SOCU leaks worry Central Bank
… brings sector in disrepute, undermines public trust – Governor
(REPRINTED: Guyana Times) The Bank of Guyana (BoG) is extremely concerned over revelations this past weekend that confidential banking information had been leaked to the press and was widely published.
![BoG Governor, Dr Gobin Ganga](http://i0.wp.com/www.guyana-times.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Dr-2.jpg?zoom=2&resize=200%2C300)
BoG Governor,
Dr Gobin Ganga
Bank of Guyana Governor, Dr Gobin Ganga, made this disclosure on Tuesday during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times.
Over the weekend sections of the media had published the bank account numbers of embattled Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency, Omar Shariff.
Included in that publication of Shariff’s banking information, are the bank account numbers for 14 accounts, along with a summary of its balances and withdrawals. The published information also pointed to several asset holdings for Shariff, including shares in a number of local organisations, including shares owned in two local banks and Banks DIH Limited.
Speaking to Guyana Times, Dr Ganga said that while the Bankers Association is likely to make a formal pronouncement on the matter shortly, as Central Bank Governor he is “very worried” since the divulged information can only serve to bring the entire banking sector into disrepute.
Dr Ganga reiterated earlier concerns articulated by sections of the banking community with respect to the sharing of its information with State agencies such as the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).
The matter was raised during recent consultations held on the draft State Asset Recovery Bill when representatives of the banking industry had questioned the security of the confidential information being passed onto agencies such as SOCU and State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU).
![SOCU head, Dr Clive Thomas](http://i1.wp.com/www.guyana-times.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Clive-Thomas.jpg?zoom=2&resize=188%2C300)
SOCU head, Dr Clive Thomas