Cyprus banks will remain closed on Thursday and Friday as officials try to find a new plan to stave off bankruptcy.
Aliki Stylianou, central bank’s spokeswoman, confirmed the additional two-day closure today. The cash-strapped lenders have been closed since Saturday to avoid a bank run.
Cyprus Parliament this week rejected a plan to take a portion of bank deposits. That has left Cypriot officials looking for alternative ways to scrounge up some €5.8 billion ($7.51 billion) that the country’s Euro area partners and the IMF expect in order to loan another €10 billion.
The money is needed to shore up the ailing banks and government finances. Cypriot authorities kept banks closed to avoid a run on the lenders.