I am informed by the Central Bank that the number of applications for a banking licence which it received in the past five years is as follows:
2015 (YTD) None
2014 None
2013 Dell Bank International Limited licence granted [US]
2012 None
2011 None
2010 None
In addition to the above, EBS Limited was granted a banking licence in 2011 on the conversion of EBS from a building society to a bank.
It should be noted that the Central Bank operates an internal two-step process to bank licensing. Step 1 is whereby the potential applicant submits a proposal for authorisation. This is then reviewed by the Central Bank and if it is considered that the proposal meets the criteria for the granting of a banking licence then, under Step 2, an application is submitted. If the proposal does not meet the criteria then it is returned to the potential applicant. I am informed by the Central Bank that the data provided in this response refers only to applications received at Step 2.