Is the money that has been left in a foreign bank since 1997 CE, and has no heir, Islamically permissible if it is transferred to the account legally and shared with a bank employee?

If a Muslim dies without an 'asaba (agnate) heir, their inheritance goes to the uterine relatives (dhawu al-arham), and this is the preferred view based on Allah's saying: "But those of [common] kinship are nearer to one another in the ordinance of Allah," and the hadith: "The maternal uncle is the heir of one who has no heir."

If there are no uterine relatives, the inheritance goes to the public treasury (bayt al-mal) if it is well-regulated; otherwise, it goes to the general welfare of Muslims.

The inheritance should not be left in foreign banks. Rather, efforts should be made to find their relatives. If no 'asaba heir or uterine relative is found, the inheritance should be spent on the general welfare of Muslims. The questioner may take compensation for their effort and money spent in retrieving the inheritance.

As for usurious interest, it is ill-gotten wealth and should be spent on the poor, the needy, and the general welfare of Muslims. The heirs have no share in it.