The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has approved co-operation arrangements between EU securities regulators, with responsibility for the supervision of alternative investment funds, and 34 global jurisdictions. ESMA has negotiated the agreements on behalf of all EU Member State securities regulators. Switzerland, USA, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Guernsey, and Jersey are all included in the list.
These co-operation arrangements are a key element in allowing EU securities regulators to supervise efficiently the way non-EU alternative investment fund managers (AIFMs) comply with the rules of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD), and are a pre-condition in allowing non-EU AIFMs access to EU markets or to perform fund management activities on behalf of EU managers. These arrangements will apply to non-EU fund managers that manage or market AIFs in the EU and to EU fund managers that manage or market AIFs in third countries. The arrangements also cover co-operation in the cross border supervision of depositaries and AIFMs’ delegates.
It is important to note that although ESMA has negotiated the co-operation agreements centrally, they are bilateral agreements that must be signed between each EU securities regulator and the non-EU authorities. The actual supervision of AIFMs lies with the national securities regulators, therefore each authority decides with which non-EU authorities it will sign an agreement.
To view the full ESMA press release click here.
