Bank & EMI Licensing

Bank & EMI authorisation advisory.

Overview

We provide advisory and application-preparation support for banking and Electronic Money Institution (EMI) authorisations. A bank licence permits deposit-taking and lending; an EMI licence permits issuing e-money and providing payment/wallet services but is not a full bank. We help you scope the right authorisation and build the application — the regulator decides whether to grant it, and approval is never guaranteed.

Why consider it

Offer payment, e-money or (for a bank licence) deposit and lending services lawfully

Choose between an EMI/payment licence and a full banking licence based on your model and capital

Suits well-capitalised teams with experienced management and a robust compliance function

Not suitable if you cannot meet substantial capital, governance and local-substance requirements

What UNICORP provides

Assessment of whether an EMI, payment-institution or full bank licence fits your model

Business plan, financial model and regulatory policy preparation

Corporate structuring and support appointing qualified directors and a compliance/MLRO function

Coordination of the application and liaison with the regulator

Guidance on capital, safeguarding and ongoing prudential/AML reporting

How it works

Feasibility

We clarify the licence type, jurisdiction and capital your model requires.

Build the application

We prepare the business plan, governance and compliance documentation.

Regulator engagement

We submit and manage the application and respond to regulator queries.

Operational readiness

We support safeguarding, reporting and ongoing compliance once authorised.

Jurisdictions & options

Lithuania (EMI/PI) United Kingdom (FCA) Malta (MFSA) Labuan (Labuan FSA) Mauritius (FSC) Puerto Rico (IFE)

Quote-based engagement

Regulatory capital, government fees, legal and audit costs are substantial, set by the regulator/jurisdiction, and quoted per engagement — always separate from and additional to our advisory fee.

Frequently asked

Is an EMI the same as a bank?

No. An EMI (or payment institution) issues e-money and provides payment services but generally cannot take deposits or lend like a bank, and e-money must be safeguarded rather than covered by deposit insurance. We help you choose the right authorisation and describe each accurately.

Will you obtain the licence for us?

We prepare and coordinate the application, but banking and EMI licences are granted by prudential regulators after detailed assessment of capital, ownership and management. We cannot guarantee approval, capital thresholds or timelines.

Official references

Bank of Lithuania — EMI authorisation UK FCA

Requirements, fees and categories are set by the relevant authority and should be confirmed against its current official guidance.

Bank and EMI authorisation is a heavily regulated activity with capital, safeguarding, governance and AML/CFT requirements set by the regulator. This is general information, not legal or financial advice; we do not guarantee approval.

Related services

Ready to move forward with Bank & EMI Licensing?

Request a tailored quote or talk to a UNICORP specialist.

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