(a) Resources

In the other six schemes (France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom), finance is provided by the participating banks as and when required. In the case of the Netherlands, the central bank provides bridging finance if the sum required in any one calendar year exceeds a certain proportion of the resources of the banking system or of an individual bank. In the United Kingdom, a basic fund of £5­6 million was established in 1982 by an initial call on all contributory institutions. Thereafter any institution authorised by the Bank of England that is required to contribute to the fund must pay an initial contribution.

In eight countries there is provision for further finance to be obtained, if necessary, from the central bank, from another official authority or by borrowing. The exceptions are France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, where the overall philosophy of the system is intended to be that of self-help.

(b) Basis for assessment of contributions

In Germany, subscriptions of credit co-operatives and savings banks are assessed on the basis of claims on customers and those of the commercial banks (private Kreditbanken) are based on insured deposits. In Switzerland premiums are calculated in relation to balance-sheet totals.