"No Concern of Embezzlement": Bank Issues Message To Customers Following Rumors

Bank of Jerusalem issued a public statement Thursday addressing customer concerns following rumors related to the disappearance of bank employee Mali Yahalomi, which had triggered a sharp decline in the bank's stock price, at one point falling as much as 12.39%.

In its message to customers, the bank stated: "Following information and rumors that have recently surfaced, and in light of a thorough and comprehensive examination conducted by the bank, we wish to clarify unequivocally that there is no concern whatsoever of embezzlement of Bank of Jerusalem customers' funds." The bank added: "Customers' funds are safe and protected, and are held and managed in accordance with the provisions of the law, binding procedures, and the bank's control systems."

The bank emphasized that operations continue normally and that its control and oversight systems "operate continuously and ensure the safeguarding of customers' funds and the proper conduct of banking activities."

Bank of Jerusalem CEO Yair Kaplan addressed staff on the matter, writing: "Apart from the fact that she is an employee of the bank, no connection has been found between the incident and the bank." He cautioned employees about a court-issued gag order on the investigation. The bank previously stated: "Following an examination that was conducted, no findings were discovered indicating any unusual activity involving the bank's funds or assets."

Mali Yahalomi and her daughter Liel disappeared while visiting Vienna, Austria, and have been missing since the weekend. A court imposed a gag order on the investigation, which was transferred Wednesday to the Lahav 433 national crime unit.

The Yahalomi family provided testimony to investigators and expressed concern over police-released reports, stating some information "was not presented to the family" And that the family possessed "information that substantially contradicts some of the claims raised." The family clarified: "contrary to what was published by the police spokesperson's office, at this stage there is no basis whatsoever for ruling out the possibility of a nationalist-motivated terrorist incident."

Relatives last had contact with Mali and Liel on the evening of Friday, August 7. Cellphone location data placed them near a Vienna train station during Shabbos, but no trace of the women has been found since then, and no activity has been detected on their credit cards. Israeli police representatives have been dispatched to Austria to assist local authorities.