1.Notwithstanding Article 40(5), the combined total of pre-financing and interim payments shall not exceed 90 % of the Community contribution, as set out in the financial table of the operational programmes.
2.All exchanges concerning financial transactions between the Commission and the authorities and bodies referred to in Article 21 shall be made by electronic means, as provided for in the financing agreement.
3.In addition to the provisions of Article 42, payments for the pre-financing may amount to 30 % of the European Union contribution for the three most recent years of the programme concerned. Where necessary, with regard to the availability of budgetary commitment, the pre-financing may be paid in two instalments.
4.In the case of the regional development component, at the time of the revision of operational programmes as referred to in Article 156, the pre-financing referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article may be increased up to a maximum of 30 % of the Community contribution for the three most recent years.