PART IVAMENDMENTS OF BANKING ACT

Restrictions on disclosure of information

Disclosure for facilitating discharge of functions by other supervisory bodies39

1

For the purpose of facilitating references to them, the entries in the Table in subsection (1) of section 84 of the Banking Act35 (disclosure for facilitating discharge of functions by other supervisory bodies) shall be numbered 1 to 19.

2

For subsection (5) of that section there shall be substituted the following subsections—

5

Section 82 above does not preclude the disclosure by the Bank of information to the Treasury if disclosure appears to the Bank to be—

a

desirable or expedient in the interests of depositors; or

b

in the public interest,

and (in either case) in accordance with article 12(7) of the First Council Directive36.

5A

Section 82 above does not preclude the disclosure by the Bank of information to the Secretary of State for purposes other than those specified in relation to him in subsection (1) above if the disclosure is made with the consent of the Treasury and—

a

the information relates to an authorised institution or former authorised institution and does not enable the financial affairs of any other identifiable person to be ascertained and disclosure appears to the Bank to be necessary in the interests of depositors or in the public interest; or

b

in any other case, disclosure appears to the Bank to be necessary in the interests of depositors;

and (in either case) disclosure appears to the Bank to be in accordance with article 12(7) of the First Council Directive.

3

In subsection (6)(a) of that section, at the end of sub-paragraph (i) there shall be inserted the words “or the Banking Coordination (Second Council Directive) Regula tions 1992”.

4

After that subsection there shall be inserted the following subsections—

7

Subsection (6) above does not apply in relation to disclosures to an authority which is not a supervisory authority in another member State unless the Bank is satisfied that the authority is subject to restrictions on further disclosures at least equivalent to those imposed by this Part of this Act.

8

Information which is disclosed to a person in pursuance of subsection (1), (4) or (6) above shall not be used otherwise than for the purpose mentioned in that subsection.

9

Any person who uses information in contravention of subsection (8) above shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine not exceeding the fifth level on the standard scale or to both.

10

Any reference in this section to enabling or assisting any person to discharge or exercise any functions is a reference to enabling or assisting that person to discharge or exercise those functions in relation to—

a

a financial market; or

b

persons carrying on the business of banking or insurance, Consumer Credit Act businesses or the business of providing other financial services;

and in this subsection 'Consumer Credit Act business' has the same meaning as in the Banking Coordination (Second Council Directive) Regulations 1992.