YEREVAN, January 24. / ARKA /. Head of the Office of Armenia’s Financial Ombudsperson said today it had levied 28.3 million Drams last year in favor of citizens, up from 26 million Drams in the preceding year.

Speaking to ARKA. financial ombudswoman Piruz Sarkisian said the office had to handle an increased number of complaints in 2010, although the amount of financial claims was not too large- the minimum amount of a claim was 1000 Drams (a little less that $3) and the largest was 10 million Drams.

She said some of the claims were satisfied only in part. According to her, 11.8 million Drams were levied from commercial banks, 7.4 million Drams from insurance companies, 3.2 million Drams from crediting organizations and 5.7 million Drams from pawnshops.

Armenia was the first among former Soviet republics to introduce the office of financial ombudsperson in 2009 January after the parliament passed a relevant law. ($1 – 367.39 Drams). -0-