French Polynesia's president, Gaston Flosse, has lashed out at local banks, saying with the fees they charge they are committing authorised theft.
Mr Flosse says he regrets that the territorial government has no powers to regulate the banks as this is part of the authority of the French state.
He also says the banks offer no help, a reference to his government's difficulties in overcoming a deep economic crisis.
Mr Flosse says banks can charge what they want, claiming that small withdrawals incur huge fees.
The issue is contentious across France's overseas territories and last year, the National Assembly passed a bill to force banks to lower charges to the level that applies in France.
