Правительство Антигуа и Барбуды вводит механизм изъятия спящих банковских депозитов для финансирования развития

Government Moves to Unlock Millions in Abandoned Bank Deposits By Editorial Staff Writer The government has amended the Banking Act to establish a new framework for handling abandoned bank deposits and property left in safe deposit boxes. Prime Minister Gaston Browne told Parliament on Tuesday that the changes are intended to place long-idle funds into productive use while preserving the right of depositors, beneficiaries and estate representatives to recover money that can later be proven to belong to them. Under the previous system, abandoned property was transferred to the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) after approximately 10 years and could eventually be treated as forfeited after 20 years. Browne said the amended law will allow unclaimed funds to be transferred to the government, but the original owner or a lawful beneficiary will retain the right to make a claim even after the money has been used. “Even if the funds are utilised, the depositors will have a claim into perpetuity for the deposit,” Browne said. He explained that the change would apply in cases where an account holder had died and a relative or estate representative later produced evidence showing that the money belonged to the estate. “Provided that beneficiary or representative of the estate can prove that those funds belong to the estate, then the funds can be claimed,” he told the House. Browne said there are approximately US$48 million in unclaimed deposits across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union that have remained inactive for more than 30 years. He also said Antigua and Barbuda accounts for about EC$38 million of that amount. The Prime Minister suggested that if the ECCB retained a portion to meet future claims, the balance could be transferred to the government and used for development. “If the Central Bank says, ‘We want to hold on to five million of it for any claims,’ that’s fine. You give us 33 million,” Browne said. “There are lots of things that we can do with that 33 million rather than having the money sitting idly.” The amended law also addresses property left in safe deposit boxes. Browne said items that remain unclaimed after the prescribed period could be forfeited to the Crown and sold by public auction. The proceeds would then be placed in a Safe Deposit Box Liquidation Fund and held for a further 10 years to allow any owner or beneficiary to make a claim. He said the legislation was not intended to permanently deprive people of their property. “We’re not trying to confiscate people’s money. We’re not trying to steal people’s money,” Browne said. “We are trying to unlock idle money and to use that money for the development of our respective countries.” The Banking Amendment Bill 2026 was passed through its second and third readings during Tuesday’s sitting. The legislation also provides a process for claimants to submit evidence of their interest in abandoned property transferred to the government or proceeds deposited into the liquidation fund.