Deposit-taking Licensed Financial Institutions shall not carry on any of the following activities: 1. Carry on, for its account, commercial or industrial business or acquire, own or trade in goods, unless the acquisition of such goods was in settlement of debts due from third parties, in which case the goods shall be disposed of within the period specified by the Central Bank. 2. Purchase real estate for its own account, except in the following cases: a. Real estate that its value does not exceed the ratio set by the Central Bank relative to its total capital and reserves. b. Real estate owned in direct settlement of debt exceeding the ratio mentioned in paragraph (a) of this item and in such a case the sale of these properties within three (3) years, and this may be extended by an approval from the Central Bank based on the guidelines set by the Board of Directors. 3. Purchase or acquire or deal in shares of the concerned institution, in excess of the ratios set by the Board of Directors, unless the excess has devolved to it in settlement of a debt, in which case the concerned institution shall sell the shares in excess of the said ratio, within a period of two (2) years from date of acquisition. 4. Purchase shares of commercial companies, except within the ratio of the concerned institution’s own funds, as set by the Board of Directors, unless acquired in settlement of a debt, in which case the excess shall be sold within two (2) years from date of acquisition.
Interpretation and application must be checked against the official text and current version.