This practice note provides an overview of the CRD IV Directive (2013/36/EU), which is sometimes referred to simply as the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD). The CRD IV Directive applies to credit institutions and contains provisions relating to, among other things, the authorisation of credit institutions, qualifying holdings, passporting, corporate governance (including remuneration), Pillar 2 supervisory activities and capital buffers.

Together with the Capital Requirements Regulation (575/2013) (CRR), the CRD IV Directive forms a key part of the EU bank prudential framework.