Financial Services Regulation and Compliance - Investment Firms August 2026

Domestic

Authorisation and post-authorisation applications to be submitted via portal in due course

The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) announced that, in due course, applicant firms seeking authorisation under MiFID II, and all other post-authorisation applications, will be required to submit application-related documentation through the CBI’s portal. A system guide will be published in advance of the launch date, which has yet to be confirmed.

European

Consultation relating to the threshold for reclassification of MiFID investment firms as credit institutions

On 25 August 2026, the European Banking Authority (EBA) launched a consultation on three draft regulatory technical standards (RTS) relating to the reclassification of MiFID investment firms as credit institutions when they exceed a €30bn total assets threshold. Under the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD IV), MiFID investment firms whose total assets exceed €30bn are required to obtain a credit institution authorisation rather than operate under a MiFID investment firm authorisation. The draft RTS’ aim to clarify:

• how total assets should be calculated against the threshold referred to in Article 4(1)(1)(b) of the Capital Requirements Regulation and under Article 8a(6)(b) of CRD IV
• how investment firms should report threshold information to competent authorities under Article 55(5) of the Investment Firms Regulation
• the conditions under which competent authorities can decide to grant a waiver from the requirement to hold a credit institution authorisation under Article 8a(3a) of CRD IV

Date published: 15 September 2026

This publication provides an overview of certain legal and regulatory developments that may be of interest to certain entities. It does not purport to provide analysis of law or legal advice and is strictly for information purposes only.