The European Banking Authority (EBA) has published a consultation paper on its draft guidelines on ancillary services undertakings (ASUs) specifying the criteria for the identification of activities referred to in Article 4(1)(18) of the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR), as amended by CRR III (Regulation 2024/1623). The draft guidelines set the criteria for the identification of: (a) activities that should be considered a "direct extension of banking"; and (b) activities that should be considered "ancillary to banking". They also outline the process to identify activities that the EBA may consider similar to those referred to in the CRR, to ensure that the guidelines remain responsive to emerging sources of risks.
The proper identification of ASUs plays a key role in determining the scope of prudential consolidation for banking groups, thereby enabling institutions to comply with the obligations laid down in the CRR on a consolidated basis. The EBA expects the guidelines to be read in conjunction with Regulation (EU) 2022/676 (regulatory technical standards on methods of prudential consolidation). The deadline for comments on the consultation is 7 October and a virtual public hearing is scheduled for 2 September. The date of application remains to be specified.
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