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Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Sassoon (Conservative) on Monday, 21 November 2011.


Banking: Iceland

Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 31 October (WA 192), whether it remains their policy to levy on private United Kingdom financial services institutions any shortfall between what may be recovered and the £0.8 billion owing to HM Treasury after repayment of deposit balances above £50,000 in the failed Icelandic bank Landsbanki.
Answer

In November 2008, following the Financial Services Authority's announcement that the UK branch of Landsbanki was in default, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) began payouts to UK depositors with Icesave. The FSCS made payments of approx. £4.5 billion to UK depositors in Icesave. These payments were made up of three different tranches: £2.3 billion for deposit balances up to €20,887 (£16,872) which should have been paid by the Icelandic Depositors and Investor Guarantee Fund (DIGF); £1.4 billion for deposit balances above £16,872 and below £50,000, for which the FSCS is liable; and £0.8 billion for deposit balances above £50,000, for which HM Treasury is liable. We expect full recovery of the £2.3 billion for which Iceland is liable. The FSCS will levy the financial services industry for any shortfall in recoveries of the £1.4 billion, for which the FSCS is liable. Recoveries on the £0.8 billion payment for deposit balances above £50,000 will be determined by the returns from the Landsbanki administration. HM Treasury does not have the power to levy the financial services industry for any shortfall between what may be recovered from the Landsbanki administration and the £0.8 billion owed to HM Treasury. HM Treasury will be liable for any shortfall. The FSCS has a claim of approximately £4.5 billion in the Landsbanki estate. This includes Iceland's liability. Further information on the Landsbanki administration can be found via the following web link: http://www.lbi.is/.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
13139; 732 c176-7WA
Session
2010-12
Related items
Banking: Iceland
Monday, 31 October 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Compensation Banks Fees and charges Financial institutions Insolvency Repayments Iceland Financial Services Compensation Scheme Landsbanki
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk