Novo Banco, the new BES, has started to have its old signage and in-branch publicity changed.
Today’s announcement released by Novo Banco stated that the change of identity will be progressive as there are 600 branches to be closed or re-branded.
Fines for drivers using formerly free roads such as the Algarve’s Via do Infante and not paying for the privilege has reached €2.79 million.
There are an estimated two million cases of non-payment of tolls and the Ministry of Finance already has started proceedings in 130,957 cases with threats of siezing property and vehicles if the tolls, fines and interest are not settled in full.
The Foreigners and Borders Service’s (SEF) part in ‘Operation Safe Summer’ involved questioning 700 non-Portuguese, mostly in tourist areas of the Algarve.
Officers found that 48 were in the country quite illegally.
To the delight of the socialist party sponsors, parliament unanimously has voted for a range of measures to improve aspects of the Algarve's deteriorating health service.
Among recommendations in the draft resolution presented by the socialists was the maintenance of healthcare centres and their respective satellites located in the mountainous and remote areas of the Algarve, and the creation of incentives to keep health professionals in the region, among others.
The Swiss financial regulator, Finma, is to press ahead with the forced liquidation of the local subsidiary of Banco Espírito Santo due to its ‘excessive debt'.
“On September 19, 2014, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority began bankruptcy procedures against Banque Privée Espírito Santo” according to a statement issued today which added that the regulator estimated it would be possible to reimburse client deposits “swiftly and to their full amount.”
The new €10 banknote will be in circulation as from Tuesday 23rd September.
The new version is more colourful and is claimed to be ‘safer’ although there may be a delay before all vending machines can be adapted to accept the note.
The team that developed the Citius computer system for Portugal’s Justice department resigned en masse in January but when doing so suggested it be a good idea that there be a month’s handover period for its members to explain the various access systems and database intricacies in an essential transfer of knowledge.
This proposal was rejected by the Financial Management and Equipment Institute of Justice (IGFEJ) which insisted the team members all left on February 4th and now seems to have no real idea how the system works.
Portugal's Prime Minister promises to lower taxes next year and that there will be a decision on the minimum wage increase "very soon."
Pedro Passos Coelho today said that there is "no one in the government that is not working hard to reduce the tax burden, but this will only happen if conditions in the country permit."
