A California bank's decision could have huge ramifications in Somalia

California-based Merchants Bank is ceasing its business with companies that allow people in the US to send money to Somalia.  It was one of the last US banks willing to serve as a medium for transactions on behalf of these companies, which cannot legally expatriate funds on a large scale without the assistance of a commercial bank. The bank is closing the accounts on Feb. 6 and halting certain services as soon as Saturday. Every year, people in the US send a reported $215 million to relatives i...