The Central Bank of Iraq clarified that placing a licensed bank under a supervisory committee or guardianship is a legal precautionary measure to protect the bank’s operations and depositors, not an indication that the bank is bankrupt. It also reaffirmed that depositors’ funds are protected under applicable laws, regulations and instructions. All licensed banks participate in the Deposit Guarantee Company, which compensates depositors if a bank cannot meet its obligations in accordance with applicable law. The central bank said it monitors banks to ensure depositors can access their funds without delay and reported that the banking system’s ratio of liquid assets to short term liabilities exceeds 60%.