Bangalore: Account holders with Global Trust Bank are making beeline before its branches spread all over India. Panic driven depositors were busy withdrawing whatever money they could. Depositors and investors seen anxiously inquiring what would happen to their deposits and fate of so many transactions kept on hold by the Bank.

As per the moratorium imposed by Government of India on 24th July, depositors can withdraw up to Rupees 10,000 only. The moratorium will run up to 24th Oct 2004. Depositors lined up in long queues before MG Road, Jayanagar, Koramangala Branches in Bangalore.

In the mean time, RBI has said in a statement that GTB would be merged with Oriental Bank of Commerce. That's some good news for the investors but till the moratorium expires depositors are put to lot of inconvenience.

" How I can get back all my money? A lady was seen inquiring with bank staff in Jayanagar branch. "If I were to know about the fate of the bank, I would not have deposited Rs 30,000 which I did only last Saturday", I need my money back to pay for my son's college fee, bemoaned Saroja.

Regarding other transactions, the bank staff had a torrid time convincing the public. "No problem, issues will be sorted out shortly and smoothly", an officer in the bank told this reporter. Another bank officer in the city said that the CMD of GTB has sent feelers to the branches that moratorium would be lifted by 7th Aug.