MiFID
The Markets in Financial Instruments Directive governs how funds (and other financial instruments) can be sold and distributed to investors throughout the EU. It does this by balancing investor protection (governing under what rules and conditions investment advice and portfolio management can be given) with providing the right amount of information about products and services (information about the products’ objectives and costs). In most cases, this type of financial advice, which connects funds with end investors, is provided not by fund managers, but by other financial players, such as banks or financial advisers.
Against this backdrop, EFAMA wants to ensure that these rules are balanced and the information provided to investors is meaningful. While more protection is necessary for retail investors, MiFID should allow other, more professional investors, more freedom in defining what information is necessary to conduct their day-to-day business. Also, MiFID must not make it impossible for ordinary EU citizens to access financial advice to save for their future and retirement.
EFAMA Response to EBA Discussion Paper on Designing a new prudential regime for investment firms
EFAMA welcomes the opportunity to respond to the EBA on its proposal for a new prudential regime for investment firms. As the EBA is aware, the activity of portfolio management on behalf of thirdparty clients broadly falls under three separate EU legal regimes:
i. Individual discretionary portfolio management performed by investment firms on a client-byclient basis, authorised under and complying with the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive, as per Annex I Section A, point 4 (as recently amended by MiFID II);
EFAMA’s comments on ESMA’s CP on draft guidelines on MiFID II product governance requirements
EFAMA welcomes ESMA’s Consultation Paper on product governance requirements and specifically on the target market assessment and supports that the details of these requirements are laid out in the form of guidelines rather than Q&A. We agree with ESMA that drafting target market guidelines is an important aspect “for ensuring the common, uniform and consistent application” of the MIFID II product governance requirements, in particular since these rules have the potential to significantly alter the European distribution landscape.
EFAMA & EFSA joint letter on FCA wholesale market data study
The FCA’s recent report on the wholesale data market is an important and high-quality study which echoes many long-standing buy-side concerns. It finds evidence of unequal market power in terms of market concentration, highly profitable margins, opaque pricing practices, excessive charging, bundling practices and complex licensing agreements, all of which negatively impact data users. Much of this data is indispensable for users to stay in business and fulfil regulatory obligations.
New rules establishing EU consolidated tape will boost capital markets, but could still go further
Today’s European Parliament vote concludes the MiFID/R review process
Joint trade associations urge policymakers not to concede to suboptimal outcomes in MiFIR review
EU asset managers, banks and brokers are today urging policy makers not to concede to pressure which will lead to suboptimal outcomes in the review of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID/R).
3 Questions to Rudolf Siebel on Market Data Costs
Q #1 Have you witnessed an increase in the cost of market data over the last couple of years? If so, how can it be explained?
Navigating the MiFIR Review: (Part 2) Consolidated Tape & Market Data
