Paraguay's central bank starts repaying savers hit by banking crisis

Paraguay's central bank has begun reimbursing savers affected by the country's banking crisis, which triggered a political upheaval leading to President Santiago Peña's impeachment trial. The first guarantee advance payments to Ueno bank depositors started Thursday. The initial disbursements cover depositors with holdings between 1 and 10 million guaranies ($160 to $1,600). The central bank is transferring funds to accounts at other financial institutions where affected savers already have active accounts, with further payment groups to be announced progressively. The crisis began Tuesday when Ueno Bank was placed under administration, freezing deposits for nearly 3 million clients, about half Paraguay's population. Parliament passed an emergency law for advances up to 40 minimum monthly salaries, while protests demanding Peña's imprisonment continue during his Senate trial.