EU Fund regulation
The EU fund product landscape is deep, diverse and dynamic. Since the birth of the UCITS framework in 1985, European institutions have progressively refined it into a global “gold standard”, one that successfully balances strict regulatory requirements with the flexibility required by manager to meet evolving client demands. The successful evolution of UCITS was followed by the creation of alternative investment funds (AIFs) under the 2011 AIFM Directive, adding a second important pillar to EU fund/manager regulation. Building on this second pillar are further ambitious EU fund products, such as EUSEFs, EUVECAs and ELTIFs. EFAMA has helped guide all of these key regulatory developments, informing policymakers and regulators on their main merits and drawbacks, while also keeping a close eye on their respective review initiatives.
EFAMA strongly supports a fundamental review to the ELTIF regime, in view of broadening its eligible investment universe and adapting it to better meet retail investor needs. We are also closely monitoring the review of the AIFM Directive from a product regulation standpoint, including possible spillover effects on the UCITS Directive requirements. Further work involves keeping pace with relevant ESMA initiatives, such as the work around the Common Supervisory Action on costs and fees for UCITS.
EFAMA's response to ESMA's CP on Implementing technical Standards under Regulation (EU) 2019/1156
Counterparty and liquidity risks in ETFs - EFAMA response to ECB
Our comment paper confutes the ECB study’s main findings by focusing on its two core areas, namely
liquidity and counterparty risks inherent to the structure and functioning of ETFs. A final section
considers the merits of further regulatory action addressed at the European ETF industry.
EFAMA’s comments on ESMA’s CP on Draft regulatory technical standards under Article 25 of ELTIF Regulation
Transforming ELTIFs into a product of choice for investors
The European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA) today shared its recommendations to the European Commission on measures to be taken to improve the European Long-Term Investment Fund (ELTIF) regime.
Monthly Statistics November 2020 | News of vaccines drove record net sales of UCITS equity funds
The European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA) has today published its latest monthly Investment Fund Industry Fact Sheet, which provides net sales data of UCITS and AIFs for November 2020*.
Monthly Statistics October 2020 | Inflows in bond funds drive positive UCITS net sales in October
The European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA) has today published its latest monthly Investment Fund Industry Fact Sheet, which provides net sales data of UCITS and AIFs for October 2020*.
Bernard Delbecque, Senior Director for Economics and Research commented: "Net sales of UCITS equity funds, although remaining positive, fell to a very low level in October against the backdrop of increases in Covid-19 cases and new lockdown measures."
The main developments in October 2020 can be summarized as follows:
Infographic | New proposals expected from the European Commission in 2025
The new European Commission is under pressure to act quickly and decisively and are moving full steam ahead with their policy priorities in 2025.
We can expect numerous new regulatory proposals in areas of importance for asset managers, including simplification, boosting competitiveness, financial stability and a new Savings & Investment Union proposal.
The focus on competitiveness and regulatory simplicity is definitely a step in the right direction after many years of ballooning regulatory complexity.
The costs of UCITS and US mutual funds | Market Insights | Issue #8
It is often argued that European citizens are not able to fully benefit from the single market for investment funds, on the basis that the cost of UCITS is higher than the cost of mutual funds in the United States (US). In this Market Insights, we analyse this question by carrying out a detailed comparison of the cost of UCITS and US mutual funds, taking into account the various ways of calculating costs as well as the differences between Europe and the US in the way investment funds are distributed.
Asset Management Report 2021
This is our 13th edition of the Asset Management in Europe report, which provides an in-depth analysis of recent trends in the European asset management industry, focussing on where investment funds and discretionary mandates are managed in Europe.