Worried Syrians withdraw bank deposits - FT.com

Continuing protests are intensifying pressure on the Syrian economy, as new figures show nearly 10 per cent of deposits in the country’s banking system were withdrawn during the first four months of 2011.

The equivalent of $2.6bn was withdrawn between January and April this year, according to figures released by the Syrian Central Bank earlier this week.

Bankers in Lebanon say rumours of capital flight out of Syria in to the Lebanese banking system are exaggerated, although some admit recent patterns in deposit growth in Lebanon could suggest some relationship with the situation in Syria.

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