In December 2011, the Minister of Finance submitted a Bill introducing a bank levy. In the explanatory notes to the Bill, the Minister explained that the bank levy should lead to a healthier financial system and better risk control at banks. The bank levy thus complements the proposed ex ante financing of the deposit guarantee system, and the tightening of banks' capital requirements.
The bank levy will be imposed on entities authorised to operate a banking business in the Netherlands. These include not only entities with a banking licence from the Dutch Central Bank, but also EU and EEA entities operating a banking business through a branch office in the Netherlands. The bank levy will be based either on the unconsolidated balance sheet total, or the unconsolidated balance sheet total attributable to the branch office, or the consolidated balance sheet total.
The government's intention is for the Bill to take effect mid 2012.
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