All I can say at this time is that I have a rather intimate relationship with the staff where I bank, and will be discussing the topic with them over
the next few days.
Until then, I am on the fence with this.
Peace2All
Bank Of America and Compass Bank managers (probably all other U.S. banks too) have been instructing their employees in the last few weeks on how to respond to customer demands in the event of a collapse of the U.S. economy - specifically telling the employees that only agents from the Department Of Homeland Security will have authority to decide what belongings customers may have from their safe deposit boxes - and that precious metals and other valuables will not be released to U.S. citizens. The bank employees have been strictly prohibited from revealing the banks’ new "guidelines" to anyone. (however, employees have been talking to friends and family)
bellaciao.org...
Is there any citation for this? This would mean that they were at every single opening of each safety deposit box, and that they'd have to be present each time a particular box was open, even today.
www.swissamerica.com.../200303270921f.txt
In 1917 the Trading With The Enemy Act was passed. This legislation is still in place. It's article 5(b) states:
That the President may investigate, regulate or prohibit, under such rules and regulations as he may prescribe, by means of licenses or otherwise, any transactions in foreign exchange for the export, hoarding, melting, or earmarking of gold or silver coins or bullion or currency. [...]