Recital 25

Pursuant to Directive 2006/48/EC, electronic money institutions are considered to be credit institutions, although they can neither receive deposits from the public nor grant credit from funds received from the public. Given the regime introduced by this Directive, it is appropriate to amend the definition of credit institution in Directive 2006/48/EC in order to ensure that electronic money institutions are not considered to be credit institutions. However, credit institutions should continue to be allowed to issue electronic money and to carry on such activity Community-wide, subject to mutual recognition and to the comprehensive prudential supervisory regime applying to them in accordance with the Community legislation in the field of banking. In the interests of maintaining a level playing field, however, credit institutions should, alternatively, be able to carry out that activity through a subsidiary under the prudential supervisory regime of this Directive, rather than under Directive 2006/48/EC.