(IDEX Online) - Veteran diamantaire Edi Faltz is offering a lifeline to those in the industry who have been shunned by traditional banks.
He says he is aware of the plight of many diamond dealers who have been refused banking facilities or actually had their accounts closed.
He is part of a group that opened Digital International Bank, Inc. based in the US territory of Puerto Rico, in 2016, and is actively targeting the diamond and jewelry sectors with account management, international transfer of funds and bank card facilities.
"We have the knowledge and self-confidence to provide banking facilities to an industry that other banks simply don't understand," he said.
"In Belgium, Israel, India and Dubai diamond dealers and jewelers can't open bank accounts. Banks are confused by the way they work, they can't get their heads round the compliance issues and they have even been closing existing accounts.
"People have had $4m in HSBC and have suddenly been told they have four weeks to close their account."
Mr Faltz, 51, (pictured) is the head of Latin America's only diamond exchange, in Panama, and has worked as an external advisor to two leading International banks.
He is also owner and CEO of DBO (Diamond Buying Office) at the Israeli diamond exchange in Ramat Gan, Israel. ...