What is the ruling on bank interest, and must it be returned to the bank, or is it permissible to give it to the needy?

It is not permissible to return usurious interest to banks, nor to benefit from it. Rather, it must be placed in general Muslim public welfare or given to the poor and needy with the intention of disposing of it. Similarly, it is not permissible to deposit money in usurious banks except in a current account when Islamic banks are unavailable and there is a fear for one's money.