The AIFMD is one of the pillars of EU regulation for investment funds, crucial to the development of the Capital Markets Union and the EU’s post-pandemic economic recovery. Since 2010 the AIFMD has set high standards of harmonisation in the alternative investment fund management sector. It currently provides a consistent regulatory approach to potential risks of the financial system, better coordinated supervision, and a high level of investor protection.
EFAMA’s priority will be to ensure low touch review of the framework, and continue facilitating exchange of information amongst members to ensure the highest standards in the application of the measures.
EFAMA welcomes the European Securities and Market Authority’s continuous commitment to creating a single market for investment funds, confirmed by the draft regulatory standards currently under consideration. These RTS/ITS would further harmonise information that asset managers should provide to their national competent authorities before marketing or managing an investment fund on a cross-border basis, thus facilitating intra-EU product distribution.
EFAMA welcomes the decision of the European Commission to adopt a targeted approach in its review of the Alternative Investment Fund Management Directive (AIFMD), along with key harmonising provisions within the Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferrable Securities Directive (UCITSD). This focus on targeted improvements recognises the role this framework has played in encouraging the growth in the European Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) market over the past decade and its resilience even throughout recent market stresses.
EFAMA welcomes the European Commission’s review of the Alternative Investment Fund Management Directive (AIFMD), setting out targeted improvements to key provisions in the current framework. Such targeted improvements will make strides in advancing the Capital Markets Union. At the same time, they maintain the framework which has underpinned a decade of growth in the European Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) market and proven resilient even throughout recent market stresses.
The European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA) has today published its Quarterly Statistical Release describing the trends in the European investment fund industry in the first quarter of 2020 with key data and indicators for each EFAMA member countries.
Funds face unique challenges in performing intermediary oversight, and especially so because of MiFID II requirements, changing regulatory landscapes, and the absence of an industry agreed-upon standard between funds and their distribution channels. To help address these challenges, a dedicated working group developed a uniform due diligence questionnaire (DDQ) that will serve as the standard for investment funds (UCITS and AIFs) in performing onboarding and ongoing oversight of distribution channels.
