anyone who has managed to recover his money?
Actually there should be alot of people who already finished this story with Rietumu bank. I know few people who already did that, but they all had to pay the bank % of the amount on their accounts or leave a deposit. Also this "due dilligance" is the thing which you really need to pass since they wont︀ offer you any options to leave without it.
I know several persons who got their money out either using a lawyer or they just waited the whole due diligence process and signed the paper to be able to transfer out the money after of course more exorbitant ridiculous fees. But most got it out like 6 months ago.
One year anniversary since Rietumu Banka froze 4000 clients and charged crazy rates and fees to finally release the funds of the client accounts. I also wonder how many of these clients use to be clients of Swedbank that moved their capital to Rietumu Banka back in 2015? The reason I ask is because of the money laundering investigation ongoing in Swedbank and the lack of evidence due to the off-loading of clients back in 2015. This leads me to think Rietumu pulled the same stunt as Swedbank except they would capitalize on their efforts knowing full well some of the 2015 clients had a︀ dodgy back ground. At the end of the day the majority of Rietumu clients became︁ collateral damage to this scam.
I also wonder how long one of the ex-employees of︂ Rietumu can keep this a secret.
I also wonder how long one of the ex-employees of︂ Rietumu can keep this a secret.
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