A woman has threatened to commit suicide over what she says are lifetime savings that have been locked up at Chase Bank, now in receivership.

Ms Rosemary Wanja on Thursday said she had saved over Sh3 million with the bank's Nakuru branch, adding she was "bitter because the proceeds of my life of hustling are locked in there and I just can't sit back and watch the money disappear".

She blames the managers for her predicament because she had approached them several times seeking to withdraw her savings from a fixed deposit account as soon as speculation on the bank’s stability started.

"As soon as I learnt about the troubles facing the bank three weeks ago on social media, I sought to get my money back but I was told that terms and conditions applied," said Ms Wanja.

Signatories of a self-help group who had turned up at the bank to withdraw their Sh1.3 million to pay for a project could be seen shaking their heads and cursing, with some wondering aloud what they would tell their 25 members.

These were among hundreds of Chase Bank customers who milled outside the lender's branches across the country throughout the day yesterday, waiting impatiently for word on the fate of their savings. In Eldoret, Mr Cornelius Korir, who was brandishing bank cheques, said he had been sent to pay for some licences required by the county government, but found the bank closed.

Another client, Mr Dennis Kemboi, who had taken a Sh700,000 loan from the bank, said he had come to repay the loan but now did not know what to do with the money.

"I think I will have to invest it in my other businesses," he said.

The fate of about 50 employees at the bank’s Eldoret branch remained unknown.

In Mombasa, Mr Benedict Maneno said he was in a fix as he had deposited contributions for his wedding, scheduled for later in the month, with the bank.

BANK INSINCERE

"I have about Sh200,000 in the bank but I am now stranded because I cannot access my account. I cannot express how I feel; I don’t know what I will tell my committee members," he said.

Businesswoman Lilian Adhiambo accused the bank management of insincerity.

"They told us that the bank will not be closed but now they have brought our businesses to a halt. I wanted to withdraw cash for some business but now I am stranded here. I swear I will never bring my money here again," she said.

In Kisumu, Ms Alice Owino, a businesswoman, said she was extremely worried about the turn of events, saying she deposited Sh320,000 only last week.

"Why did they tell customers that there was no problem?" she asked.

In Nakuru, customers were stunned when they found the bank's doors closed. ATM and mobile banking services had also been disabled.

Some of those interviewed said they had no idea what was going on but they were all united in the fear there was a possibility they could lose their savings.

Reporting by Joseph Openda, Stanley Kimunge, Angela Oketch and Mohamed Ahmed