Summary
Major European and Saudi banks have stopped dealing with Sudan, diplomatic and other sources say, adding to the sanctions-hit country's isolation and further straining its indebted, cash-starved economy.
In 2012, the British banks HSBC and Standard Chartered were fined $1.92 billion and $667 million respectively for violations that included breaching sanctions imposed on Iran and Sudan.
In the same year, Dutch bank ING agreed to pay $619 million to settle U.S. government accusations that it conducted banned transactions involving Sudan and other countries.
A local banker, who asked not to be identified, said that Saudi banks had also stopped dealing with Sudan this month, a move that is economically far more significant for Sudan than the European move.
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