Banking System

A bank is a financial institution licensed by the Croatian National Bank (CNB, or HNB in Croatian) and established as a public limited company based in the Republic of Croatia.

In addition to banking services, a bank may provide other financial services, which is based on a licence from the CNB.

Hrvatska narodna banka

The minimum amount of authorised capital required to establish a bank is HRK 40 million. The shares of the bank must be registered and fully paid in cash prior to bank registration or before an increase in authorised capital is registered. The shares must be released in dematerialised form. Whether direct or indirect, acquisitions of a bank’s shares (by the same person) which ensure a certain capital interest or voting rights are subject to prior approval by the CNB if the portion to be gai ned is 10% or more (a qualifying holding), 20% or more, 33% or more, 50% or more or 75% or more.

 

The minimum capital adequacy rate is 10%, although the Croatian National Bank may also set a higher rate if it has been found that the bank’s business contains risks.

Bank operations must follow the principles of liquidity and solvency.

Certain provisions have been adopted with the new Banks Act that will come into force on the day when Croatia becomes full member of the EU.

A foreign bank may provide banking and other financial services in the Republic of Croatia only through a branch licensed by the Croatian National Bank. A branch is not a legal entity. In the Republic of Croatia, it may conduct business operations with third persons within the authority given by the parent bank, with the latter being liable for all commitments arising in Croatia from transactions carried out by the branch. In order to issue a licence, the CNB may make it a condition that the foreign bank deposit a certain amount of money or provide another security to make sure that liabilities in the Republic of Croatia will be settled.

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