Antwerp Diamond Bank has announced a two-month extension on its current deadline of April 30 to close accounts, giving clients until June 30 to transfer to a new bank. 

KBC, ADB’s parent company, announced in September that the bank would shutter following a failed sale to the the Shanghai-based Yinren Group. 

In a letter to current clients, Antwerp World Diamond Centre CEO Ari Epstein and president Stéphane Fischler wrote, “This extension enables you to [continue] your ongoing search for a new bank. However, the closure of ADB remains a fact, and time is of the essence for you to make all efforts necessary to open a new banking account. AWDC will assist companies in any way possible, provided that they can demonstrate that they have made a serious effort to obtain a payment facility at another bank.” 

Epstein and Fischler also detailed the work that ADB has done to aid clients before the closure. It has worked with the AWDC to set up a help line for answering questions and has made “several announcements, seminars, and presentations.” 

Clients must sign and return a contract, provided by ADB, by April 27 to take advantage of the new deadline. 

JCK