REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

27TH CONSTITUTIONAL REGULAR SESSION, 2006 

BILL NO.:106ND1

P.L.2006 - 63

BANKING (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2006
_____________

AN ACT

to amend section 131 of the Banking Act 1987, in order to lower the maximum rates of interest that banks may charge on loans and other forms of credit facilities, and for related matters. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE NITIJELA OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS:

Section 1. Short Title

This Act may be cited as the Banking (Amendment) Act, 2006.

Section 2. Amendment

Section 131 of the Banking Act, 1987 is hereby amended to read as follows:

§131. Interest rates.

(1) The Commissioner may, with the approval of the Cabinet, from time to time make an order:

(a) fixing the minimum rates of interest which banks may pay upon various classes of deposits; or

(b) fixing the maximum rates of interest which banks may charge for different types of loans or other credit operations.

(2) Subject as hereinafter provided, the rate of interest fixed by order under Subsection (1) of this Section shall apply in relation to any deposit, or to any loan or credit operation, as the case may be, completed before the date on which the order comes into force; provided, however, that nothing in any such order:

(a) shall apply in relation to any interest accrued before that date; or

(b) shall require or be deemed to require the increase of the rate of interest payable upon any deposit completed before that date if such increase will constitute a breach of the contract or agreement relating to such deposit.

(3) In making an order under Subsection (1) of this Section the Commissioner shall, in consultation with licensed banks and subject to Subsection (4) of this Section, take into consideration the rates of interest charged or paid by banks in other countries prevalent at the time of making such order; and in any event the difference, if any, in the rates shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the prime rate of the New York money center.

(4) The maximum rate of interest a licensed bank may charge for loans and other credit operations shall be twenty-four percent (24%).

(5) The Commissioner shall review and make recommendations to the Cabinet every six (06) months on the maximum rates of interest which banks may charge under Subsection (1)(b) of this Section.

Section 3. Effective Date

This Act shall take effect on the date of certification in accordance with the Constitution and the Rules of Procedures of the Nitijela.

CERTIFICATE

I hereby certify:

(1) That Nitijela Bill No. 106ND1 was passed by the Nitijela of the Republic of the Marshall Islands on the 6th day of November, 2006; and

(2) That I am satisfied that Nitijela Bill No.: 106ND1 was passed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Rules of Procedures of the Nitijela.

I hereby place my signature before the Clerk this 5th day of December, 2006.

Attest:

Ruben R. Zackhras
Vice-Speaker 
Nitijela of the Marshall Islands
	Joe E. Riklon
Clerk 
Nitijela of the Marshall Islands