An American Samoa bank says it's having difficulty getting approval from the federal banking regulator to conduct many transactions.
Photo: RNZI / Monica Miller
The Territorial Bank of American Samoa, which is owned by the territory's government, opened in October, and has been providing accounts.
But until it gets a transit routing number from the Federal Reserve, it can't provide services such as cheques.
The bank's chief executive, Philip Ware, said getting a number was usually a two-week process, but his bank has been waiting since November.
He says he suspects the Federal Reserve has a problem with the fact the bank was owned by the government.
"I try very hard to make sure that they understand there's a barrier between the government and the bank, and the government will not influence us, nor will they get involved."