Swiss probe thousands of unclaimed accounts opened before 1955

Baku. 4 May. REPORT.AZ/ Swiss banks have discovered thousands of accounts opened before 1955 and dormant for at least 50 years, a German newspaper reported on Sunday, saying the move could help reveal where wartime Nazi loot was stashed.

Report informs referring to Reuters, Germany's 'Welt am Sonntag' newspaper said the accounts were being examined under a new Swiss law that requires banks to publish information this year on accounts that were opened at least 60 years ago and have been unclaimed for 50 years.

A spokeswoman for the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA)confirmed the report, saying the accounts in question were from both Swiss and foreign customers, adding that there was no specific Nazi link and the banks were not looking for particular groups.

"This publication is important for the banks as it allows them to search very widely for beneficiaries of the unclaimed wealth before the money has to be handed over to the government," the spokeswoman said.