This Monday, Metropolitan Bank declared an indefinite halt to the booking of appointments for cash withdrawals at its Havana branches. This decision directly impacts thousands of residents in Havana who rely on this service to access their money amidst an unprecedented banking and energy crisis.
The official statement from the bank cites the primary cause as "interruptions due to the lack of electrical power in the capital." This suspension affects appointments made via the MiTurno platform from Transfermóvil and the Ticket service from EnZona for Cash Operations, specifically cash withdrawals.
While cash withdrawals are affected, the bank clarified that other services—such as opening or transferring savings accounts, obtaining certifications or account statements, applying for or extending loans, and requesting managerial checks—remain available for online reservation through both platforms. The announcement closes with a brief apology: "We apologize for the inconveniences caused."
This measure comes just four days after Cuba experienced its largest-ever power deficit, reaching 2,208 MW at 8:50 PM on June 25, leaving more than 70% of the national territory without electricity. That same night, Havana's Electric Company confirmed an additional loss of 640 MW. The capital has been enduring 20 to 24 hours of daily power outages, rendering ATMs, point-of-sale terminals, and even the banks' computer systems unusable.
The deterioration of cash access in Havana has been worsening for some time. As of a citizen complaint on June 28, Metropolitan Bank reduced the maximum withdrawal limit per person from 5,000 to 3,000 Cuban pesos, an amount insufficient even to purchase a carton of eggs. Over 50% of the ATMs in the capital were non-operational in May 2026, and by June, only about 200 out of more than 500 installed machines were working.
The situation further escalated on June 15, when criminals robbed a bank branch in the Lawton neighborhood during a nighttime blackout, just hours before pension payments were due to start. "They stole the ATM and entered through there," local residents reported. The Ministry of the Interior launched an operation, but no official information was released regarding any arrests or the amount stolen, leaving retirees unable to collect their pensions the following day.
The online appointment system was initially introduced to avoid endless in-person queues but was already operating under severe restrictions: the bank issued only 50 appointments per day per platform. Now, with the complete suspension of cash withdrawal appointments, Havana residents have no digital alternative to manage this process.
In June, the regime announced a package of 176 economic measures, including the authorization of private banking for the first time in decades, but none have addressed the cash shortages or the power outages crippling the banking system. Cuba has over 1.7 million retirees who depend on the state banking system for their pension payments. The province of Granma admitted in June that it lacks the 400 million pesos necessary to pay its 111,000 pensioners.
FAQs on Metropolitan Bank's Suspension of Cash Withdrawal Appointments
Why did Metropolitan Bank suspend cash withdrawal appointments?
The bank suspended cash withdrawal appointments due to interruptions caused by ongoing electrical power shortages in Havana.
What alternatives are available for cash withdrawals in Havana?
Currently, Havana residents have no digital alternatives for managing cash withdrawals due to the suspension. In-person queues were previously reduced through online appointments, but these are now unavailable.
What other banking services are still available online?
Despite the suspension of cash withdrawals, other services such as opening or transferring savings accounts, obtaining certifications or account statements, applying for or extending loans, and requesting managerial checks remain available for online reservation.