The occupation of the Ottoman Bank (, "Raid on the Ottoman Bank"; , "Bank Otomani k'ravumĕ" "Ottoman Bank takeover") by members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnak Party) took place in Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, on 26 August 1896. In an effort to raise further awareness and action by the major European powers, 28 armed men and women led primarily by Papken Siuni and Armen Garo took over the bank which largely employed European personnel from Great Britain and France. Stirred largely due to the inaction of the European powers in regard to Hamidian massacres started by Sultan Abdul Hamid II. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation members saw its seizure as their best attempt to bring full attention to their plight. The Ottoman Bank, at the time, served as an important financial center for both the Empire and the countries of Europe.