The financial services sector is considered to be one of the main pillars of the Maltese economy and is also its fastest growing sector. This even more so after EU membership.
Malta has established itself as a reputable financial services jurisdiction which adopts a serious approach to regulation with embedded flexibility. Furthermore, Malta's very favourable tax regime and effective double taxation relief mechanisms together with the single passport regime, ensure an extremely attractive environment for financial services operators to carry on business.
Investment Services
Investment services are regulated by the Investment Services Act, 1994 ('the Act'). The Act defines an "investment service" as "any service falling within the First Schedule to the Act when provided in relation to an instrument".
The Provision of an Investment Service in or from Malta is a Licensable Activity
The Act's First Schedule lists the following services: reception and transmission of orders in relation to one or more instruments; execution of orders on behalf of other persons; dealing on own account; management of investments; trustee, custodian or nominee services; investment advice; underwriting of instruments and,or placing of instruments on a firm commitment basis; placing of instruments without a firm commitment basis and operation of a multilateral trading facility.
The term "instrument" is defined in very general terms in the Act, with many types of investments being provided for, including shares, bonds, units in a collective investment scheme, futures and other derivative contracts, and foreign exchange contracts entered into for investment purposes.
Fund administration is no longer a licensable activity, with firms providing this service now being required to apply to the Malta Financial Services Authority for recognition in terms of the Act. It is also pertinent to point out that companies providing back office services in the financial services sector must seek the approval of the said Authority, prior to commencing operations.
There are also a number of exemptions from the requirement of having an investment services licence, which apply in particular circumstances.
Licensing Procedure
In assessing a licence application, the Malta Financial Services Authority must be satisfied that the applicant is "fit and proper" and willing and capable to act in accordance with the law and any Standard Licence Conditions attached to the licence issued. The "fit and proper" test is a fundamental regulatory concept which requires potential and existing licencees and their qualifying shareholders and senior staff to demonstrate competence, integrity and solvency in all their dealings. These requirements apply both at the licensing stage and on an on-going basis thereafter.
Taxation
Malta offers a very favourable tax regime to the shareholders of investment services operators. Moreover, advance revenue rulings may be obtained as to the tax treatment of transactions involving financial instruments and international business. Further information may be obtained from the fact sheet entitled 'Malta Companies and Taxation'.
European Passport Regime
In terms of the European Passport Rights for Investment Firms Regulations, 2004 investment firms may take advantage of the single passport regime and upon the fulfilment of the prescribed formalities, passport into Malta or out of Malta from/to an EU or EEA state through the establishment of a branch or by providing services on a cross border basis.
Funds
The Investment Services Act, 1994 ('the Act'), establishes the regulatory framework for collective investment schemes. The Act provides the necessary infrastructure for the setting up of collective investment schemes as corporate structures, unit trusts or through contractual arrangements. Both open-ended and close-ended investment fund structures are provided for.
In addition, investment funds may be set up as either public or private funds. It is also possible for investment funds to obtain a primary or secondary listing on a regulated market.
Qualifying Criteria
A collective investment scheme organised under the laws of Malta or operating in or from Malta requires a licence under the Act. There is however a number of exemptions from the need of a collective investment scheme licence, which are applicable in particular circumstances.
Licensing Procedure
The applicant for a collective investment scheme licence must be "fit and proper". Thus, potential and existing licencees and their qualifying shareholders and senior staff must demonstrate competence, integrity and solvency in all their dealings. These requirements apply both at the licensing stage and on an on-going basis thereafter.
The fiscal treatment of a fund depends on certain of its characteristics. There are a number of fiscal incentives applicable to funds and their investors. Advance revenue rulings may be obtained as to the tax treatment of transactions involving financial instruments and international business.
Professional Investor Funds
A Professional Investor Fund (PIF) is a type of collective investment scheme promoted to particular investors. A PIF is usually set up as an open or closed ended investment company (SICAV or INVCO), a limited partnership or unit trust.
Qualifying Criteria
A PIF set up under Maltese law would require a collective investment scheme licence under the Investment Services Act, 1994. On the other hand, a PIF established outside Malta would only require a licence for the purpose of obtaining a listing on a regulated market in Malta or if it undertakes any licensable activity, such as managing itself in or from Malta.
Licensing Procedure
PIFs are subject to tailored licence conditions. The applicant, its senior staff and its service providers (if any) and the latter's senior staff must be "fit and proper" and must thus demonstrate solvency, competency and integrity in all their dealings both at licensing stage and on an on-going basis thereafter.
Categories
The PIF regime consists of three categories, namely Qualifying Investor Funds, Experienced Investor Funds and Extraordinary Investor Funds.
PIFs Promoted to Qualifying Investors
In order to be "Qualifying", an investor must certify that he/she/it meets one or more of the following criteria: a body corporate which has net assets in excess of EUR 750,000 or which is part of a group which has net assets in excess of EUR 750,000; an unincorporated body of persons or association which has net assets in excess of EUR 750,000; a trust where the net value of the trust's assets is in excess of EUR 750,000; an individual, or in the case of a body corporate, the majority of its board of directors or in the case of a partnership its General Partner, who has reasonable experience in the acquisition and/or disposal of funds of a similar nature or risk profile or of property of the same kind as the property, or a substantial part of the property, to which the PIF in question relates; an individual whose net worth or joint net worth with that person's spouse, exceeds EUR 750,000; a senior employee or director of service providers to the PIF; relations or close friends of the promoters limited to a total of 10 persons per PIF; entities with (or which form part of a group with) EUR 3.75 million or more under discretionary management, investing on their own account; or the investor qualifies as a PIF promoted to Qualifying or Extraordinary investors.
The minimum initial investment in the case of a PIF promoted to Qualifying Investors is EUR 75,000 or equivalent in another currency, but additional investments may be of any size. This minimum initial investment threshold applies to each single Qualifying Investor.
Before a PIF may accept any investment, the PIF must obtain a completed "Qualifying Investor Declaration Form" in which the investor confirms that he/she/it has read and understood the mandatory risk warnings and describes why he/she/it is a "Qualifying Investor".
Any amount expressed in EUR should be interpreted to mean the equivalent expressed in other convertible currencies.
PIFs promoted to Qualifying Investors are not subject to any investment or borrowing (including leverage) restrictions other than those which may be specified in their Offering Document.
PIFs Promoted to Extraordinary Investors
An "Extraordinary Investor" is required to meet one or more of the following criteria:a body corporate which has net assets in excess of EUR 7.5 million or which is part of a group which has net assets in excess of EUR 7.5 million; an unincorporated body of persons or association which has net assets in excess of EUR 7.5 million; a trust where the net value of the trust's assets is in excess of EUR 7.5 million; an individual whose net worth or joint net worth with that person's spouse, exceeds EUR 7.5 million; a senior employee or director of service providers to the PIF; the investor qualifies as a PIF promoted to Extraordinary Investors; or an entity (body corporate or partnership) wholly owned by persons or entities satisfying any of the criteria listed above and which is used as an investment vehicle by such persons or entities.
The minimum initial investment in the case of a PIF promoted to Extraordinary Investors is EUR 750,000 or equivalent in another currency, but additional investments may be of any size. This minimum initial investment threshold applies to each single Extraordinary Investor.
Prior to accepting any investment, the PIF should be in receipt of a completed "Extraordinary Investor Declaration Form" in which the investor confirms that he/she/it has read and understood the mandatory risk warnings and describes why he/she/it is an Extraordinary Investor.
Unless they invest in immovable property, PIFs promoted to Extraordinary Investors are not subject to any investment or borrowing (including leverage) restrictions other than those which may be specified in their Offering Document/Marketing Document.
PIFs Promoted to Experienced Investors
Experienced investors are persons having the expertise, experience and knowledge to be in a position to make their own investment decisions and understand the risks involved.
An experienced investor is a person: having relevant work experience by having worked in the financial sector for at least one year in a professional position or having been active in this type of investment; or having reasonable experience in the acquisition and/or disposal of funds of a similar nature or risk profile, or property of the same kind as the property, or a substantial part of the property, to which the PIF in question relates; or who has carried out investment transactions in significant size at a certain frequency.
The minimum initial investment threshold for experienced investors is EUR 10,000 or the equivalent in another foreign currency. This minimum initial investment threshold applies to each single experienced investor.
Before an Experienced Investor Fund may accept any investment, it should obtain a completed "Experienced Investor Declaration Form" in which the investor confirms that he/she/it satisfies the definition of an "experienced investor" and indicates the basis of such confirmation and that he/she/it has read and understood the mandatory risk warnings.
PIFs promoted to Experienced Investors are not subject to any investment restrictions. Whilst borrowing on a temporary basis for liquidity purposes is permitted and not restricted, borrowing for investment purposes or leverage via the use of derivatives is restricted to 100% of NAV.
Service Providers
A PIF may appoint any service provider as it may deem necessary, although PIFs promoted to experienced investors must appoint a custodian. The service providers of a PIF may include, amongst others, a manager, administrator, investment advisor and/or a custodian/prime broker. The service providers appointed by a PIF need to be licensed or approved by the Malta Financial Services Authority, if they are operating in or from Malta. Any service provider located outside Malta and which provides services to PIFs in Malta must likewise be approved by the said Authority. Service providers should be established and regulated in a Recognised Jurisdiction with very minor exceptions.
It is not necessary for the manager, administrator, custodian or any other appointed service provider to be based in Malta. However, where the service providers are all based outside Malta and no local resident director has been appointed, a judicial representative needs to be appointed.
Offering Document
A PIF targeting experienced or qualifying investors must draw up an Offering document which is a document intended to provide sufficient information to enable potential investors to take an informed investment decision. The Offering document should as a minimum include the information required in this regard by the Investment Services Rules for Professional Investor Funds.
A PIF targeting extraordinary invetsors may either draw up an Offering Document or a Marketing Document, which in each case should include the minimum information prescribed in the Investment Services Rules for Professional Investor Funds.
Licensing Time-period
Should all relevant documentation (including the application form) have been properly completed and attached, the Malta Financial Services Authority will respond to the application within seven working days. This only applies where the PIF appoints a third party manager and where any service providers to the PIF are based and regulated in a Recognised Jurisdiction.
Listing on a Regulated Market
A PIF (provided that it is not a private company) that has been granted or has applied for a Collective Investment Scheme licence may apply to a regulated market for a listing.
Particular Types of PIFs
PIFs which invest predominantly in real estate are subject to tailor-made policies.
Furthermore, under the Maltese regulatory regime, hedge funds may be set up as PIFs. Such funds are becoming increasingly popular and we would be pleased to provide further information upon request.
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Incorporated Cell Companies The Companies Act (SICAV Incorporated Cell Companies) Regulations 2010 (Incorporated Cell Regulations) came into force on the 1st February, 2011. These Regulations provide for the establishment of incorporated cell structures specifically adapted to funds. The possibility of setting up multi-fund Collective Investment Schemes containing multiple, segregated sub-funds with ring-fenced assets and liabilities has existed since 2003 (SICAV Regulations). The new Incorporated Cell Regulations go a step further by allowing the registration and licensing of Incorporated Cells (IC) structured with different 'patrimonies' under the umbrella of the Incorporated Cell Company (ICC). Whilst under the SICAV Regulations a fund and its segregated sub-funds form one single legal entity and consequently, a sub-fund has no separate legal identity, each Incorporated Cell of the ICC has separate legal personality and is treated as a separate company forming part of the ICC. The ICC Regulations also provide that a segregated multi-fund company may be transformed into an ICC, and that a cell of an ICC may be relocated from one such company to another in accordance with the said Regulations. Whilst "umbrella funds" have been popular for many years, there has always been the potential risk of "contagion" between sub-funds. For example, where a non-ICC umbrella fund, has a sub-fund which is highly geared and adverse market movements have resulted in the sub-fund's liabilities being greater than its assets, it is possible for creditors to look to the assets of other sub-funds (which might have a conservative investment and borrowing strategy) to cover their loss. This potential risk is removed by the ICC structure. Apart from the above there are other advantages in setting up an IC:
ICCs can also act as "nurseries" for new funds which might start out as cells of an ICC but, when certain economies of scale have been realised, be converted into separate stand-alone funds in their own right. The ICC Regulations stipulate that the business to be carried out by an ICC is limited to the business of a collective investment company with variable share capital as defined in the Companies Act and the SICAV Regulations. Each Incorporated Cell of an Incorporated Cell Company would need to be licensed separately as a collective investment scheme in terms of the Investment Services Act, 1994, albeit forming part of the Incorporated Cell Company. Accordingly, in terms of its licence, an Incorporated Cell will be able to operate independently from its Incorporated Cell Company. |
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Taxation For tax purposes, a fund or a sub-fund of a collective investment scheme may be classified as a prescribed or a non-prescribed Fund. A fund in a locally based scheme is classified as a prescribed fund if the value of the assets situated in Malta is at least 85% of the value of the total assets. Other licensed funds, including all funds in overseas based schemes, are classified as non-prescribed funds. All income of collective investment schemes is exempt from tax in Malta except for the withholding tax applicable to local investment income in the case of prescribed funds. Thus local investment income (excluding dividends) derived by prescribed funds is subject to a final withholding tax. The withholding tax rate is 15% in the case of bank interest and 10% in the case of other investment income. No tax is withheld on investment income received by non-prescribed funds. In the case of a prescribed fund, no tax is payable by non-resident investors when they dispose of their investment or when they receive a dividend out of such profits. Non-residents receiving dividends out of a non-prescribed fund suffer no withholding tax on such income and are also exempt from tax on capital gains. Different tax implications apply in the case of Maltese resident investors. Furthermore, there is no duty on documents on share issues or transfers and no tax on the net asset value of the scheme, in the case of collective investment schemes. Advance revenue rulings may be obtained as to the tax treatment of transactions involving financial instruments and international business. |
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Re-domiciliation A body corporate set up or constituted in another jurisdiction may be authorised by the Malta Registrar of Companies to continue as a body corporate registered or constituted in Malta, subject to certain criteria being satisfied. Similarly, the Malta Registrar of Companies is empowered to authorise a Maltese registered body corporate to be continued as a body corporate registered, incorporated or constituted under the laws of a country outside Malta, subject to the fulfilment of certain requirements. |
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
