1.   Upon completion of an investigation of an alleged infringement as set out in Annex V or VI to Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 and before submitting the file to the European Banking Authority (EBA) pursuant to Article 134(2) of that Regulation, the investigation officer shall inform the person subject to investigation in writing of its findings and shall provide that person with the opportunity to make written submissions in accordance with Article 134(5) of that Regulation.

2.   The statement of findings shall set out the facts liable to constitute one or more of the infringements as set out in Annex V or VI to Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, including an assessment of the nature and seriousness of those infringements, taking into account the criteria set out in Article 130(3) of that Regulation.

3.   The statement of findings shall set a reasonable time limit within which the person subject to investigation may make its written submissions. In investigations other than those referred to in Article 4, that time limit shall be at least four weeks. The investigation officer shall not be obliged to take into account written submissions received after the expiry of that time limit.

4.   In its written submissions, the person subject to investigation may set out all the facts known to it which are relevant to its defence, and shall, if possible, attach documents as proof of those facts. The person subject to investigation may propose that the investigation officer hears other persons who may corroborate the facts set out in the submissions of the person subject to investigation. The person subject to investigation may be assisted by a counsel of their choice in the preparation of written submissions.

5.   The investigation officer may invite a person subject to investigation to which a statement of findings has been addressed to attend an oral hearing. The persons subject to investigation may be assisted by a counsel of their choice. Oral hearings shall not be public.