The document discusses key definitions and concepts related to banking law in India. It defines terms like "banker" and "customer" and outlines how the legal relationship between them is established. It also examines the various roles and duties of a banker, including as a debtor, trustee, agent, and bailee. The document also discusses exceptions to the general duty of confidentiality bankers owe to customers, as well as how the banker-customer relationship can be terminated.

2. BANKER Definition mere tautology No statutory definition Multifarious functions, and services in conjunction with traditional banking Sec 3 of NIA `Banker` includes any person acting as a banker. Similar definition in Bankers Book Evidence Act 1891 and Indian Stamp Act 1889 First systematic attempt to define in Sec 5 (b) of BRA – defines Banking business Also relevant - Sec 6 (Forms of business in which banking companies may engage) ; Sec 7 (Use of words "bank", "banker", "banking" or "banking company )

3. CUSTOMER Customer not defined To constitute customer there must be some recognisable course or habit of dealing between him and the bank The transaction were in the nature of regular banking business To constitute a customer there must be some measure of continuity and custom A person becomes a customer of a bank as soon as he is accepted as such by the banker Frequency of transaction not essential A customer is a person whose moneys have been accepted by the bank on the footing that the banker will honour up to the amount standing to his credit irrespective of his connection being short or long standing [Central Bank v Gopinathan Nair, AIR 1970]

4. COMMENCEMENT OF LEGAL RELATIONSHIP Contractual relation begins - When a person asks the banker to open an account, though cash/cheque yet to be deposited. Actual transaction strengthens the relationship Banker-Customer contract is an exception to the rule that a debtor should find his creditor. Creditor (customer) has to make demand on the debtor (Banker) Money deposited becomes Banker's property, absolutely at his disposal, acknowledges receipt of money as `debtor` with the obligation that the same is sufficient and available to honour customer's cheques

5. BANKER’S DUTIES Duty of care judged on what an ordinary reasonable person would do, or on what is normally done in similar circumstances Duty to Issue Statements Banker’s Duty of Confidentiality detail’s/information of customers account etc Exception

6. BANKER AS A TRUSTEE Main relation between Banker and Customer – Debtor and Creditor [reversal when bank grants OD facilities] Remittances made to bank to purchase shares, before buying stipulated no. of shares, bank failed- unspent money bank holding in trust Banker received money from one party on behalf of another (later not a customer), bank enquired about purpose and intimated money meanwhile being kept in suspense, banker is a trustee Banker must not be party to appropriation of funds inconsistent with the character in which customer holds them

7. AGENCY RELATION When created Buying and selling securities of customer Collection of cheques, dividends, B/E or P/N Acting as Trustee, Attorney, Executor, correspondent or a representative Banker in fiduciary capacity for moneys received for a specific purposed, erroneously credited to suspense account Banker as an agent bound to carry out directions of his principal conduct business of agency with such skill as is generally possessed by persons engaged in similar business

8. BAILOR –BAILEE RELATION ` Safe custody ` facility offered by the bank Bank is under no obligation to accept the property of the customer for safe custody, it is not primary function of bank Wrong delivery of the articles kept with banker for safe custody to an unauthorised person is conversion (putting goods for ones own use) Banks take charge of goods, articles , securities as bailee not as trustee or agent Distinction between bailment and Agency – bailee does not represent bailor, bailee has no power to make contracts on bailor`s behalf He cannot make the bailor liable,for any acts he does

9. ADVISORY RELATIONS HIP Banks are specialized agencies of the financial sector, persons seek banks advice on Wealth management Project appraisal Loan syndication Financial engineering Portfolio management In case of securities market operations, registration and holding of valid certificate from SEBI, a prior condition Lessor-Lessee Relationship- when owns a building and lets it out to a customer

10. TOURNEIR PRINCIPLES Nature of duty cast upon banker – privity of contract; implied terms of contract When does the duty commence – moment banker-customer relationship is established How long does it exist – does not end merely on closer of account; extends to all other facts that may come to banker's knowledge from any other source Scope of secrecy – information obtained by bank in his capacity as Banker about it Customer [Tourneir v National Provincial Bank of England ( 1924)]

11. EXCEPTIONS TO THE PRINCIPLE Compulsion by law ( duty to obey an Act) Order of Govt. Income Tax Act Companies Act Banker's Book of Evidence Act 1934 RBI Act 1934 Banking Regulation Act 1949 Gift Tax Act 1958 Criminal Procedure Code1973 FEMA Public Interest Exception carved out in Tournier case (dealing with enemy) No such law exists in India Public funds involved Bank have higher duty than private duty (of secrecy)

12. TERMINATION OF BANKER / CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP Termination by mutual agreement customer and bank both agree to close the account. bank will pay out any credit balances Termination by customer Customer not obliged to give notice Customer demands payment of the credit balance A credit balance is closed by paying outstanding balance in full plus fees and charges owing . Termination by banker bank has to give notice allowing a reasonable time to enable the customer to set up new banking arrangements