S.L. 376.8 Art. 17Non- discrimination in the provision of payment accounts. Cap. 456. Rightofaccessto payment account with basic features.

(1) A credit institution shall not discriminate against consumers legally resident in Malta or in another Member State by reason of their nationality or place of residence or by reason of any other ground referred to in Article 21 of the Charter, the Equality for Men and Women Act and in other provisions contained in any other Maltese law as may be in force and amended from time to time, when those consumers apply for, or access, a payment account.

(2) The conditions applicable to holding a payment account with basic features within the meaning of regulation 25 shall be in no way discriminatory.

a 18. (1) Credit institutions with a branch network in Malta having five or more branches shall offer a payment account with basic features and may also offer online accounts with the same basic features. Access to such payment account with basic features shall be provided through the entire branch network of the credit institution concerned. The competent authority shall ensure that payment accounts with basic features are not only offered by credit institutions that provide payment accounts with solely online facilities.

(2) Credit institutions with a network of four branches or less may also offer payment account with basic features: Provided that in such case the provisions of Part 4 of these regulations shall apply to such credit institutions mutatis mutandis.

(3) It shall be the duty of the competent authority to prevent distortions of competition in regard to the manner in which credit institutions grant access to payment account with basic features, and to take action thereupon.