Neteller, the London-listed payments processor, has announced that U.S. customers looking to withdraw funds may, as of today, access their online accounts.
In a note to the London Stock Exchange this morning, the company said that under the distribution plan agreed to with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York (USAO), announced June 4, 2007, U.S. customers may now initiate the process of retrieving funds from their Neteller e-wallets.
U.S. customers will have until Jan. 26, 2008 to access their online accounts, the company said.
"We are very pleased to start the funds distribution process today," said Neteller chief executive Ron Martin. "I can assure our U.S. customers it has been our highest priority and we'd like to thank them for their patience during this period."
On July 18, Neteller entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the USAO, and agreed to forfeit $136 million.
The company also agreed to repay an estimated $94 million to its U.S. customers.
Last Wednesday, trading in the company's shares resumed on London's Alternative Investment Market.
Neteller co-founders John Lawrence and Stephen Lefebvre await sentencing on Oct. 29, 2007 after pleading guilty on July 2 and 10, respectively, to a single count of conspiracy in connection with processing illegal online gambling transactions from U.S. residents.