17. (1) Where, in the opinion of the Board or of the Governor, circumstances so warrant, the Bank may, notwithstanding any limitation contained in sub-clauses (a) and (b) of clause (2) or sub-clauses (a) and (b) of clause (3) or clause (4) of Article 16- (a) purchase, sell or discount any of the bills of exchange or promissory notes specified in sub-clause (a) or sub-clause (b) of clause (2) or sub-clause (b) of clause (3) of Article 16 though such bill or promissory note does not bear the signature of a scheduled bank; or (b) make advances or loans repayable on demand or on the expiry of fixed periods not exceeding ninety days against the various forms of security specified in clause (4) of Article 16 or against the security of goods or when the advance or loan is made to a banking company against such other form of security as the Bank may consider sufficient. (2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other law for the time being in force, where a banking company, to which an advance or loan has been made under the provisions of sub-clause (b) of clause (1) is wound up, any sum due to the Bank in respect of such advance or loan shall, subject only to the claims, if any, of any other banking company in respect of any prior claim or advance made by such banking company against any security, be a first charge on the assets of the banking company.