Licensing Procedure for Commercial Banks in Azerbaijan
Article 8: Licensing Procedure for Commercial Banks
Step 1: Initial Application Submission
To obtain a banking license, an applicant must submit an initial application to the Financial Markets Supervisory Authority (FMSA) within 30 days after submitting a notification indicating that they have completed all necessary documents and requirements.
Step 2: FMSA Review Process
The FMSA reviews the initial application and attached documents within:
- 90 calendar days from the date of submission of the notification, if there are no foreign founders involved.
- 180 calendar days, if foreign founders are involved.
Step 3: Notification of Mistakes or Shortages
If the FMSA finds mistakes or shortages in the initial application or documents, they must send a written notification to the applicant within 15 days, proposing corrections.
Step 4: Decision on Initial Application
The decision on the initial application is made by the FMSA and must be sent to the applicant.
Positive Resolution
A positive resolution of the initial application includes:
- Bank business plant and minimum size of payable charter capital with consideration of types of banking activities submitted in documents.
- All restrictions included in the banking license and their explanation.
- Terms to be complied with by the applicant before issuance of a banking license, and requirements to them.
Rejection
If the FMSA rejects the initial application, they must indicate the reasons for rejection.
New Application
A new application submitted after rejection is considered as a new application.
Step 5: Payment of Minimum Charter Capital
If the FMSA accepts the initial application, it opens an account in the applicant bank’s name to obtain payment of the minimum size of the initial charter capital. The established bank must pay the minimum size of the initial charter capital within 180 calendar days from the date of decision on acceptance and undergo state registration in accordance with the Civil Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Step 6: Organizing Corporate Management System
Within this term, the established bank must organize a corporate management system, complete measures of technical provisions and security.