"An inspection is currently underway," a BNA source told Lusa.
At issue is a letter sent to the BNA by the Portuguese manager, in which António Domingues outlined his concerns about the violation of the rules applicable to the banking sector, which he learned about through an audit, in particular the law to combat money laundering and the bank's code of conduct.
In an analysis of the bank, to which Lusa had access, the department that ensures compliance with internal rules admits that "there was a lack of rigor and control procedures defined to mitigate operational, compliance and fraud risks were not followed".
The analysis refers to a deposit of 21.8 million kwanzas, on July 20, 2017, signed by a 23-year-old student from Viana, and another deposit of 250 thousand dollars, in the account of Manuel Paulo da Cunha ('Nito Cunha'), former director of the office of the former President of the Republic of Angola José Eduardo dos Santos, both of whom raised internal suspicions.
These irregularities were the reasons given by the vice president of BFA, held in 48.1 percent by BPI, to resign from office, on 6 July.
"It is my understanding that, as a member of the bank's Board of Directors, when I become aware of them, I have a legal and regulatory obligation to inform the supervisory authorities under the terms of the applicable law", writes António Domingues, who denounced the case to the governor of the National Bank of Angola in a letter dated July 2, in which it argues that "the facts and their consequences did not expire".
According to BFA's internal audit department, these operations expose the bank to fines and penalties under the rules against money laundering and illicit financing.
BFA promised, on Monday, that it will pronounce itself "in the next few days" on the reasons for António Domingues' resignation.
According to the bank's website, Otília Carmo Faleiro also ceased to serve as a member of the board of directors "at his request" on 8 July.
