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Part IIU.K. Constitution of Building Societies

Raising funds and borrowingU.K.

[F17The funding limit.U.K.

(1)A building society shall secure that the difference between—

(a)the value of X on any quarter day; and

(b)the value of Y on that day or the value of Y on the immediately preceding quarter day, whichever is the greater,

does not exceed 50 per cent of that value of X.

(2)For the purposes of subsection (1) above—

X = the aggregate of the following, namely—

(a)the principal value of, and interest accrued on, shares in the society;

(b)the principal of, and interest accrued on, sums deposited with the society or any subsidiary undertaking of the society; and

(c)the principal value of, and interest accrued under, bills of exchange, instruments or agreements creating or acknowledging indebtedness and accepted, made, issued or entered into by the society or any such undertaking; and

Y = the principal value of, and interest accrued on, shares in the society held by individuals otherwise than as bare trustees (or, in Scotland, simple trustees) for bodies corporate or for persons who include bodies corporate.

(3)The following shall be disregarded for the purposes of subsection (2) above, namely—

(a)any sums or amounts which are own funds; and

(b)to the extent that they are not included in the total liabilities of the society and any subsidiary undertakings of the society as shown in the society’s accounts—

(i)any sums deposited with the society or any such undertaking; and

(ii)any indebtedness created or acknowledged by bills of exchange, instruments or agreements accepted, made, issued or entered into by the society or any such undertaking.

(4)The reference in subsection (3) above to anything being shown in a society’s accounts shall be construed—

(a)in relation to a quarter day on which a financial year of the society ends, as a reference to its being shown in the accounts prepared by the society for that year;

(b)in relation to any other quarter day, as a reference to its being shown in the accounts which would have been prepared by the society for the year ending on that day if that year were a financial year of the society.

(5)If a building society fails to comply with the requirement imposed by subsection (1) above—

(a)the powers conferred on the Commission by section 36 shall become exercisable in relation to the society; but

(b)the failure shall not affect the validity of any transaction or other act.

(6)Where an individual declares that he is acquiring any shares in a building society otherwise than as a bare trustee (or, in Scotland, a simple trustee) for a body corporate, or for persons who include a body corporate, he shall, unless the contrary is shown, be conclusively presumed for the purposes of this section to hold the shares otherwise than as such a trustee.

(7)The Commission may, with the consent of the Treasury, by order—

(a)modify subsections (2) and (3) above in their application to liabilities of subsidiary undertakings;

(b)apply those subsections to corresponding liabilities of associated undertakings; or

(c)modify those subsections in their application to such liabilities.

(8)An order under subsection (7) above may make—

(a)different provision for different circumstances;

(b)provision for particular liabilities of undertakings to be disregarded; and

(c)such supplementary, transitional and saving provision as appears to the Commission to be necessary or expedient.

(9)The power to make an order under subsection (7) above is exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.]

Textual Amendments

F1S. 7 substituted (1.12.1997 in specified cases and for specified purposes and otherwise in accordance with art. 2(2)(3)(5) of S.I. 1997/2668) by 1997 c. 32, ss. 8, 47(3); S.I. 1997/2668, art. 2, Sch. Pt. II(g)

7 Power to raise funds and borrow money and limit on non-retail funds and borrowing.U.K.

(1)Subject to the provisions of this section and sections 8 and 9, a building society may—

(a)raise funds by the issue of shares to members, or

(b)borrow money and accordingly receive deposits from any person,

to be applied for the purposes of the society.

(2)The power to raise funds by the issue of shares is a power to issue shares of one or more denominations, either as shares paid up in full or as shares to be paid by periodical or other subscriptions, and with or without accumulating interest; and funds so raised may be repaid when they are no longer required for the purposes of the society.

[F14(2A)In the case of deferred shares, the power to raise funds by the issue of shares includes the issue of shares at a premium.

(2B)If a building society issues deferred shares at a premium, whether for cash or otherwise, a sum equal to the aggregate amount or value of the premiums on those shares shall be transferred to the society’s reserves.]

(3)Subject to subsection (14) below, the liabilities of a building society in respect of its non-retail funds and deposits shall not exceed at any time the prescribed percentage of the society’s total liabilities at that time in respect of shares in or money deposited with the society.

[F15(4)For the purposes of subsection (3) above, a building society’s liabilities in respect of its non-retail funds and deposits are, subject to subsections (5) and (9) below, its liabilities in respect of the principal of and interest payable on or under—

(a)transferable bearer instruments

(aa)transferable non-bearer instruments

(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F15

(bb)sums deposited otherwise than in excepting circumstances or in furtherance of a savings scheme with the society by, or by a trustee for, an institution which is—

(i)an authorised institution, for the purposes of, or

(ii)an overseas institution for the purposes of Part IV of,

the Banking Act 1987;

(c)shares in the society held by, or by a trustee for, and (to the extent the liabilities do not fall within (a), (aa), or (bb) above) sums deposited with the society by, or by a trustee for—

(i)any body corporate, otherwise than in excepting circumstances,

(ii)a friendly society registered under the Friendly Societies Act 1974 F16. . ., otherwise than in furtherance of a savings scheme,

(iii)a trade union (within the meaning of the [F17Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992]).

(d)shares in the society (to the extent the liabilities do not fall within (c) above) held by, and (to the extent the liabilities do not fall within (a), (aa), (bb) or (c) above) sums deposited with the society by—

(i)a body of persons or trust established for charitable purposes only,

(ii)the administrator of an approved retirement benefits scheme,

(iii)the manager or trustee of an appropriate personal pension scheme, or

(iv)the plan manager of a personal equity plan.]

(5)If a building society so elects with respect to any financial year its liabilities in respect of shares or deposits falling within paragraphs (c) or (d) (but no other provision) of subsection (4) above shall, subject to subsections (6) and (7) below, not be counted towards the limit in force under subsection (3) above.

(6)The liabilities of the society to any person shall not, by virtue of an election under subsection (5) above, be disregarded at any time during the financial year to which the election relates if at that time the liabilities to that person exceed the prescribed amount; and in that event all the society’s liabilities to that person shall count towards the limit in force under subsection (3) above.

(7)To be effective for the purposes of subsection (5) above, an election must apply to the society’s liabilities in respect of all its shareholders and depositors who fall within subsection (4)(c) and (d) above and notice of it must be given to the Commission before the beginning of the financial year to which it relates.

(8)A copy of the notice shall also be sent to the central office and the central office shall keep the copy in the public file of the society.

(9)The Commission may by order made with the consent of the Treasury amend subsection (4) above by adding to or deleting from it any description ofproperty or right or by varying any description of property or right for the time being specified in it and an order under this subsection may—

(a)define property or rights by reference to any criteria including the description of person who holds the property or rights,

(b)make any consequential amendment or repeal in that subsection, subsections (5) to (8) above or subsection (19) below, and

(c)make such supplementary, transitional and saving provision as appears to the Commission to be necessary or expedient.

(10)In determining for the purposes of subsection (3) above the liabilities of a building society with which another body corporate is associated there shall, subject to subsection (13) below, be attributed to the society, in accordance with aggregation rules made by the Commission with the consent of the Treasury under this subsection, the whole or part of the liabilities of whatever description of the associated body, as provided in the rules and subject to any exceptions provided in the rules.

(11)The power to make aggregation rules under subsection (10) above includes power to make—

(a)different rules for different circumstances,

(b)provision for liabilities of societies to be disregarded; and

(c)such supplementary, transitional and saving provision as appears to the Commission to be necessary or expedient.

(12)The power to make aggregation rules under subsection (10) above is exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(13)The Commission may, on the application of a building society, approve rules to be applied for the purposes of subsection (3) above for the attribution to the society of liabilities of bodies associated with the society; and so long as the rules continue to be approved by the Commission they, and not the aggregation rules in force under subsection (10) above, shall apply for the attribution of liabilities for the purposes of subsection (3) above.

(14)Where money is lent to a building society by another such society in accordance with an authority given by the Commission under section 33 the liabilities in respect of the loan shall be disregarded for the purposes of subsection (3) above.

(15)The prescribed percentage for the purposes of subsection (3) above is 20 per cent. or such other percentage not exceeding 40 per cent. as is for the time being substituted for it by order of the Commission made with the consent of the Treasury.

(16)The prescribed amount for the purposes of subsection (6) above is [F18£100,000] or such other amount as is for the time being substituted for it by order of the Commission made with the consent of the Treasury.

(17)The power to make an order under subsection (9), (15) or (16) above is exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(18)If the liabilities of a building society to which subsection (3) above applies exceed at any time the limit in force under that subsection the powers conferred on the Commission by section 36 shall become exercisable in relation to the society, but exceeding the limit shall not affect the validity of transactions effected in excess of it.

[F19(19)In this section—

(a)shares in or rights of a depositor with the society represent sums of money placed with an intermediary by an individual under a contract under which–

(i)those sums were to be invested by the intermediary in shares of or deposited with the society, and no other society; and

(ii)those sums not to be withdrawn from the society by the intermediary except either–

(aa)on maturity of the contract by reason of the death of the individual, or the effluxion of a period of time specified in the contract, or

(bb)at the written request of the individual or any assignee of that individual’s rights under the contract and within one month of the receipt by the intermediary of such request, or within a maximum of six months of such receipt if under the contract the intermediary has the right to defer for that period the withdrawal of funds placed with the intermediary for investment in or deposit with the society, or

(cc)where the intermediary has the right to deduct an amount from the investment with the society to cover charges specified in the contract and amounts surplus to the requirements of the contract;

(b)the intermediary is obliged to produce, when requested to do so by the society, and on a date nominated by the society,

(i)a statement of the total sums invested or deposited with that society by the intermediary in furtherance of contracts made under the terms of the scheme set out in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of paragraph (a) above, together with a certificate signed by the auditor of the intermediary confirming that the statement constitutes a true account;

(ii)any written request mentioned in subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (a) above;

Textual Amendments

F14S. 7(2A)(2B) inserted (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 15, 82(2)(a)

F15S. 7(4) amended by S.I. 1990/2363, arts. 3(2), 3(3) and has effect as set out in Part I of the Schedule to that S.I.

F18S. 7(16): words substituted (1.9.1995) for the purposes of s. 7(6) by S.I. 1995/1873, art. 2

F19S. 7(19) amended by S.I. 1990/2363, art. 3(4) and has effect as set out in Part II of the Schedule to that S.I.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 7(3) modified (temp.) by S.I. 1986/2168, art. 8(1)

[F28Raising funds and borrowing.U.K.

(1)Subject to subsection (2) below, a building society shall not do any of the following things, namely—

(a)accept a deposit from an individual;

(b)raise funds from an individual otherwise than by the issue of shares; and

(c)raise funds from a body corporate, or from a bare trustee (or, in Scotland, a simple trustee) for a body corporate or for persons who include a body corporate, otherwise than by the issue of deferred shares.

(2)Nothing in subsection (1)(a) above shall apply in relation to—

(a)the maintenance on behalf of an individual of a current account, or a deposit account which contains in its title the word “client" or the word “trust" or “trustee";

(b)the issue to an individual of a transferable instrument;

(c)the acceptance from an individual of a qualifying time deposit or an overseas deposit; or

(d)in the case of a building society which has announced publicly that it intends, in accordance with section 97 and the other applicable provisions of this Act, to transfer the whole of its business to a company, anything done by the society during the period of two years beginning with the date of the announcement.

(3)The Commission may, if it thinks fit, extend or further extend the period mentioned in subsection (2)(d) above if written application is made to it before the expiry of that period or that period as extended; and a direction under this subsection—

(a)shall be in writing;

(b)may be given subject to such limitations or conditions as the Commission may think fit.

(4)A contravention of subsection (1) above shall not invalidate any transaction or other act.

(5)The power of a building society to raise funds by the issue of shares is a power—

(a)to issue shares of one or more denominations, whether in sterling or another currency; and

(b)to issue them either as shares paid up in full or as shares to be paid by periodical or other payments, and (in either case) with accumulating or other interest;

and funds so raised may be repaid when they are no longer required for the purposes of the society.

(6)In the case of deferred shares, the power of a building society to raise funds by the issue of shares includes the issue of shares at a premium.

(7)If a building society issues deferred shares at a premium, whether for cash or otherwise, a sum equal to the aggregate amount or value of the premiums on those shares shall be transferred to the society’s reserves.

(8)For the purposes of this section the acceptance of deposits (including the issue of debt securities) shall not constitute the raising of funds.

(9)In this section, in relation to a building society—

(10)A right is transferable for the purposes of the definition of “transferable instrument” in subsection (9) above if it is transferable by delivery of the instrument, or it is a right—

(a)which may, under the terms of the instrument, be held by any person, or by any person other than a person of a description specified in the instrument;

(b)express provision for the transfer of which is included in the instrument; and

(c)the transfer of which, under the terms of the instrument, does not require the consent of any person.

(11)Where an individual declares that he is acquiring any shares in a building society otherwise than as a bare trustee (or, in Scotland, a simple trustee) for a body corporate, or for persons who include a body corporate, he shall, unless the contrary is shown, be conclusively presumed for the purposes of this section to hold the shares otherwise than as such a trustee.

(12)The Commission may, with the consent of the Treasury, by order vary subsections (2), (9) and (10) above by adding to or deleting from them any provision or by varying any provision contained in them; and an order under this subsection may make such supplementary, transitional and saving provision as appears to the Commission to be necessary or expedient.

(13)The power to make an order under subsection (12) above is exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.]

Textual Amendments

F2S. 8 substituted (1.12.1997 in specified cases and for specified purposes and otherwise in accordance with art. 2(2)(3)(5) of S.I. 1997/2668) by 1997 c. 32, ss. 9, 47(3) (with s. 46(1), Sch. 8 para. 9); S.I. 1997/2668, art. 2, Sch. Pt. II(h)

Marginal Citations

9 Initial authorisation to raise funds and borrow money.U.K.

(1)Except to the extent permitted by subsection (3) below, a building society shall not raise money from members or accept deposits of money unless there is in force an authorisation of the Commission granted under this section or treated as granted under this section by any provisions of this Act.

(2)Authorisation under this section shall, if granted, be granted unconditionally or subject to conditions as provided by subsection (4) or (5) below.

(3)Authorisation is not required for—

(a)the acceptance of payments by way of subscription for deferred shares unless the aggregate of the payments exceeds the amount produced by multiplying the prescribed minimum for qualifying capital by the factor of 2 or such other factor as may be substituted for it by order of the Commission made with the consent of the Treasury;

(b)the acceptance of payments for amounts due in respect of shares which represent interest on, or the repayment of, advances made to the holders of shares;

(c)borrowing from a banking or finance company, or from a director or other officer of the society, if the society has obtained the consent in writing of the Commission; [F3or

(d)borrowing under section 33.]

[F4(3A)The Commission shall not grant authorisation to a society if it appears to the Commission that—

(a)the society is closely linked with any person; and

(b)the society’s close links with that person, or any matters relating to any non-EEA laws or administrative provisions to which that person is subject, are such as would prevent the effective exercise by the Commission of its supervisory functions in relation to the society;

and in this Act 'non-EEA laws’ means laws of a country or territory outside the European Economic Area and “non-EEA administrative provisions" shall be construed accordingly.]

(4)[F5Subject to subsection (3A) above,]the Commission, on an application duly made for authorisation under this section, shall grant unconditional authorisation to the building society if it is satisfied that—

(a)the society has qualifying capital of an amount which is not less than the prescribed minimum;

(b)the chairman of the board of directors and any executive directors, the chief executive, the secretary and the managers (if any) are each fit and proper persons to hold their respective offices in the society;

(c)the board of directors, with the chief executive and secretary, have the capacity and intention to direct the affairs of the society in accordance with the criteria of prudent management and, in so far as those criteria fell to be satisfied before the date of the application, have secured that they were satisified; F6. . .

[F7(cc)each of the persons who, either alone or with any associate or associates, has a qualifying holding in the society is a fit and proper person to have such a holding; and]

(d)the investments of shareholders and depositors will be adequately protected without the imposition of conditions.

(5)[F5Subject to subsection (3A) above,]if the Commission, on an application so made, is not satisfied of the matters specified in subsection (4) above in relation to the society, it shall—

(a)if those matters are or include the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b), refuse to grant authorisation;

(b)in any other case, if it is satisfied that the imposition of conditions would secure the protection of the investments of shareholders and depositors, grant authorisation subject to such conditions to be complied with by the society as the Commission thinks fit to impose to secure that purpose; or

(c)if not satisfied, refuse to grant authorisation.

(6)The conditions that may be imposed under subsection (5) above on granting authorisation to a society may—

(a)relate to any activities of the society, whether or not those referred to in subsection (1) above; and

(b)require the society to take certain steps or to refrain from adopting a particular course of action or to restrict the scope of its business in a particular way.

(7)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (6) above, conditions imposed under subsection (5) above may—

(a)impose limitations on the issue of shares, acceptance of deposits or the making of advances or other loans;

(b)require the society to take steps with regard to the conduct of the business of any [F8connected undertaking]; and

(c)require the removal of any director or other officer.

(8)The provisions of Schedule 3 to this Act regulating—

(a)the making and determination of applications for authorisation,

(b)the furnishing of information or additional information in connection with such applications, and

(c)the imposition of conditions of authorisation,

apply in relation to authorisation under this section.

(9)Conditions imposed under subsection (5) above—

(a)may be varied from time to time (and notwithstanding any pending appeal) by agreement between the Commission and the society; and

(b)may be revoked at any time by the Commission if it is satisfied that the investments of shareholders and depositors will be adequately protected without the conditions;

but paragraph (b) above is without prejudice to the power of the Commission, under Part VI, to impose other conditions.

(10)On granting authorisation to abuilding society under this section the Commission shall inform the central office of the fact and the central office shall record that fact, and the date on which the authorisation was granted, in the public file of the society.

(11)If, in contravention of subsection (1) above, a building society raises money from members or accepts deposits of money, then—

(a)the society shall be liable on conviction on indictment or on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding, on summary conviction, the statutory maximum; and

(b)any officer of the society who is also guilty of the offence shall be liable—

(i)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or both, and

(ii)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

but such a contravention does not affect any civil liability arising in respect of the acceptance or of the money accepted.

(12)Failure by a society to comply with conditions imposed under this section on granting authorisation to the society shall render it liable, if other conditions are not imposed on it under Part VI, to have its authorisation revoked under that Part.

(13)For the purposes of this section, in relation to a building society—

(a)the aggregate of the nominal value of the qualifying deferred shares issued at the date of the application and the amount of the reserves as shown in the last balance sheet of the society less any accumulated deficit as so shown; or

(b)where there is no balance sheet of the society, the nominal value of the qualifying deferred shares issued at the date of application; F10. . .

[F11qualifying deferred shares” means deferred shares which constitute own funds of the society,]

[F12'qualifying holding’, in relation to a building society, means a holding of deferred shares in the society which—

(a)

represents 10 per cent. or more of the qualifying deferred shares in the society;

(b)

entitles the holder to exercise or control the exercise of 10 per cent. or more of the voting power at any general meeting of the society; or

(c)

enables the holder to exercise a significant influence over the management of the society.]

[F13(13A)In determining for the purposes of subsection (4)(b) above whether a person is a fit and proper person to hold any particular office, regard shall be had, in particular—

(a)to his probity;

(b)to his competence and soundness of judgement for fulfilling the responsibilities of that office;

(c)to the diligence with which he is fulfilling or likely to fulfil those responsibilities; and

(d)to whether the interests of shareholders or depositors of the society are, or are likely to be, in any way threatened by his holding that office.]

(14)Any power of the Commission to make an order under this section is exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Textual Amendments

F3S. 9(3)(d) and word immediately preceding it repealed (1.12.1997 in specified cases and for specified purposes and otherwise in accordance with art. 2(2)(3)(5) of S.I. 1997/2668) by 1997 c. 32, ss. 43, 46(2), 47(3), Sch. 7 para. 3(1), Sch. 9; S.I. 1997/2668, art. 2, Sch. Pt. II(w)(y)(z)(ii)(cc)(i)

F4S. 9(3A) inserted (18.7.1996) by S.I. 1996/1669, reg. 6(1)

F5Words in s. 9(4)(5) inserted (18.7.1996) by S.I. 1996/1669, reg. 6(1)

F6Word in s. 9(4) immediately following paragraph (c) repealed (1. 1. 1993) by S.I. 1992/3218, reg. 68(1)

F7S. 9(4)(cc) inserted (1. 1. 1993), by S.I. 1992/3218, reg. 68(1)

F8Words in s. 9(7) substituted (1.12.1997 in specified cases and for specified purposes and otherwise in accordance with art. 2(2)(3)(5) of S.I. 1997/2668) by 1997 c. 32, ss. 43, 47(3), Sch. 7 para. 3(2); S.I. 1997/2668, art. 2, Sch. Pt. II(w)(z)(ii)

F9Words in s. 9(13) substituted (1. 1. 1993) by S. I. 1992/3218, reg. 68(2)(a)

F10Word in s. 9(13) preceding the definition of "qualifying deferred shares" omitted (1. 1. 1993) by virtue of S.I. 1992/3218, reg. 68(2)(b)

F11Definition in s. 9(13) substituted (1.12.1997 in specified cases and for specified purposes and otherwise in accordance with art. 2(2)(3)(5) of S.I. 1997/2668) by 1997 c. 32, ss. 43, 47(3), Sch. 7 para. 3(3); S.I. 1997/2668, art. 2, Sch. Pt. II(w)(z)(ii)

F12Definition in s. 9(13) inserted (1. 1. 1993) by S.I. 1992/3218, reg. 68(2)(b)