Dutch Consider Outlawing Calling for a Bank Run

The Dutch government says it studying a law that would make it a crime to call publicly for a run on a bank.

The move stems from the abrupt October 2009 collapse of DSB Bank NV. The regional Dutch bank was facing claims it overcharged mortgage clients, when a well-respected industry commentator called for all retail clients to pull their deposits.

Investors, skittish after the 2008 financial crisis, followed his advice and the seemingly healthy bank collapsed days later.