Testing, failing neo-banks
Any bravura banking entry reliant on a restricted licence in Australia must plan to be a flop from early on. Or be set for a speedy trade sale.Two years and have to be up there matching the risk management standards of the wider banking sector - or you're out - is the APRA policy."The 'Restricted ADI licence' is granted for a maximum of two years, after which the company must either transition to an unrestricted banking licence by demonstrating that it fully meets the prudential framework, or exit the industry," the regulator explains in the latest edition of APRA Insight."The restricted route helps applicants build their resources and capabilities as they progress towards a full licence, but does not allow them to actively conduct banking business with the general public," APRA said. "This type of licence is aimed at applicants that do not have the resources or capabilities to immediately pursue an unrestricted licence through the direct route and that would benefit from an intermediate licensing step that allows limited banking business, such as testing deposit products with a small group of staff and associates."The sole entry so far to the Australian banking landscape on such a license is volt bank and, and many more may follow. Few will survive, APRA may be thinking.