ECB: No capital controls for Greek banks in the works

Greek bank deposits have noted a significant outflow following the country’s failure to agree to an extension of its international bailout deal that expires on Feb. 28

Conservative German newspaper, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), reported on Thursday that the European Central Bank wants Greece to introduce capital controls to stem the outflow of deposits from the country’s banks. The ECB agreed to a modest increase in emergency funding for Greek banks on Wednesday.

“The ECB Governing Council and the ECB banking supervisor would be more comfortable if there were capital controls to prevent the banks bleeding (money),” states the article, citing the ECB.

An ECB representative categorically denied this report. “There has been no discussion for capital control at the Board of Directors meeting,” reported Reuters.