Aprila Bank ASA: Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority confirms compliance with EBA retail diversification guidelines – provides regualtory clarity on the risk-weight treatment of Aprila’s retail exposures

In February 2026, the European Banking Authority (EBA) published its guidelines on proportionate retail diversification methods (EBA/GL/2026/02), which have applied since 19 May 2026.

On 12 August 2026, the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority (NFSA) confirmed that it will comply with the guidelines. 

The guidelines establish a harmonised, proportionate framework for assessing whether a bank's retail portfolio is sufficiently diversified to qualify for the preferential retail risk weight under the standardised approach in the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR).

Aprila Bank has classified eligible exposures as retail exposures in accordance with Article 123 of the CRR since 30 September 2021. NFSA’s confirmation provides regulatory clarity regarding the bank’s application of retail classification to eligible SME exposures and removes the uncertainty previously associated with their risk-weight treatment. 

“NFSA’s confirmation represents the regulatory confirmation we have anticipated for several years. The guidelines remove the remaining uncertainty related to the risk-weight treatment of our retail exposures and support our continued growth ambitions,” says CEO Kjetil Barli. 

About Aprila Bank
Aprila Bank offers accessible and convenient credit to small and medium-sized businesses underserved by traditional banks. The bank’s business model combines proprietary data-driven underwriting, fully digital origination and servicing, and a scalable technology platform. The bank commenced operations in April 2018.

For further information, please contact:
Espen Engelberg
CFO
+47 954 55 405
espen@aprila.no