Jersey Finance says it is encouraged by the contents of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) report on the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) which was published last week and contains its final recommendations to the European Commission.

There has been a change in the wording between the earlier draft and the final report in one important aspect in respect of ‘third countries’, the term used to describe jurisdictions outside of the EU.  Though the regulatory standards remain high and robust, the change is positive for ‘third countries’ since it makes it less onerous to achieve compliance. The Directive will require supervisory co-operation and exchange of information agreements between the authorities of EU member states and non EU countries.

Heather Bestwick, Technical Director of Jersey Finance, comments:

‘It is broadly positive throughout and Jersey remains on track to meet the criteria necessary for the funds industry to continue to participate when the new EU regime for funds is implemented. We are studying the detail but our first impressions are that there is nothing new in ESMA’s final report to give us concern.

‘Naturally there is still considerable work to do but it remains our intention to offer investors an ‘opt in’ AIFMD compliant regime while retaining flexibility for managers whose primary source of institutional capital is outside of Europe.’

EMSA’s latest document is the final technical recommendations to the European Commission who are expected to prepare the implementing measures on the basis of the report’s advice.