Greece wants to start charging people for cash withdrawals to prevent a run on banks

Greece wants to start charging people for cash withdrawals to prevent a run on banks - Business News - Business - The Independent

The cash-strapped Greek government has introduced a surcharge at cashpoints to prevent Greek citizens from withdrawing their cash.

Government ministers told The Times they hope to raise €180 million, or €1 for every €1000 transaction, through the scheme, though they are yet to get European Central Bank approval for it to go ahead.
A senior finance ministry official said: “The surcharge is just one of a grab-bag of measures we are considering if things get tough.”

Withdrawals exceeded €15 billion in the run up to the February elections that catapulted Alexis Tsipras and the far-left Syriza government to power. Greek residents were reported to have stashed wads of money behind bathroom tiles and under floorboards.