False statements and rumors about financial institutions

(a) An institution-affiliated party who does any of the following shall be guilty of a class C felony punishable pursuant to sections 706-660 and 706-640: (1) With intent to deceive, makes any false or misleading statement or entry or omits any statement or entry required by law or rule to be made in any book, account, report or statement of the institution; or (2) Knowingly obstructs or endeavors to obstruct a lawful examination or investigation of the institution or any of its affairs by an official or employee of the division. (b) Any person who intentionally or knowingly makes, circulates, or transmits to another or others any statement or rumor, written, printed, or by word of mouth, which is untrue in fact and is directly or by inference derogatory to the financial condition or affects the solvency or financial standing of any Hawaii financial institution that is a depository financial institution, or who knowingly counsels, aids, procures, or induces another to start, transmit or circulate such statement or rumor, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable pursuant to sections 706-663 and 706-640. (c) Any person who maliciously or for personal financial gain makes, circulates, or transmits to another or others any statement or rumor, written, printed, or by word of mouth, which is untrue in fact and is directly or by inference derogatory to the financial condition or affects the solvency or financial standing of any Hawaii financial institution that is a depository institution, or who maliciously or for personal financial gain counsels, aids, procures, or induces another to start, transmit or circulate any such statement or rumor, shall be guilty of a class C felony punishable pursuant to sections 706-660 and 706-640.