Some 1,000 Bank Branches to Open for 3 Days in Greece to Serve Retirees

Some 1,000 bank branches will help retirees who do not have bank cards to get their money.

ATHENS (Sputnik) – Approximately 1,000 bank branches will open throughout Greece for three days to serve retirees who do not have bank cards, the Greek Finance Ministry said in a statement Tuesday.

“On Wednesday, July 1, approximately 1,000 bank branches throughout the country will open for three days straight in order to serve retirees who do not have bank cards and are allowed to withdraw up to 120 euros in cash once for the duration of this week,” the Finance Ministry said.

The banks have also been instructed to immediately issue debit cards to all retirees so that they may withdraw funds of up to 60 euros a day like everyone else.

To save the country’s credit system, Greek authorities on Sunday established capital controls to limit financial transactions, closing banks for six business days beginning Monday.

Greece and international creditors remain deadlocked over how to resolve Athens' debt crisis, and the current bailout program expires Tuesday. The latest round of talks ended Saturday with no results.

Athens must deliver the next $1.7-billion payment on Tuesday to the International Monetary Fund, one of its major creditors. If the sides fail to reach a deal, Greece may default on its debt and be forced to exit the Eurozone.