s 97C Power to freeze bank accounts
97C.—(1) Where the Minister is satisfied that it is necessary to prevent the loss or misuse of the funds of a society, the Minister may, by order, direct a financial institution not to do either of the following for a specified period not exceeding 3 months:(a) pay any money out of the account of the society; (b) pay any cheque drawn on the account of the society.[3/2018] (2) A financial institution that complies with an order of the Minister under subsection (1) is not liable to any other person in respect of a payment prohibited by the order.[3/2018] (3) Any financial institution that contravenes an order of the Minister under subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.[3/2018] (4) In this section, “financial institution” means —(a) a bank licensed under the Banking Act 1970; (b) a finance company licensed under the Finance Companies Act 1967; or (c) a society (other than the society mentioned in subsection (1)) that is a credit society.[3/2018]