Contact

News & Insights

Around the Branches: Changing Times for Financial Firms in Malta

MFSA Takes Inspiration from FCA

Over recent years, Malta’s financial sector has received serious scrutiny over its failure to provide a consistently reassuring level of regulation. However, the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) recently announced that it will be adopting a new regulatory strategy that is to be based on Britain’s much-lauded Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) compliance model.

This important development follows a number of concerning events, including the money laundering-related collapse of the banks Namea and Satabank.

Malta’s financial sector had previously received significant adverse publicity following the 2017 murder of the Panama Papers investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and in June this year, the European Banking Authority (EBA) expressed “serious concerns” regarding the MFSA’s regulation of financial institutions, although it conceded that there was not enough evidence available to prove there had been any breach of EU law.

Joseph Cuschieri, the MFSA’s Chief Executive Officer, told International Adviser* that the international financial services environment has changed dramatically following the 2008 financial crisis as a result of new directives which have come into force.

“But,” he said, “the [MFSA] didn’t develop at the same pace. I think it lagged behind in terms of resources, upscaling and certain standards, which need to go up if we are to be on par with our peers.”*

As a response to the negativity, Cuschieri has made it his mission to modernise the MSFA and to provide it with a much-needed boost in resources.

The goal is clear: Cuschieri says he wishes to reproduce the good practice and supervisory programme of the Financial Conduct Authority. Doing so, he believes, will ensure that financial services firms are fully aware of what the regulator expects and this will mean there can be no doubt or excuses.

“I personally believe in the self-regulatory approach, which is the British approach,” said Cuschieri. “The British system is a culture of compliance, which is a traditional regime.”*

He contrasted the British system with the prevailing European approach, which he characterised as being less to-the-point and inducing a climate of fear for financial services providers.

Growing the regulatory reputation

This year the MFSA has had a €28million budget to work with; 70% of which was earmarked for compliance, while significant sums are also being devoted to fighting money laundering and the financing of terrorism. These sums are contributing to the organisation’s Vision 2021 plan, all of which, Maltese authorities hope, will result in the transformation of the MFSA into a “trustworthy supervisory authority”.*

However, there is still work to be done. For example, there is a finite amount of financial crime expertise in Malta and Cuschieri conceded that the MFSA may need to source top level talent from abroad, particularly the UK. The authority is also taking advice from the US to develop training programmes, and, it is hoped, that these new resources will help improve scrutiny and supervision.

Ultimately, the MFSA wishes to attract new and more diverse financial services industries to Malta, not least UK-based insurers and financial services firms looking to leave the UK post-Brexit.

Blacktower FM in Malta

Blacktower FM provides expats in Malta with help and guidance on pension transfers, wealth management and financial planning.

Based in Birkirkara, close to the University of Malta, our advisers are committed to helping you reach your goals.

Call us on +356 2144 5206, fill out our contact form above, or visit our office for more information and advice today.

* https://international-adviser.com/financial-services-firms-in-malta-to-be-put-on-notice/ Accessed 20-09-19

Other News

Potential loss of free movement for Britons high on Brexit talks agenda

Passenger PlaneAs Brexit negotiations continue, the freedom of movement that expats in Europe will be entitled to is still unclear.

While many expats are worried about whether they’ll have trouble staying in their destination of choice in a post-Brexit world, it now appears that they may also be in a difficult situation if they ever plan to move anywhere else.

Read More

Brexit update

Global markets have now risen steadily across the board as the volatility spike following Britain’s surprise decision to leave the EU died down and investors realised that, although unexpected, the uncertainty of the terms of Britain’s future relationship with the EU need not undermine equity markets. As for the FTSE 100, it is now 5% above where it closed on 22nd June, though 6% down in terms of dollar value (£ is 12% lower against the dollar) and the FTSE 250 is only 3% below where it was on the same day. The FTSE 250 is a far better barometer of UK economic activity than FTSE 100 and many of the stocks that were hit hardest such as the house builders Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Barratt made substantial gains as the new May government started to restore some stability.

Read More

Select your country

Please select your country of residence so we can provide you with the most relevant information:

You are currently viewing the Blacktower Financial Management EU website.

You may be looking for the Blacktower United States website.

Blacktower United States > X Stay on this site

Or choose your country.