3 Georgian NGOs - “Position”, “Young Barristers” and “Association of Young Financiers and Businessmen - AYFB” agreed to start new civic movement “Banks Affect Us” from September, 2015. The initiative, offered by “Position”, considers that unfair and discriminatory actions of Banks against their customers must be stopped and Georgian banking sector should be returned in the scope of established legality. This view is supported by “Young Barristers” and “AYFB”. The latter has good experience of working in the banking field. Accordingly, “Young Barristers” will provide legal analysis of the issue in September and “AYFB” in turn will represent economic assessment. Therefore, three NGOs, along with the citizens, will launch a new campaign: “Banks Affect Us”.
Guram Adamashvili, a Head of the organization “Position” made a special statement regarding the movement on July 14, 2015. Any citizen, who believes, that Georgian Banks treat their customers dishonestly and establishes fettering conditions for loans can join civic movement that will be started by NGOs in September, 2015. The coalition believes, that not only the percentage of consumer loan is inadequately high, but the mechanism of withdrawal is not relevant as well. Representatives from the so called Problem Debt Departments threaten and blackmail insolvent citizens rather than finding ways for problem resolution. Currently, banking business remains to be most profitable business in Georgia and this is all due to the plundering policy implemented towards their customers.
The coalition believes, that in the circumstances, when unemployment in the country is high, national currency has been devaluated and economic situation in the country remains fragile, the banks should express their solidarity to the citizens, rather than imposing especially strict and discriminatory unfair and fettering conditions for loans. Such an attitude on behalf of banks is harming family development and strengthening as well; newly-married couples can’t take loans or credits in order to purchase their own flats and this also causes some problems between wife and husband and others, who had no choice but to sell their homes are left in street.
The NGOs believe that taking active steps is the only way for problem resolution. As long as the Government can’t force banking sector to reduce inadequately high percentage on credits, (Because of legislation) the only way to force banks act decently is to start civic movement.
Every citizen who thinks, that bank has treated him/her dishonestly can register on the official web page of the organization “Position” (www.position.ge) and express his/her involvement in the movement.
