Australia's major banks close Sydney CBD branches due to hostage crisis
[SYDNEY] Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac Banking Corp and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group said they had shut their Sydney CBD branches on Monday after a number of hostages were taken in a central city cafe. "Due to the police operation in Martin Place Sydney, 12 Westpac branches in Sydney CBD will be closed for the rest of today," Westpac said in a tweet. CBA and ANZ posted similar messages.
Dozens of heavily armed police surrounded the cafe in Martin Place, home to the Reserve Bank of Australia, commercial banks and close to the New South Wales state parliament. Television footage showed several people inside the cafe standing with their hands pressed against the windows.
REUTERS
More:
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
US weekly jobless claims unexpectedly fall
US economic growth slows more than expected in Q1
Malaysia ex-PM Mahathir facing anti-graft probe in a case involving his sons
BOE reports record usage of short-term liquidity repo
Philippines central bank not seeing rate hike despite peso weakness: finmin
Middle East tensions threaten global progress on inflation: World Bank