Preparation for the submission of application: an introductory stage, during which Latvijas Banka organises a meeting with an entrepreneur to discuss its planned activities. At this stage, the company does not necessarily have to be established yet.

What does the entrepreneur do?

• Prepares information on the shareholder, stockholder and officials of the enterprise.
• Prepares general information on the type of capital financing and the origin of funds.
• Prepares information on the planned business model: procedures for the provision of services, organising payment flows, customers, countries in which the service will be provided.
• Starts the drafting of the necessary documents.

What does Latvijas Banka do?

• Provides advice regarding the applicable regulatory framework.
• Carries out an assessment of the initial business project and procedures.
• Assesses whether the authorisation process can be continued.
• Provides advice on documents to be submitted.

What should be taken into account?

• Please refer carefully to the regulatory requirements – information is available on the website of Latvijas Banka.
• Assess the need to attract qualified experts or consultants.

Documents to be submitted:

• the CVs of the shareholder, stockholder and officials;
• a description of the service and its provision;
• general information on the type of planned capital financing and the origin of funds.

Costs

Preparing for submission of the application and provision of advice by Latvijas Banka are free of charge.

Submission of application: An entrepreneur prepares and submits an application for authorisation.

What does the entrepreneur do?

• Submits a fully completed application and all necessary information, documents in accordance with the requirements of Article 12 of Regulation No 2020/1503 and with the Regulatory Technical Standards for the authorisation.
• Receives information from Latvijas Banka regarding the starting the examination of the application for authorisation or on deficiencies to be addressed in the submitted application.
• Provides the necessary additional explanations.

What does Latvijas Banka do?

• Carries out an assessment of the completeness of the application within 25 working days (the assessment of the application as to the substance is not yet ongoing).
• If the application is incomplete, Latvijas Banka sends a letter to the entrepreneur indicating the deficiencies identified which need to be addressed.
• If the application is complete, Latvijas Banka sends a letter to the entrepreneur informing that an assessment of the application for authorisation has started.
• Latvijas Banka designates the project manager and gives the entrepreneur access to the project management tool, which will help to follow the process.

What should be taken into account?

• Before submitting the application, please apply for advice offered by experts of Latvijas Banka.
• Make sure that the documents to be submitted are complete and of high-quality.
• Check that all necessary documents have been submitted (see a list of documents to be submitted).

List of documents to be submitted

Requirements for the list of documents to be submitted are laid down in Article 12 of Regulation No 2020/1503 and Regulatory Technical Standards for obtaining authorisation (hereinafter – RTS). Currently, ESMA has finalised development of RTS and has published the final draft version, which is pending adoption by Europen Commission; however, please use the draft form in the Annex to the RTS.

1. A legal person submits an application for authorisation as a crowdfunding service provider. The application shall be prepared in accordance with the RTS requirements.

2. The application is accompanied by:

2.1. a programme of operations describing the intended types of crowdfunding services and the crowdfunding platform that it intends to operate, including where and how crowdfunding offers are to be marketed;

2.2. a description of governance arrangements and internal control mechanisms to ensure compliance with the Regulation, including risk management and accounting procedures;

2.3. a description of IT systems, resources and procedures for the control and safeguarding of the data processing systems;

2.4. a description of operational risks and the procedures for their management;

2.5. a description of prudential safeguards in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (including financial forecasts for the following three years);

2.6. proof that prudential safeguards are met in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation;

2.7. a description of business continuity plan which, taking into account the nature, scale and complexity of the crowdfunding services, establishes measures and procedures that ensure, in the event of failure of the prospective crowdfunding service provider, the continuity of the provision of critical services related to existing investments and sound administration of agreements between the prospective crowdfunding service provider and its customers;

2.8. documents certifying the identity of the natural persons responsible for the management of the prospective crowdfunding service provider;

2.9. CV and certificate from the criminal record register on absence of a criminal record from countries where the persons responsible for the management of the prospective crowdfunding service provider and shareholders who hold 20 % or more of the share capital or voting rights have carried out commercial activities. In addition, information on the education of the persons involved in the management and proving that those persons have sufficient knowledge, skills and experience, necessary to manage the prospective crowdfunding service provider;

2.10. a description of internal rules aimed at preventing persons referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 8 of the Regulation from participating in crowdfunding services as project owners;

2.11. a description of procedures for outsourcing;

2.12. a description of procedures for handling customer complaints;

2.13. a description of the procedures for organising payment flows, including confirmation of whether the prospective crowdfunding service provider intends to provide payment services on its own or through a third party in accordance with Directive (EU) 2015/2366, or using the procedures in accordance with paragraph 5 of Article 10 of Regulation;

2.14. a description of the procedures to verify the completeness, correctness and clarity of the information contained in the key investment information sheet;

2.15. a description of procedures in relation to investment limits for non-sophisticated investors referred to in paragraph 7 of Article 21 of Regulation.

Costs

EUR 2500 for examining documents and information submitted for authorisation (should be paid upon official submitting of the application).

Time limit for examining the application

Three months starting from confirmation that the application is complete and Latvijas Banka has started its evaluation. The time limit for examining the application may be extended if the information provided in the application is not sufficient to take a decision on the issue of authorisation.

Assessment of application: Latvijas Banka carries out the assessment of the application as to the substance.

What does the entrepreneur do?

• Follows the examination process by using the project management tool.

• Provides answers to additional information requests by Latvijas Banka as soon as possible.

• Corrects the submitted documents according to Latvijas Banka's instructions.

• Participates in meetings held by Latvijas Banka.

What does Latvijas Banka do?

• Carries out the assessment of the application as to the substance.
• Contacts the contact person of the entrepreneur in case of identification of deficiencies.
• Draws up a letter if deficiencies are identified in the application.
• Continues the examination of the application pursuant to the additions submitted.
• Completes the examination of the application.

What should be taken into account?

• Follow the process of the examination of the application.
• Provide additional explanations and make the necessary corrections as soon as possible.
• Representatives of the entrepreneur are invited to participate in meetings with Latvijas Banka, not only consultants (if any).

Costs 

No additional costs associated with the examination of documents during the assessment stage of the application are applied.

Receipt of authorisation: Latvijas Banka finalises the examination of the application and takes a decision on the issue or refusal to issue authorisation.

What does the entrepreneur do?

• Prepares to obtain authorisation and commence operations in accordance with the business plan.
• Designates users of Latvijas Banka's Data Reporting System for future communication with Latvijas Banka and submission of performance reports.

What does Latvijas Banka do?

• Prepares a decision on the issue or refusal to issue authorisation.
• Informs the entrepreneur of the decision taken.
• Places information on the website and sends a copy of the decision to the ESMA.

What should be taken into account?

• Please refer to the information provided by Latvijas Banka on access to the Data Reporting System.
• Please refer to information related to the requirements and procedures for reporting.
• Prepare to commence activities in accordance with the approved business plan and procedures.

Costs 

No additional costs associated with obtaining authorisation during the stage of obtaining authorisation.

Supervision: Latvijas Banka supervises activities of the company in accordance with requirements of Regulation No 2020/1503

What does the entrepreneur do?

• Provides answers to Latvijas Banka's requests.
• Prepares reports in accordance with laws and regulations.
• Notifies Latvijas Banka of changes in documents submitted for authorisation.
• Notifies Latvijas Banka of changes in the procedures for the provision of crowdfunding services.
• Reports on material incidents during the provision of crowdfunding services.
• Gets acquainted with the company’s curator designated by Latvijas Banka.

What does Latvijas Banka do?

• Designates the company’s curator.
• Assesses compliance of the company with the regulatory requirements.
• Requests additional information on the business and performance of the company.
• Examines the reports and supervisory information.
• Cooperates with the ESMA on supervisory issues.

What should be taken into account?

• In case of uncertainties, please contact the curator designated by Latvijas Banka.
• Submit reports and requested supervisory information on a regular basis.
• Notify of changes in the process of the provision of services, as well as changes in documents submitted for authorisation, including in case of changes of officials or participants.

Costs

After registration in the register of crowdfunding service providers, the company pays EUR 4000 per year for the financing of Latvijas Banka's activities and up to 1.4 percent (inclusive) per year of gross revenue, but not more than EUR 100 000 per year.