A Bosnian court fined Italian bank Intesa Sanpaolo on Tuesday for illegally raising interest rates at a local branch, national radio reported.
Sarajevo's municipal court ordered Intesa to pay a fine of 8,000 convertible marks (4,100 euros, 5,800 dollars) for violating consumer rights, BH Radio said.
Earlier this year, the bank raised the interest rate it charged for a loan to one client worth 17,000 euros. The rates involved were not disclosed.
The ruling is considered a landmark as the court has opened 192 similar cases against Intensa Sanpaolo and nine other banks operating in Bosnia-Hercegovina.
Many banks in Bosnia sparked public outrage when they lifted interest rates for previously arranged loans earlier this year, saying it was a consequence of the global financial crises.
Source: AFP