In another case at the same airport, officials apprehended five foreign nationals who tried to smuggle gold worth Rs.24.4 million
The PRA also asked banks and insurers not to pay senior staff bonuses this year, although none of the banks opted to provide details on how they would comply with this second request.
Banks pay out dividends as a means of rewarding shareholders and disposing of excess profits, but they have the option to retain the earnings instead to preserve their capital levels.
While suspending investor distributions was described as prudent by the lenders, analysts at Jefferies said the move had "structurally bearish ramifications" for the sector, including raising the cost of equity.
"...It is not beyond the wit of man that some banks might need rights issues and all of this uncertainty in our view ultimately weakens prospective investment propositions."
The statements from British lenders come after the European Central Bank (ECB) last week asked euro zone lenders to skip dividend payments and share buybacks until October at the earliest, and use their profits to support the economy.
However, there are some hold outs. Swiss banking giants UBS and Credit Suisse have both said they plan to press ahead with 2019 dividends despite their home regulator urging caution over payouts.
Italy's UniCredit and Spain's BBVA have both said this week that their top management will waive their 2020 bonuses.
- Reuters
In another case at the same airport, officials apprehended five foreign nationals who tried to smuggle gold worth Rs.24.4 million
More than 2,000 pro-Palestinian protesters arrested in the past two weeks across the US
Fireballs and Smash tied for the lead in the team event at the $25 million 54 hole tournament
The hosts strengthened their chances of securing a slot in the semifinals with a 70-run victory in Abu Dhabi
The group has a presence in five countries and eyes further geographic expansion, especially in India
The severity of the situation gradually eased from Thursday evening, when it receded in the north and east of the country
Cyclone Hidaya is predicted to cause torrential rain, strong winds and powerful and dangerous waves in the flood-ravaged country
Dror Or's wife Yonat was killed in the October 7 attack and two of their three children were abducted and then freed in November