Imedi TV, which has been sanctioned by the UK together with POSTV, is creating its own bank.

As stated in the statement released by the TV company, the new founders of Imedi Holding, with the financial support of the TV company’s loyal friends and sponsors, will create their own bank in the shortest possible time, in just a few months, under the name Imedi Bank.

“The only valuable assessment for Imedi TV is the trust of the Georgian people. Thanks to this trust, we have the highest rating in Georgia. Despite the cynical arguments against us and the artificial hype created, we want to tell our viewers that Imedi will not have any problems, including financial ones.

We have never had problems with advertising or attracting investments. Many thanks to those companies and organizations that have expressed solidarity with us in recent days and have confirmed that Imedi will continue to have their financial support. Among them, several banks, despite possible difficulties, have expressed their readiness to provide banking services to the TV company.

We are well aware of the risks that their business activities may face (be it financial problems, or something else), which will lead us into an additional spiral - we certainly do not want to put any of them under attack and them to be hunted by the forces with whose direct involvement, free media and freedom of speech have been attacked for the second time since 2007.

Imedi TV was born to win. We will continue to inform the public with increased energy, as usual. At the same time, we will ensure the payment of salaries to absolutely all employees, including the already increased salaries, and the fulfillment of relevant tax obligations without any delay.

In addition, we inform the public that we, the new founders of Imedi Holding, with the financial support of the TV company’s loyal friends and sponsors, will create our own bank in the shortest possible time, in just a few months, under the name Imedi Bank!” - reads the statement.

For information, on February 24, the UK sanctioned the TV companies Imedi and POSTV. According to the UK government, sanctions were imposed on Imedi and POSTV as “organizations involved in the spread of Russian disinformation.” The President of the National Bank of Georgia, Natia Turnava, responded to the issue and stated that commercial banks are obliged to act in accordance with the norms established by the Constitution and legislation of Georgia.

“Commercial banks operating in the country are legal entities established in accordance with the legislation of Georgia, the activities of which are subject to the Constitution of Georgia and national legislation. In the event of a “conflict” between a normative act adopted in another jurisdiction and the Constitution and legislation of Georgia, operating commercial banks are obliged to act in accordance with the norms established by the Constitution and legislation,” she said.