When an application is filed for the authorization referred to in the preceding Article, the Prime Minister must examine whether the following criteria are met:
内閣総理大臣は、前条の認可の申請があつたときは、次に掲げる基準に適合するかどうかを審査しなければならない。
a merger, company split, or transfer or acquisition of all or part of a business, pursuant to the provisions of the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as the "merger, etc." in this Article) is appropriate in light of the smooth supply and demand of funds and customer convenience in the region where the bank, etc. (meaning a bank or long-term credit bank; hereinafter the same applies except in Article 52-60-2) or Shinkin bank, etc. which is party to the merger, etc. performs services (if a part of the business has been succeeded or is to be succeeded to in a company split or a part of the business is to be transferred or acquired, limited to the region in which that part of business is conducted);
it is unlikely that the merger, etc. is to disrupt the order of the financial system by impeding fair competition among financial institutions or in any other way; and
合併等が金融機関相互間の適正な競争関係を阻害する等金融秩序を乱すおそれがないものであること。
the bank filing the application for the authorization referred to in the preceding Article or the bank incorporated in the merger is fully expected to perform its services appropriately, fairly, and efficiently after the merger, etc.