Withdrawal of licence

Published: 25/4/2023 Modified: 5/6/2023

The reasons for revocation of authorisation are defined in Article 69 of the Credit Institutions Act.

The ECB and the CNB may submit a proposal to withdraw the authorization, but the final decision is the responsibility of the ECB. It may also be submitted by a credit institution in a written notification to the CNB stating that it no longer intends to provide the banking and/or financial services for which authorisation has been granted (Article 69, paragraph (1), item (2) of the Credit Institutions Act).

If the CNB considers that a credit institution’s authorisation should be withdrawn (in whole or in part), including a withdrawal at the credit institution’s request, it will submit to the ECB a draft decision proposing the withdrawal of the authorisation (draft withdrawal decision), together with any relevant supporting documents. The ECB shall assess the CNB's draft withdrawal decision without undue delay and accept or reject the CNB's draft withdrawal decision.

If the ECB becomes aware of circumstances that may warrant the withdrawal of an authorisation, it will assess, on its own initiative, whether the authorisation should be withdrawn in accordance with the relevant Union law. The ECB may consult with the CNB at any time. The ECB honours the credit institution’s right to be heard, as provided for in Article 31 of the SSM Framework Regulation and informs the CNB of any comments provided by the credit institution.

In accordance with the stipulations of Article 73 of the Credit Institutions Act, the decision to revoke the authorisation to provide financial services shall be adopted: 1) where a credit institution obtained authorisation on the basis of false or inaccurate documentation or false presentation of data relevant to its operation; 2) where a credit institution no longer meets the technical, personnel, organisational and other requirements for the provision of individual types of financial services; 3) where a credit institution no longer meets the requirements laid down in other regulations governing the provision of financial services; or 4) where a credit institution submits a written notification stating that it no longer intends to provide one or more financial services for which authorisation has been granted.

Lapsing of the authorisation is possible in several situations as provided for in Article 68 of the Credit Institutions Act: opening of the voluntary winding-up of a credit institution, in a case of a merger of credit institutions, in a case of a merger by acquisition to another credit institution, when participating in the merger by formation of a new credit institution, in a case of division by formation of new credit institutions, or in a case of the compulsory winding-up against a credit institution. Authorisation to provide financial services and all other authorisations granted to a credit institution shall lapse at the same time as the credit institution's authorisation.