Regulatory News
Insights
Regulatory News
Here you can find the latest regulatory news from the MFSA, MGA, and FIAU, analysed by Mazars in Malta.
FIAU: Guidance Note on the Money Laundering Reporting Officer
The Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) has recently published a guidance note on the role of the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO). This guidance note covers a number of areas which address common issues and queries that arise in relation to this role.
New MFSA Corporate Governance Code for Authorised Entities
On the 22nd February 2022, the MFSA issued a draft Corporate Governance Code which shall apply cross-sectorally to all (unlisted) entities authorised by the MFSA, including inter alia banks, insurance firms, payment institutions, asset managers and trustees (the ‘Code’).
The Proposed Settlement Procedure under the MFSA Act
The Malta Financial Services Authority Act (the “MFSA Act”) presently endows the Malta Financial Services Authority (the “MFSA” or the “Authority”) with the discretionary power to investigate alleged infringements of financial services laws and regulations governing licence holders and persons authorised by it or falling within the Authority’s remit.
FIAU: Intelligence factsheet- The misuse of corporate vehicles in Malta
The FIAU has recently published an intelligence factsheet extracted from the results of a strategic analysis carried out in relation to the misuse of companies, whereby at least one of the entities was Maltese.
FIAU: Guidance note on submitting tax related suspicious reports
The FIAU has recently published a guidance note on submitting tax related suspicious reports.
MFSA publishes 2020 Annual Report
The Malta Financial Services Authority published its annual report and financial statements for the year 2020. Among the highlights of the Authority’s performance in that year, the Report mentions the unprecedented enforcement and supervisory performance results achieved by the MFSA in 2020.
Amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering and Funding of Terrorism Regulations
A legal notice was issued on 30 April 2021 which introduces a number of amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering and Funding of Terrorism Regulations (PMLFTR).
MFSA: Guidance on IT related arrangements
On 11 December 2020, The MFSA issued a guidance document to all licensed entities entitled ‘Guidance on Technology Arrangements, ICT and Security Risk Management, and Outsourcing Arrangements'. The Guidance covers the implementation of Technology Arrangements and ICT and emphasises the fact that technology has become a fundamental asset to the financial services industry, as a result of which Licence Holders are increasingly reliant on technology to perform business and operational functions
2022 Risk Evaluation Questionnaire (REQs) deadlines
The FIAU has issued the timelines for the 2022 REQ. The questionnaire will be available on the Compliance and Supervision Platform for Assessing Risk (CASPAR) portal for completion by subject persons as from 1st March 2022.
Insurance intermediaries: FIAU issues Interpretative Note
The FIAU recently issued an Interpretative Note addressed to insurance intermediaries to clarify the insurance distribution activities which fall within the definition of relevant financial business as per Regulation 2(1) of the PMLFTR ('The Prevention of Money Laundering and Funding of Terrorism Regulations').