Electronic Money Institution

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An Electronic Money Institution (EMI) is a financial institution that is authorised to issue electronic money and provide payment services such as domestic and international electronic funds transfers and can provide bank accounts and e-wallets. [1] EMIs are similar to banks except they are not allowed to lend money. The concept was developed in the European Union (EU) and the term was created as part of the EU's E-Money Directive (Directive 2009/110/EC) and has since spread to other countries. The term encompasses financial firms that provide payment services and bank account but don't have a full banking license. [2] [3] [4]

Contents

EMIs are generally licensed by the same government organisation that issues banking licenses, in most country's that is the central bank or equivalent government agency. They are used by fintech based challenger banks and similar disruptors that are competing against traditional banks for payment services. [5]

Licensing and regulations

In the European Union, an Electronic Money Institution can be licensed in any country member but can act and provide services in all EU and EEA countries. [6] The legal basis for e-money issuance in the European Union is covered by EU Directive 2009/110/EC, on the taking up, pursuit and prudential supervision of the business of electronic money institutions establishes, issued by the European Parliament and Council 16 September 2009. [7] [8] Electronic Money Institutions can provide a wide range of payment services, such as issuing bank accounts with IBANs, payment cards, e-wallets and other payment instruments requiring the storage of client's funds. The funds received by EMIs may not be protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) depending on the country but EMIs are required to safeguard them either via segregation in dedicated accounts or by covering them with insurance. [9] [10]

Countries beyond the EU have adopted rules to encourage novel entities to provide cost effective low value digital payment instruments to aid in digitizing different types of payments. [11]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "What is an electronic money institution?". De Nederlandsche Bank . Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  2. ↑ "E-money - Directive 2009/110/EC". europa.eu. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  3. ↑ "The Electronic Money Regulations 2011". legislation.gov.uk.
  4. ↑ "What is an e-money institution UK?". PSPLab. 13 April 2021.
  5. ↑ van Schaick, Jelle (13 March 2022). "What is an EMI Licence and Why do You Need One?". Intergiro.
  6. ↑ "Electronic Money Institution". www.ecovis.com. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  7. ↑ "Directive 2009/110/EC of the European Parliament and Council". European Central Bank. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  8. ↑ "What is an electronic money institution?". dnb.nl. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  9. ↑ "Safeguarding requirements". dnb.nl. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  10. ↑ Firpo, Janine (21 January 2009). "E-Money – Mobile Money – Mobile Banking – What's the Difference?".
  11. ↑ "Payment Systems - Electronic Money Institutions". State Bank of Pakistan. 2019.
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