Licence types · Banking

Banking licence

Full authorisation to accept deposits from the public and grant credit.

A banking (credit institution) licence is the most comprehensive and demanding financial authorisation. It is generally required to accept deposits from the public on a professional basis. Expect high capital, extensive governance, risk management, liquidity and reporting obligations, and long supervisory engagement.

By jurisdiction

🇨🇭 Switzerland

Swiss banking licence

Regulator: Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA)
Permitted activities: Professional acceptance of public deposits, lending, payment accounts and full banking services.
Minimum capital: Minimum fully paid-up share capital of CHF 10 million (Banking Ordinance, Art. 15); actual capital set by risk and FINMA.
Ownership, management & substance: Effective management in Switzerland; adequate organisation, fit-and-proper board and management, separation of board and executive management.
Application procedure: Application to FINMA with business plan, organisational regulations, capital and liquidity planning, audit firm report.
Government fees: Verification required
Indicative timeline: No reliable published estimate
Limitations: Foreign activities require separate authorisation in each target market.
Legal basis: Banking Act (BankA) Art. 3; Banking Ordinance

🇪🇺 European Union (passportable regimes)

EU credit institution

Regulator: European Central Bank (Banking Supervision) (ECB)
Permitted activities: Taking deposits or other repayable funds from the public and granting credits for own account.
Minimum capital: Initial capital of at least EUR 5 million (CRD Art. 12), subject to national options.
Ownership, management & substance: Head office in the member state of authorisation; two persons effectively directing the business; robust governance.
Application procedure: Application to national competent authority; licence granted by ECB for euro-area SSM members.
Government fees: Verification required — varies by member state
Indicative timeline: No reliable published estimate
Limitations: Passporting available within the EEA.
Legal basis: Directive 2013/36/EU (CRD); Regulation (EU) 575/2013 (CRR)

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

UK bank (deposit-taker)

Regulator: Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA)
Permitted activities: Accepting deposits and other regulated activities as permitted.
Minimum capital: Verification required — PRA sets capital under UK CRR; mobilisation route available.
Ownership, management & substance: UK presence and management.
Application procedure: Pre-application with PRA/FCA New Bank Support; optional mobilisation (restricted licence).
Government fees: Verification required
Indicative timeline: No reliable published estimate
Limitations: No EEA passporting after Brexit.
Legal basis: FSMA 2000 Part 4A

🇺🇸 United States

National bank charter

Regulator: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)
Permitted activities: Full banking business.
Minimum capital: Set during chartering — Verification required.
Ownership, management & substance: US presence; FDIC insurance application required for deposit insurance.
Application procedure: OCC charter application per Comptroller's Licensing Manual.
Government fees: Verification required
Indicative timeline: No reliable published estimate
Limitations: State charters are an alternative.
Legal basis: National Bank Act

🇦🇺 Australia

Authorised deposit-taking institution

Regulator: Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA)
Permitted activities: Banking business including deposit-taking.
Minimum capital: Verification required — APRA restricted ADI pathway exists.
Ownership, management & substance: Australian presence.
Application procedure: Application to APRA.
Government fees: Verification required
Indicative timeline: No reliable published estimate
Limitations: —
Legal basis: Banking Act 1959