MFSA Launches New Framework for Alternative Investor Funds

On the 11th February 2016, the Malta Financial Services Authority (the “MFSA”) announced the launch of a new framework to be referred to as the Notified Alternative Investment Funds regime (the “Notified AIFs”). This new regime is expected to solve time to market issues being faced by a number of AIFMs wishing to launch AIFs and market them to investors in a tight time frame to meet market opportunities.

While the MFSA has issued a notice in relation to the proposed framework applicable to the Notified AIFs1 setting out the key highlights of the new regime, the final MFSA rules in relation to the new framework are yet to be published.

The adoption of the Notified AIF regime necessitates changes in the current laws. Amendments to such laws are expected to be submitted to the Ministry for its approval in early April. Once these are approved, the MFSA will issue rules on this new framework. Together with the MFSA rules, the MFSA will also publish all pro-forma documentation which is to be submitted to the MFSA with the notification request by the AIFM. It is expected that requests for Notified AIFs will be accepted during Q2 of 2016.

Click here to view the full article that includes details of the key highlights of the new regime.

 


1 http://www.mfsa.com.mt/pages/announcement.aspx?id=7446