Title: Romania’s Financial Regulatory Authorities: An Overview of Credit Institutions, Payment Services, and Electronic Money Institutions Registries

I. Introduction

In the intricate world of finance, Romania’s financial regulatory authorities serve a pivotal role in ensuring the stability, transparency, and security of financial institutions within Romania and beyond. The National Bank of Romania (NBR) is the primary institution responsible for regulating and supervising various financial sectors, including credit institutions, payment institutions and account information service providers, electronic money institutions, and non-bank financial institutions.

II. Credit Institutions Registry

A. Domestic Legal Entities

The NBR oversees credit institutions in Romania, consisting of Romanian legal entities and branches of foreign institutions (Article 32 of GEO no. 99/2006). Romanian legal person credit institutions may operate solely based on NBR authorization and under its prudential supervision.

B. Branches of Foreign Institutions

1. Branches of third-country institutions: Different regulatory frameworks apply as outlined in Article 67 of the same legislation.
2. Branches of EU Member State institutions: Follow unique regulatory frameworks as per Article 45.

III. Payment Institutions and Account Information Service Providers Registry

A. Entity Type

The NBR administers the registry for payment institutions and account information service providers established in Romania or offering their services cross-border within the EU (Law no. 209/2019).

B. Available Data

Machine-readable files in JSON format are available for data records and services index.

IV. Electronic Money Institutions Registry

A. Entity Type

The NBR oversees electronic money institutions operating within Romania or providing their services on a cross-border basis (Law no. 210/2019).

B. Regulatory Compliance

These entities are subject to prudential supervision.

V. Registries of Non-Bank Financial Institutions

A. Available Registries

The NBR maintains the registries for non-bank financial institutions, including the General Register, Special Register, and Entry Register. These registers are accessible only in Romanian.

B. Cross-Border Listings

The NBR lists institutions from other EU Member States and third countries providing services on a cross-border basis within Romania. These lists encompass credit institutions, payment institutions, and electronic money institutions.

C. UK Entities

The NBR maintains records of entities based in the UK that have ceased providing services through branches, agents, distributors, or directly, as of January 1, 2021.

VI. Professional Training Bodies Recognition

The NBR recognizes professional training bodies in the field of financial instruments. Currently recognized bodies include the Romanian Banking Institute, Institute of Financial Studies, Centrul de Pregătire Financiară Millenium, and AS Financial Markets S.R.L.