The Financial Reconstruction Commission formalized guidelines Thursday on the granting of licenses to new banks, emphasizing the need to shield them from potential business risks posed by their parent companies.
The guidelines will pave the way for new types of banks, such as an Internet bank planned by Sony Corp. and a bank that uses automated teller machines at convenience stores that supermarket chain Ito-Yokado Co. intends to set up.
Thursday's decision effectively endorses the preliminary version of guidelines released in May, although the FRC considered public comments submitted to the commission later.
The comments generally supported the guidelines but cautioned against excessive intervention in new banks, according to the FRC's summary.
Under the guidelines, the independence of a new bank's management must be ensured by examining any shareholder that has a stake of 20 percent or more in the venture. The bank's staff should in principle not also belong to its parent firm, to secure the bank's independence.
As a measure to create fire walls between a bank and its parent firm, the guidelines say the bank must not lend to its parent if that firm's financial position worsens.
When considering a bank's application for a license, regulatory authorities must examine the parent firm's financial statements and audit reports prepared by more than one auditing firm. Newly authorized banks must regularly submit these documents to authorities.
Internet-based banks that have no physical branches must take measures to make sure cash is available in the event of a rush of withdrawals, the guidelines state.