Tran Ngoc Bich, a major depositor at Vietnam Construction Bank (VNCB), has said she wants to take back a combined VND5.88 trillion from 124 saving books opened at the bank.

Bich at the trial.

Bich was summoned for interrogation on Monday about VND5.49-trillion that a group of depositors led by Bich put in VNCB and was arbitrarily used by Pham Cong Danh, former chairman of VNCB.

According to the indictment, after grabbing control of VNCB in 2012, Danh via Pham Thi Trang sought deposits of Tran Qui Thanh, chairman of local beverage company Tan Hiep Phat, his daughter Bich and her relatives.

Bich told the hearing on Monday that she had close credit relations with TrustBank, which was later renamed as VNCB, in June 2012 via Trang, deputy general director at TrustBank, who is on the run. Bich added the interest rate at VNCB was high (10%) at that time.

Bich’s group comprising many individuals not only made deposits at VNCB but offered loans via the bank to enjoy interest rate differentials.

The transfer of money by Bich’s group to the accounts which were arranged by Trang, mainly those of Danh. When loans were due, Bich would choose accounts to get money.

All loans were settled when legal actions were taken.

However, VND5.19 trillion was withdrawn from Bich’s account at VNCB and sent to Danh’s accounts, but receipts were not signed by Bich.

Danh also withdrew VND300 billion from the saving accounts of three depositors in Bich’s group.

Hoang Dinh Quyet, former deputy general director of VNCB in charge of Saigon branch, said VND5.19 trillion was sent with permission of Bich but Bich denied this at the court.

According to Bich, she had not known about such money withdrawals until July 2014 when working with the police about loans and deposits at VNCB.

“No one can take money out of my account without my permission,” Bich said, requesting a solution to her deposits and loans.

However, Bich’s request will require the judge to summon more people to clarify her case.