62021CJ0803_INF
Judgment of the Court (First Chamber) of 7 September 2023 –Versobank v ECB
(Case C‑803/21 P) (
1
)
(Appeal – Prudential supervision of credit institutions – Specific supervisory tasks assigned to the European Central Bank (ECB) – Decision to withdraw the authorisation of the credit institution Versobank AS – Division of powers between the ECB and the national competent authorities – Procedural rights – Procedural defects)
1.
Action for annulment – Pleas in law – Infringement of essential procedural requirements – Plea alleging infringement of procedural rules in the review of a decision of the European Central Bank (ECB) to withdraw the authorisation of a credit institution – Administrative procedure which might have led to a different result in the absence of that irregularity – Absence
(Art. 263 TFEU; Council Regulation No 1024/2013, Art. 4(1)(a); European Parliament and Council Directive 2013/36, Art. 18)
(see paragraphs 48-50)
2.
Economic and monetary policy – Economic policy – Supervision of the EU financial sector – Single supervisory mechanism – Prudential supervision of credit institutions – Withdrawal of the authorisation of a credit institution on the ground of infringement of national legislation on combatting money laundering and the financing of terrorism – Exclusive competence of the European Central Bank (ECB) – Legal assessment of the facts that constitute the infringements found by the national authorities – Included
(Council Regulation No 1024/2013, recital 28 and Arts 4(1)(a) and 14(5); European Parliament and Council Directives 2005/60 and 2013/36, Arts 18(f) and 67(1))
(see paragraphs 96-99, 140, 141)
3.
Action for annulment – Interest in bringing proceedings – Interest to be assessed at the time at which an action is brought – Action brought against a decision of the European Central Bank (ECB) withdrawing a credit institution’s authorisation – Decision repealed and replaced by a decision with identical content taken in the context of the review procedure – Action capable of securing a benefit for the applicant – Absence
(Art. 263 TFEU; Council Regulation No 1024/2013, Art. 24)
(see paragraphs 159, 160, 168)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the appeal;
2.
Orders Versobank AS to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by the European Central Bank (ECB);
3.
Orders the European Commission to bear its own costs.
(
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)	OJ C 73, 14.2.2022.