The ruling on placing money in riba (usury or interest) banks and its profits

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. Some people place their money in the riba (usury or interest) banks that are widespread in our countries, due to the lack of a place or projects where they can feel safe about their money. Consequently, at the end of every year, there are profits. What should he do with these profits?

Answer:
If he has money that he fears for, and he has no place for it, there is no harm in depositing it in the bank for safekeeping only, and withdrawing from it what he needs. As for taking the profits on it, it is not permissible. This is riba (usury or interest). It is not permissible for him to take riba. He did not deposit it for the sake of the profits; he deposited it for safekeeping only, because he finds no place to keep it safe except the bank. He deposits it out of dire necessity. This is a benefit from dire necessity, but he does not take profits on it.