The Houthis announced today, Friday, a ban on dealing with 13 local banks, following a decision by the Yemeni central bank, which is managed by the government, to stop transactions with 6 banks that did not suspend their banking dealings with the Houthis. The banks banned by the Houthis are: Al-Qutaybi Islamic Microfinance Bank, Al-Basiri Microfinance Bank, Aden Islamic Microfinance Bank, Aden First Islamic Bank, Yemeni National Bank - Aden, Agricultural Cooperative Credit Bank of Aden, and Al-Shumool Islamic Microfinance Bank.
The list also includes: Al-Salam Capital Islamic Microfinance Bank, Tamkeen Microfinance Bank, Al-Inma Microfinance Bank, Al-Sharq Yemeni Islamic Microfinance Bank, Hadhramaut Commercial Bank, and Ben Dool Islamic Microfinance Bank.
Yesterday, Thursday, the government-managed Yemeni central bank issued a decision to stop dealings with 6 banks and financial institutions, namely: Islamic Solidarity Bank, Yemen & Kuwait Bank, Yemen and Bahrain Comprehensive Bank, Al-Amal Microfinance Bank, Al-Kirimi Islamic Microfinance Bank, and Yemen International Bank.
The central bank accused the mentioned banks of failing to comply with legal provisions and the bank's instructions, not meeting anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing requirements, and continuing to deal with a group classified as terrorist. The decision noted that the mentioned banks are continuing to follow their instructions in violation of banking operating rules and legal provisions and central bank instructions.
The central bank's decision in Aden came as the deadline set by the central bank for the banks in the capital, Sana'a, under Houthi control to transfer their headquarters to the city of Aden is nearing; the deadline is set for June 2.
