Bank closure leaves Cyprus businesses high and dry

[March 23, 2013]  NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) -- At Jenny Dobreva's a convenience store, a customer comes up to get a lighter. She apologetically turns him away. It's not because he doesn't have enough money -- it's because she doesn't have enough change.

Such scenes are happening everywhere in Cyprus, one of the many everyday problems that are having a crippling effect on the economy as a bailout crisis keeps banks closed for more than a week. While ATMs still function and people can get cash, they run out frequently. More and more stores no longer accept credit and debit card payments. Businesses have found themselves unable to pay suppliers or their employees -- and few people want to shop in a crisis like this.

The mounting problems are slowly stifling this country of just over 800,000 people.

The banks have been shuttered since last weekend as frantic politicians try to avert a run on savings while they come up with a better plan to stave off bankruptcy than the one imposed by international creditors: seizing part of bank deposits. The idea that suddenly the state could dip into people's accounts and just take their money sparked outrage and fear. Not a single lawmaker voted in favor of the bill when it was brought to parliament.

Limiting access to funds as an alternative was sought was essential to prevent mass withdrawals that would trigger a brutal banking collapse.

But it's all left businesses across the country in the lurch.

Everyone from shops and restaurants to taxi drivers normally get bags of coins each morning when they deposit their previous day's takings. But these days that's impossible. Then there is merchandise stock to be paid for, orders to be filled, wages to be settled, fuel tanks to be filled -- all commonplace transactions that are now blocked.

"When the banks are closed, it's like we are the living dead," said florist Stelios Stylianou, tidying a colorful window display of large flowering plants in the usually bustling old town. "We can't make any withdrawals, we can't make deposits, pay our suppliers ... They have to open because it's causing a huge problem."

But the earliest that will happen is Tuesday.

As ATMs quickly run out, frustrated customers try machine after machine in a desperate search for cash. On Thursday night, the country's troubled second largest lender, Cyprus Popular Bank, or Laiki, imposed a 260 euro daily withdrawal limit, down from about 700 euros, after depositors swarmed its ATMs when it became clear the bank would be restructured, and rumors swirled it might even shut down completely.

Merchants have also started turning away credit cards. By Friday morning, some retail stores and coffee shops had handwritten notes taped up by the till: "Cash only please!" Complaints that gas stations were insisting on cash only transactions prompted Gas Stations Association head Stefanos Stefanou to issue a statement saying there was no fuel shortage, and that 260 of the country's 280 gas stations were accepting credit cards.

But not everyone has a credit or debit card. In a country where the little bank book is still widely used to withdraw or deposit money, especially by the older generation, some have been left without any access to their accounts.

"I don't use a card so I can't get any money," said Panagiota Sakka, surveying the shelves of bottles in the wine shop where she has worked for decades. She hasn't been spending on anything other than food.

Even those who do use plastic are being frugal. Uncertain about when they'll be able to withdraw cash again -- or even whether their bank will still be around next week -- few people are buying anything more than bare essentials.

"The ATMs are putting out money, but who's going to spend it?" said Totis Pelecanos, whose shoe shop in the center of the old town usually does a brisk trade, especially during the midday lunch hour. These days, customers don't even bother going in to browse.

"I think people are really, really scared of the actual environment we are going through today, and basically, they are hanging onto their savings, just for the basics like food."

It's been a bad week. The last time Pelecanos sold anything was last Friday.

The bank closures have also caused difficulties with imports and exports. At home, businesses are well aware of the situation and therefore willing to extend credit or delay payments. Overseas supplies are much less so: "The big problem is abroad, where businesses and suppliers don't have the same tolerance for late payments," said Cyprus Chamber of Commerce head Fidias Pilidis.

Sergey Vyurkov, managing director of the Elysion Ship Management company based in the southern city of Limassol, knows that only too well.

"For our business it's a very difficult time," he said. With ships traveling across the world, fees have to be paid or ships don't get serviced, and sometimes can't leave port.

"We have to support our ships every day, always. We have to pay for the crew, for the fuel, for the port duty," he said. "We cannot stop because it is a world market and we cannot lose our reputation."

Near the convenience store where Dobreva works, all businesses are having struggles with change. But there's solidarity. Dobreva recently counted hard-won coins she got by running around nearby cafes and shops and relying on the generosity of those who had some to spare.

"This is a big problem," said Dobreva. "Now nobody has change. I run to colleagues, here and there, and if they have any they give me."

[Associated Press; By ELENA BECATOROS]

Aleksandar Ljubojevic contributed from Limassol, Cyprus.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.