Non-governmental organization the “Young Barristers” held a meeting with the executive officer of “Association of Banks of Georgia” – Zurab Gvasalia. The meeting aimed to evaluate the problems between commercial banks and the citizens, as well as discuss the position of the organization whether the Georgian banks violate human rights in Georgia or not. The meeting paid attention to issuing personal information by banks to JSC “Kreditinfo Georgia”, types of cases between banks and the customers, the interest rate of mortgage loans, contents of contracts with the banks and various discriminatory approaches.
The “Young Barristers “are interested in authorities and competences of “Association of Banks of Georgia”. The organization has been informed on about the activities of ethic committee of the association that deals with the cases between private banks only. The organization introduced an idea of implementing an institute of mediation to solve cases between the customers and banks. During the dialogue with the association of banks, the organization introduced concrete cases as well.
As stated by the representatives of association of banks of Georgia, problems between the customers and banks exist indeed. However, the issue must not be generalized and lose individuality. Therefore, the association does not agree with the “Young Barristers”, as if banks violate human rights in Georgia.
The organization introduced a position to the association, connected to a civil campaign, in frames of which the citizens will be massively informed with information, on what demands must customers defend while getting into a contractual relationship with banks. In addition to this, association of banks of Georgia has been informed about a research, which will comprehensively study and present the problematic issues between banks and citizens, will develop recommendations and publish the results in order to affect the executive and legislative bodies. From this point of view, the organization aims to create judicial precedents as well.
The “Young Barristers” and “Association of banks of Georgia” agreed on continuing the institutional dialogue on this issue. The organization will present a questionnaire to the association and will discuss the received feedback as a professional view.
While working on a mechanism of identifying and eliminating problems between banks and the customers, along with representatives of banks, the organization is planning to hold meetings with experts of economical sphere as well.
For your information: The “Young Barristers” held the meeting with the “Association of Banks of Georgia” as a resulf of an official letter of February 10th 2014, which clearly stated that banks of Georgia violate human rights.
