Laws and Regulations

A focus on sustainability, digital resilience, and regulatory compliance will significantly influence investment strategies and operations, demanding heightened vigilance and adaptability from global asset managers. As Investment Officer Knowledge Partners, Tom Loonen, Lous Vervuurt and Jan Saalfrank at Pinsent Masons review key developments in Luxembourg and Dutch fund matters.

The European Commission is contemplating an alternative route towards a swift adoption the EU’s regulatory and technical standards for the forthcoming generation of European Long-Term Investment Funds under the new Eltif 2.0 regulation.

While Wall Street is pulling out all the stops to curb ‘Basel III Endgame’, private lenders are in pole position for implementation of the banking rules. The price at which US big banks can borrow money will be skillfully undercut by private credit funds, but critics in the banking sector denounce the lack of effective supervision of the ‘non-bank’ lenders.  

The trade association representing Europe’s fund and asset management sector has urged the executive body of the European Union to ensure that the correct technical standards are introduced. These standards are regarded as vital for the success of the new regime for European Long Term Investment Funds, known as Eltif 2.0.

European financial services had witnessed a marked decline in global market share over the past 15 years, particularly within the asset management sector. While reviewing the competitiveness of Europe’s financial sector, OMFIF and Luxembourg for Finance have identified Europe’s strengths and weaknesses.

The European Union’s Retail Investment Strategy is teetering on a tightrope.

Higher interest rates, the pace at which central banks will cut rates, a possible recession and regulations on sustainability and digitalisation. In their expectations for 2024, Investment Officer experts and columnists name these as the key themes. 

In the line-up below, our columnists and knowledge experts tell what challenges they expect within their field for the coming year. Which immediately answers the question about which topics you can expect contributions from them in 2024.

UK financial regulator the Financial Conduct Authority has announced plans to introduce a new overseas fund regime in April 2024. The FCA has also said it will hold a consultation in advance of the new system taking effect.

The European Council and the European Parliament on Thursday reached a preliminary agreement on a new European directive mandating corporate social responsibility for large companies, but that will, following lobby pressure, exclude the financial sector.

Luxembourg’s Financial Intelligence Unit is key to fulfilling Luxembourg’s international anti-money laundering/terrorist financing prevention obligations, reducing the perception that this country’s financial sector is somehow “above the rules”. Investment Officer recently had an opportunity to speak with FIU director Max Braun.