ARGENTINA: Banks Offer Free Accounts As Stickups Surge.

BLOOMBERG/     Robberies of people leaving banks, known as “salideras,” are on the rise, up 24% so far and already more than all of 2009.
    Because of rising crime, the central bank introduced regulations this week to encourage use of the financial system instead of cash for real estate, cars and other big-ticket items. Banks must now offer free accounts and keep charges low.
      Historically Argentines have a “cultural” mistrust of banks thanks to a history of losing bank savings. “Argentines are notoriously adverse to bank transactions,” said a bank analyst. “About 80 percent of all savings are in dollars in Argentina, some in local banks, some in foreign banks and a lot ‘under the mattress.’”