 On December 31, 2015 the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) promulgated Circular No. 36/2015/TT-NHNN regulating the re-organisation of credit institutions, in the form of merger, consolidation and conversion of legal forms of certain types of credit institutions, including only commercial banks and finance companies (Circular 36).Re-organisation principles and conditions Under Circular 36, re-organisation of credit institutions shall meet, inter alias, the following key principles and conditions: • Confidentiality of information is required, aiming to ensure the stable operation of the credit institution(s) prior to the re-organisation plan of the credit institutions being approved by its decision-makers. • However, within seven business days of obtaining an in-principle acceptance from the SBV for a re-organisation plan, the relevant credit institutions must list at its offices and disclose on the information media of the SBV and in national daily newspaper or Vietnamese electronic newspaper, certain required information (including issuance date of the obtained in-principle acceptance, name and charter capital of the involved credits institutions, as well as the proposed organisation and operation form of the post-reorganised credit institution). • It is strictly prohibited to disperse assets in any form. Any transfer and sale of assets during the re-organisation process must ensure publicity, transparency and compliance of legal regulations and agreements of the contracting parties, and shall ensure the safety of assets, and make no adverse impact on the interests of the credit institution(s) and other parties involved in the re-organisations. • Re-organisation of credit institutions shall comply with the completion law and relevant legal regulations. Operational scope of a credit institution after re-organisation must comply with the operational scope stipulated by law as applicable to each type of credit institution, and in case of merger and consolidation of credit institutions, such operational scope means the operations of the involving credit institutions, if fully satisfying the relevant operational conditions prescribed by law, including but not limited to regulations on restrictions, prudential ratios, capital contribution and share ownership ratios and conditions for conducting banking operations. • In any case of re-organisation, the credit institution must have a conversion plan approved by its competent body and satisfy requirements in accordance with laws. Sequence and procedures for re-organisation For each step, the credit institution and other relevant parties shall fully prepare the items and documents complying with the regulations under Circular 36. ––––––––– Hanoi Office |
New regulation of Vietnam on re-organisation of credit institutions
