NEW BILL ON BANKS DISCUSSED AT BANKERS' CONFERENCE

( Editorial: --> 5546 ) BRIJUNI, July 3 (Hina) - The new banks bill is a strategic response to the problems and weaknesses of the Croatian banking system and practice of recent years, it was said on Friday at a conference gathering presidents and members of administrative and supervisory boards of Croatian banks. The new bill is based on international experience and standards and is adjusted with European Union regulations. Held at the Brijuni Isles, northern Adriatic, the conference was organised by the Croatian Ministry of Finance and the Croatian Banking and Insurance Institute. According to Relja Martic, deputy governor of the Croatian People's bank, the new banks bill is an attempt to adjust the Croatian banking system to EU standards, to strengthen the jurisdiction of the Croatian People's Bank over insolvent banks and to pass more rigorous regulations for the establishment of banks, given that there are more than 90 banking institutions in Croatia. This, Martic said, is too large a number for such a small banking market. If adopted, the new banks act will help increase the basic capital necessary for establishing banks. A savings bank will require a 20 million kuna basic capital, a bank with minor authority a 40 million kuna basic capital, and a bank with major authority a 60 million basic capital. (hina) ha 032208 MET jul 98