The association supports the regulations objectives to establish a clear demarcation between a prudential regime that would be designed around credit institutions (CRD/CRR), and a more proportionate one aimed for a myriad of non-bank actors.
In this regard, EFAMA also believes that the accompanying remuneration provisions included in the Directive will help achieve a proportionate regime for investment firms non-bank staff.
Although some of the technical details will possibly need fine-tuning, we welcome the fact that the Commission has taken an important step forward towards a closer alignment of the existing MiFID regime for discretionary portfolio managers and advisors with the standards of the UCITS/AIFMD frameworks.
The self-standing prudential regime fits into the overarching CMU objectives to better respond to societal challenges in the face of ageing populations across the Member States, as well as adapting to the growing importance of the asset management industry within Europe.
It is in EFAMAs prime interest to continue investing our investors capital over the long-term. As such, we consider that a gradually harmonised and unique EU regime for asset management companies, irrespective of whether it is discretionary or collective, remains essential. Today, the Commission has taken a decisive step in this direction. Uncertainties nevertheless remain with regard to the role of national market supervisors in the European System of Financial Supervision, where the proposal preserves banking authorities oversight powers, as Members of the EBA, over investment firms under the new regime.
We look forward to continue working with the Commissions services and, from here onwards, with the Council and the European Parliament, by addressing some of the proposals technicalities, in view of putting this new regime in practice sooner, rather than later.
Ends
For media enquiries, please contact:
Peter De Proft, Director General
Telephone: +32 (0) 2 513 39 69
E-mail: info@efama.org
Ends
Notes to editors:
About the European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA):
EFAMA is the representative association for the European investment management industry. EFAMA represents through its 28 member associations and 62 corporate members close to EUR 23 trillion in assets under management at end 2016. At end June 2017, total net assets of European investment funds reached EUR 14.8 trillion, with over 31,200 of these funds were UCITS (Undertakings for Collective Investments in Transferable Securities) and over 28,300 funds composed of AIFs (Alternative Investment Funds). For more information about EFAMA, please visit www.efama.org.
