Ever since the term “shadow banking” has emerged from the FSB’s working circles in the immediate aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis[1], our association has consistently argued that its use as a reference to regulated asset management companies and their funds is inaccurate and mis-leading.
Management Companies
EFAMA has been looking at legislative proposals with a direct impact on asset management companies and services, and closely follows any regulatory developments of critical importance to the sector. In addition to issues related to risk management and financial stability, high up on the agenda of EFAMA members is the framework for a prudential regime for Investment Firms (IFD/R), and related implementing measures directly descending from such framework.
EFAMA is focused on minimising the impact of the rules on asset management companies, in particular those holding a limited MiFID license. Key to the sector is the need for proportionality, especially firms that are not authorised to hold client money/securities, or to deal on their own account.
EFAMA's response to the EBA consultation on draft RTS criteria for the identification of shadow banking entities
Distance marketing of consumer financial services – Review of EU rules
EFAMA provided high-level comments to the Commission’s consultation on the potential review of the Directive on Distance Marketing of Consumer Financial Services.
We agree with the Commission’s interpretation that the Directive is seen as a “safety net” for financial services not already subject to product-specific legislation. Fund and asset managers are already subject to various, more stringent and detailed sectoral legislations, such as (but not limited to) UCITS, AIFMD and MiFID as well as the (more recent) Cross-Border Fund Distribution Directives.
EU retail investments: comprehensive strategy to increase retail investor participation required
EFAMA wholeheartedly supports a retail investment strategy that gives EU citizens the necessary tools and the confidence to put their savings to work by investing in capital markets.
FSB consultation on liquidity preparedness for margin calls in non-bank financial intermediation
EFAMA agrees with the FSB that market participants should integrate the management of margin and collateral calls into their risk management, governance, and operational processes.
EFAMA’s position on the EC's review of the AIFM and UCITS directives
We welcome the targeted approach of the Commission in its review, recognising the overall success of the frameworks over the past decade.
Annual European Asset Management Report - Report highlights key developments in the European fund industry
The European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA) has released the 13th edition of its Asset Management in Europe report, which provides in-depth analysis of recent trends in the European asset management industry, focussing on where investment funds and discretionary mandates are managed in Europe.
Annual Report 2016
Asset Management Report 2017
Closet Index Funds
EFAMA has reviewed ESMA’s statement “Supervisory work on potential index tracking”, which sets out research to determine whether any indication of closet indexing could be found at EU level. To contribute to the debate on this matter, EFAMA has prepared a paper, which highlights the limits of identifying closet index funds through a statistical analysis, drawing on recently published research papers.