UK's FSA - German short ban does not cover UK

LONDON, May 19 (Reuters) - Britain's top financial regulator said on Wednesday Germany's decision to ban naked short-selling of some bonds, stocks and credit protection would not apply to branches of German institutions outside the country.

'We note what Germany has implemented and will assist (German financial watchdog) Bafin where appropriate,' a spokeswoman for the Financial Services Authority said.

'The scope of these bans relates to German participants or business taking place inside Germany and does not cover branches of German institutions outside Germany or in the UK.'

(Reporting by Clara Ferreira-Marques) Keywords: GERMANY SHORTS/FSA ([e-mail]; [phone]; Reuters Messaging: rm://[e-mail]) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.