Financial Services Regulation & Compliance - Cross Sectoral Dec 2017
DOMESTIC:
Guidance on the PSD2 specific requirements that apply to persons seeking approval for a pre-approval controlled function role in a payment institution or electronic money institution
A number of amendments have been made to the Central Bank's Fitness and Probity Individual Questionnaire application (F&P IQ) in advance of the revised Payment Services Directive (Directive (EU) 2015/2366) (PSD2) coming into effect in Ireland on 13 January 2018. The amendments are applicable to persons seeking approval for a pre-approval controlled function role in a payment institution or electronic money institution. Any F&P IQ submitted to the Central Bank via its online reporting system from 8 December 2017 will be required to be in accordance with these requirements. Guidance has also been provided, where applicable, in respect of the additional information to be provided by applicants.
Response to the Oireachtas Finance Committee on European Commission proposals regarding central counterparties
The Central Bank issued a response to the Oireachtas Finance Committee on European Commission proposals regarding central counterparties. The response sets out the Central Bank’s initial assessment of the EU Commission proposal regarding the procedures and authorities involved for the authorisation of central counterparties (CCPs) and requirements for the recognition of third-country CCPs. As there are no Irish-based CCPs the Central Bank’s analysis has therefore been focused on the perspective of the users of CCPs, including end-clients and clearing members.
The Central Bank outlines its view that the approach to supervision and recovery and resolution needs to be aligned. It notes that EU-level supervision with national resolution would be highly problematic, as it would give to significant misalignments and discontinuities in this important area.
Central Bank of Ireland publishes Markets Update Issue 1 of 2018
The Markets Update includes reference to the publication of the second edition of the Central Bank Investment Firms Regulations 2017 which consolidates into one location all of the requirements which the Central Bank imposes on certain investment firms, fund service providers and market operators and includes changes related to MiFID II. Updates were also made to various Q&As, including the investment firms Q&A. It also notes that the Central Bank published a revised notice on its Implementation of Competent Authority Options and Discretions in the European Union (Capital Requirements) Regulations 2014 and Regulation (EU) No 575/2013. The notice sets out the manner in which the Central Bank intends to exercise the competent authority options and discretions provided for in this legislation and supersedes the Central Bank’s May 2014 implementation notice.
Remarks by Deputy Governor Ed Sibley at FSI Financial Services Forum
Mr Sibley gave a speech at an FSI Financial Services Forum. He addressed three broad areas relevant to internationally focused financial services firms. The areas included were the Central Bank's objectives and approach to prudential regulation, the key challenges the international financial services sector faces and the key priorities for the Central Bank in 2018.
Macro- Financial Review 2017: II
The Central Bank has published its second Macro-Financial Review for 2017 which gives an overview of the current state of the macro-financial environment in Ireland. The review is aimed at helping the public, financial-market participants and international and national authorities better evaluate financial risks; and promoting informed dialogue on the financial system’s strengths and weaknesses and efforts to strengthen its resilience.
Central Bank - anti-money laundering bulletin on Discontinuance of Business Relationship - Section 33(8) CJA
The Central Bank has published an anti-money laundering bulletin addressing Section 33(8) of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act, 2010 (CJA). The bulletin outlines the types of steps firms may take to comply with Section 33(8)(a) and (b) and separately addresses CDD measures in relation to new and existing customers. The bulletin builds on previous publications in which the Central Bank has outlined its expectations in relation to Section 33(8).
EUROPEAN:
Political agreement reached on Fifth Money Laundering Directive (5AMLD)
The European Commission issued a press release which includes a factsheet and which states that the Council of the EU and the European Parliament have reached political agreement on the proposed 5AMLD. The European Parliament also issued a press release. The text of 5AMLD has not yet issued but it appears that the following points will be included:
- Corporate Beneficial Ownership (BO) Registers will be public.
- Trust BO Registers will be accessible to competent authorities, FIUs, the professional sectors subject to AML rules (banks, lawyers and so on) and will be accessible to other persons who can demonstrate a legitimate interest. When a trust is a beneficial owner of a company, access to this information can be requested.
- The national BO Registers will be interconnected directly. Member States will have to introduce verification mechanisms to help improve the accuracy of the information and the reliability of these registers.
- Member States will have limited ability to allow the anonymous use of electronic money products.
- AML rules will be extended to virtual currency exchange service providers, tax related services, letting agents, art dealers, electronic wallet providers.
- European “politically exposed person” will be subject to same due diligence as those from outside of EU.
- Protection for whistleblowers.
- Entities will be obliged to apply systematic enhanced controls on the financial transactions from and to high risk third-countries (as identified in the EU Commission list). The list will include third-countries with low transparency on beneficial ownership information, no appropriate and dissuasive sanctions or which do not cooperate nor exchange information.
Article 29 Working Party (WP29) published its guidelines on transparency
On 12 December, 2017, the Article 29 Working Party (WP29) published its guidelines on transparency. The guidance should assist controllers in understanding the obligation of transparency concerning the processing of personal data under the GDPR. The schedule to the guidance contains a list of the mandatory transparency information that must be provided to a data subject, so this note focuses on the WP29’s recommendations in regard to the provision of that information to data subjects.
WP29 publishes guidance on consent
On 12 December, 2017, the Article 29 Working Party (WP29) published its guidelines on consent under the GDPR. Consent is one of the lawful grounds on which personal data processing may be based. The consent guidance considers the extent to which the GDPR requires controllers to change their consent requests/forms.
EBA publishes final draft technical standards on central contact points under PSD2
The final draft regulatory technical standards (RTS) on central contact points under Directive (EU) 2015/2366 (PSD2) have been published by the EBA. The RTS specify the criteria for determining when the appointment of a central contact point in a host Member State is appropriate and the functions that these contact points should fulfil. The RTS apply where the host Member States require payment institutions and electronic money institutions operating in its territory through agents under the right of establishment to appoint a central contact point in its territory.
The proposed criteria for determining when the appointment of a central contact point is appropriate was retained by the EBA, following feedback received during the consultation period. However one change was made to clarify that payment institutions and electronic money institution who meet any of the criteria set out in the RTS should notify the CA of the host MS accordingly.
ESAs publish amended technical standards on the mapping of external credit assessment institutions (ECAIs)
The Joint Committee of the three European Supervisory Authorities (the ESAs) has published two amended implementing technical standards (ITS) on the mapping of credit assessments of ECAIs for credit risk. These amendments reflect the recognition of five new credit rating agencies and the de-registration of one. The ITS aim at ensuring that only credit ratings issued by ECAIs can be used for calculating capital requirements of financial institutions and insurance undertakings. The ESAs also published individual mapping reports illustrating how the methodology was applied to produce the five additional mappings under the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR) mandate.
ESAs publish draft technical standards to strengthen group-wide management of money laundering and terrorist financing risks
The Joint Committee of the three European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) has published its draft regulatory technical standards (RTS) specifying how credit and financial institutions should manage money laundering and terrorist financing (ML/TF) risks at group level. In particular, where they have branches or majority-owned subsidiaries based in third-countries whose laws do not permit the application of group-wide policies and procedures on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). These were published in accordance with Article 45(6) of Directive (EU) 2015/849 and are part of the ESA's work on fostering a common approach to AML/CTF.
Guidelines on procedures for complaints of alleged infringements of Payment Services Directive 2
The EBA has published guidelines on procedures for complaints of alleged infringements of PSD2. The guidelines set out the EBA's view of appropriate supervisory practices within the European System of Financial Supervision or of how Union law should be applied in a particular area. These guidelines apply to complaints submitted to competent authorities with regard to payment service providers' alleged infringements of Directive (EU) 2015/2366 as laid down in Article 99(1) of the Directive. The guidelines apply from 13 January 2018 and competent authorities should comply by incorporating them into their practices as appropriate.
ESMA Consults on draft RTS for prospectuses
ESMA has launched a consultation on draft regulatory technical standards (RTS) under the new Prospectus Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/1129). These RTSs set out a number of requirements concerning the following topics:
- the key financial information that should appear in the summary of the prospectus
- data and machine readability of information to be sent to ESMA in relation to the storage and mechanism providing the public with free of charge access and search functions
- advertisements relating to public offers or admission to trading
- situations which require the publication of a supplement to a prospectus
- publication of a prospectus
The consultation is open for comments until 9 March 2018.
EBA consults on draft technical standards on risk retention for securitisation transactions
The EBA has launched a public consultation on its draft regulatory technical standards (RTS) specifying the requirements for originators, sponsors and original lenders related to risk retention as laid down in the new EU securitisation framework (STS Regulation). The RTS aim to provide clarity on the requirements relating to risk retention, thus reducing the risk of moral hazard and aligning interests and will replace the current Delegated Regulation on risk retention. The consultation runs until 15 March 2018.
EBA consults on the homogeneity of underlying exposures in securitisation
The EBA has launched a public consultation on draft regulatory technical standards (RTS) specifying a set of criteria for the underlying exposures in securitisation to be deemed homogeneous, as part of the requirements under the new EU securitisation framework. The RTS have been developed according to Articles 20(14) and 24(21) of the STS Securitisation Regulation. The homogeneity requirement aims to facilitate the assessment of underlying risks by investors and to enable them to perform robust due diligence. The RTS are applicable to both asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP) and non-ABCP securitisations. The consultation runs until 15 March 2018.
Regulation (EU) 2017/2402 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2017 laying down a general framework for securitisation and creating a specific framework for simple, transparent and standardised securitisation, and amending Directives 2009/65/EC, 2009/138/EC and 2011/61/EU and Regulations (EC) No 1060/2009 and (EU) No 648/2012
The Regulation, which applies to securitisations the securities of which are issued on or after 1 January 2019, lays down a general framework for securitisation. It defines securitisation and establishes due-diligence, risk-retention and transparency requirements for parties involved in securitisations, criteria for credit granting, requirements for selling securitisations to retail clients, a ban on re-securitisation, requirements for SSPEs as well as conditions and procedures for securitisation repositories. It also creates a specific framework for simple, transparent and standardised (‘STS’) securitisation.
ESMA updates its CSDR Q&A
ESMA has published an update of its Q&As regarding the implementation of the Central Securities Depository Regulation (CSDR). The Q&As provide common answers to questions regarding practical issues on the implementation of the new CSDR regime. They cover updates on organisational requirements regarding membership of user committee and record keeping requirements in respect of settlement banks.
ESMA updates Q&As on the Benchmarks Regulation
ESMA has published updated Q&As regarding the implementation of the Benchmarks Regulation (BMR). The Q&As include two new answers regarding the following topics:
- authorisation and registration: on the obligations applicable to administrators
- requirements for users: regarding the written plans to be produced by supervised entities
ESMA updates Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Q&As
ESMA has updated its Q&A document regarding the implementation of the MAR. The Q&A:
- clarifies the time span for the calculation of the CO2 equivalent emissions and rated thermal input that should be considered to determine whether a participant in the emission allowance market is subject to MAR
- includes Q&As on emission allowances and emission allowances market participants (EAMPs).
EBA publishes updated ITS package for 2018 benchmarking exercise
The EBA has published an update to its implementing technical standards (ITS) on benchmarking of internal approaches, which define the benchmarking portfolios for the 2018 benchmarking exercise. The update includes minor changes and clarifications that the EBA agreed with the Commission in advance of the Commission's adoption of these standards. These updates do not entail any change to the policy or legal content of the technical standards but eliminate inconsistencies in wording and facilitate harmonised data submissions in April 2018.
EBA publishes its standardised data templates as a step to reduce non-performing loans (NPLs)
The EBA has published data templates that will create the foundation for NPL transactions across the EU. They will provide a common EU data set for the screening, financial due diligence and valuation during NPL transactions. The EBA is providing these templates to allow banks to supply comparable and standardised data on NPLs to meet the need of investors and other stakeholders. They are designed in a way that they can act as a market standard, used by banks on a voluntary basis for NPL transactions, and to form the foundation for NPL secondary markets initiatives.
Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive (EU) 2015/849 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing and amending Directive 2009/101/EC (Fifth Money Laundering Directive)
The EC adopted a proposal to further reinforce EU rules on anti-money laundering to counter terrorist financing and increase transparency about who really owns companies and trusts. The proposal will reinforce the measures introduced by the Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive with the following changes: full public access to the beneficial ownership registers, interconnection of the registers, extending the information available to authorities. The proposed update of the legal rules will be adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers under the ordinary legislative procedure.
ESMA advises the Commission EC on specific elements of the Short-Selling Regulation
ESMA has issued its technical advice to the European Commission (EC) on how to improve the Short-Selling Regulation. ESMA proposed a number of concrete amendments on controversial areas of the SSR to improve its relevance, effectiveness, coherence, and efficiency in line with the mandate received. The technical advice includes proposals around the three main elements of the mandate which are:
- exemption for market making activities
- short-term bans on short-selling
- transparency of net short positions
ESMA publishes CRA market share calculation
ESMA has published its annual market share calculation for EU registered credit rating agencies (CRAs). The purpose of the market share calculation is to facilitate issuers and related third parties in their evaluation of a CRA with no more than 10% total market share in the EU. The publication aims to guide the user through the requirements of Article 8d of the CRA Regulation and provides background and guidance as to how the market share calculation is performed and should be used.
EBA issues guidance for the use of cloud service providers by financial institutions
The EBA has launched its final guidance for the use of cloud service providers by financial institutions. The EBA recommendations are applicable as of 1 July 2018 and are addressed to credit institutions, investment firms and competent authorities. They clarify the EU-wide supervisory expectations if institutions intend to adopt cloud computing, so as to allow them to leverage the benefits of using cloud services, while ensuring that any related risks are adequately identified and managed. The recommendations address five key areas:
- the security of data and systems
- the location of data and data processing
- access and audit rights
- chain outsourcing
- contingency plans and exit strategies
Single Market: trading safe products across Europe
The European Commission has tabled two legislative proposals to make it easier for companies, especially SMEs, to sell their products across Europe, and to strengthen controls by national authorities and customs officers to prevent unsafe products from being sold to European consumers. The Commission aims to tackle remaining structural weaknesses in the Single Market for goods:
- Mutual recognition – perfectly safe products sometimes cannot move freely within the Single Market because of diverging national rules and lack of trust and cooperation between national authorities.
- Enforcement of the rules – too many dangerous or non-compliant products can still find their way onto the market, so national authorities need to cooperate better to remove them and protect customers.
Opinion of the European Banking Authority on the transition from PSD1 to PSD2
The EBA has issued an opinion on the transition from PSD1 to PSD2. PSD2 has conferred on the EBA the development of 12 technical standards and guidelines, to specify detailed provisions in relation to payments security, authorisation, passporting, supervision and more. The EBA has finalised ten of these deliverables in December 2017, with the remaining two due to be completed at the beginning of 2018.
Not all the provisions of PSD2 or EBA technical standards and guidelines will be applicable on 13 January 2018. The opinion therefore, contains both general and specific comments and advice in relation to:
- The implications for payment service providers and competent authorities of the delayed finalisation and/or adoption of some of the 12 EBA instruments developed under PSD2.
- The rights and obligations of various types of payment service providers during the ‘transitional’ period under the PSD2.
- The application of the EBA Guidelines on the security of internet payments under PSD1 (EBA-GL-2014-12) during that transitional period.
- The support the EBA will provide to market participants after the application date of PSD2, 13 January 2018.
ESMA consults on securitisation requirements
ESMA has published three consultation papers on draft technical standards implementing the Securitisation Regulation (SR). The regulation establishes a general framework for securitisation and creates a specific framework for simple, transparent and standardised (STS) securitisation. Securitisations are transactions that enable a credit institution or a corporation to refinance assets, such as loans, by transforming them into tradable securities. The consultation is open for feedback until 19 March 2018.
ESMA issues updated statement on preparatory work in relation to CFDs, binary options and other speculative products offered to retail clients
ESMA has issued a statement updating on its work in relation to the sale of contracts for differences (CFDs), binary options and other speculative products to retail investors. ESMA will conduct a brief public consultation in January 2018 on this matter.
New rules make EU issuers' annual financial reports machine-readable
ESMA has published the final draft regulatory technical standards (RTS) setting out the new European Single Electronic Format (ESEF). Starting from 2020, this format shall be used by all issuers to prepare their annual financial reports. ESMA also published a reporting manual and detailed instructions to issuers to facilitate the implementation of the RTS. The publication of the RTS is accompanied by the launch of a new webpage on the ESEF.
Public consultation on building a proportionate regulatory environment to support SME listing
The European Commission has issued a public consultation on building a proportionate regulatory environment to support SME listing. The consultation will run until 26 February 2018. The public consultation will focus on three broad categories of issues:
- seek to identify how the 'SME Growth Market' concept, created by MiFID II, can be further improved
- identify areas where the administrative burden placed on listed SMEs can be lightened
- where some targeted regulatory changes could help (re)build the local ecosystems surrounding SME-dedicated exchanges
GDP-linked Bonds: Some Simulations on EU Countries
The European Commission issued a discussion paper on GDP-linked bonds. The paper explores some implications of GDP-linked bonds, an instrument for national debt management that has recently sparked growing interest. The results, based on the data and tools of the Commission Debt Sustainability Monitor, suggest significant potential benefits from GDP-linked bonds in reducing debt uncertainties for all European economies.
Final Guidelines - Joint Guidelines under Articles 17 and 18(4) of Directive (EU) 2015/849 on simplified and enhanced customer due diligence and the factors credit and financial institutions should consider when assessing the money laundering and terrorist financing risk associated with individual business relationships and occasional transactions - The Risk Factors Guidelines
The guidelines, which come into effect on 26 June 2018, set out factors firms should consider when assessing the money laundering and terrorist financing (ML/TF) risk associated with a business relationship or occasional transaction and also set out how firms should adjust the extent of their customer due diligence measures in a way that is commensurate to the ML/TF risk they have identified. The guidelines focus on risk assessment of individual business relationships and occasional transactions.
EBA consults on amended technical standards on benchmarking of internal models
The EBA has launched a consultation to amend the Commission Implementing Regulation on benchmarking of internal models to adjust the benchmarking portfolios and reporting requirements in view of the benchmarking exercise the EBA will carry out in 2019. The consultation will run until 31 January 2018 and a public hearing will take place at the EBA premises on 23 February 2018.
EBA report shows EU banks comply with LCR requirement of 100% ahead of its full implementation
The EBA has published its fourth impact assessment report for the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR), which shows that EU banks have continued to improve their LCR since 2011. The report is based on liquidity data and wider bank balance sheet statistics from 157 EU banks across 16 Member States.
Evidence on finance and economic growth
The ECB has published a working paper on finance and economic growth. This paper reviews and appraises the body of empirical research on the association between financial markets and economic growth that has accumulated over the past quarter-century. The paper highlights the mechanisms through which financial markets benefit society, while also highlighting the channels through which finance can slow down long term growth.
Questions & Answers: Commission sets out roadmap for deepening Europe's Economic and Monetary Union
The European Commission presented a package which included communications on further steps towards completing Europe's Economic and Monetary Union and new budgetary instruments for a stable euro area within the Union framework, a proposal for the establishment of a European Monetary Fund, a proposal to integrate the substance of the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance into the Union legal framework, an amendment to the Common Provisions Regulation and an amendment to strengthen the Structural Reform Support Programme.
This package delivers on the commitment made by President Jean-Claude Juncker in his 2017 State of the Union address to present concrete next steps for further deepening Europe's Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). The Commission invites the European Parliament and the Council to reflect on the ideas presented as part of this package, with a view to reaching a common understanding on the roles and functions of a European Minister of Economy and Finance by mid-2019.
The portfolio of euro area fund investors and ECB monetary policy announcements
The ECB published a working paper on the portfolio of euro area fund investors and ECB monetary policy announcements. The working paper studies the impact of major ECB monetary policy announcements on the portfolio allocation of euro area fund investors, using daily data between 2012 and mid-2016.
ESMA latest risk dashboard sees no change in overall risk levels
ESMA has issued the risk dashboard No.4 2017, covering risks in the EU’s securities markets for Q3 2017. In Q3 2017EU financial markets remained relatively calm, although reactive to global geopolitical events which was reflected in increased market expectations of the near-term volatility following global political tensions. ESMA’s overall risk assessment remains unchanged from Q2 at high levels.
For further information please contact a member of the Financial Regulation team.
Date Published: 10 January 2018