Since joining the European Union in 2004, Malta has become an innovative and reliable financial services centre, hosting a variety of financial services businesses and structures including fund administrators, fund managers, payment service providers, electronic money institutions, investment advisors and insurance principals. Malta’s appeal is enhanced by its highly skilled workforce, multilingualism, extensive tax treaty network, and reliable IT infrastructure.
Since joining the European Union in 2004, Malta has become an innovative and reliable financial services centre, hosting a variety of financial services businesses and structures including fund administrators, fund managers, payment service providers, electronic money institutions, investment advisors and insurance principals. Malta’s appeal is enhanced by its highly skilled workforce, multilingualism, extensive tax treaty network, and reliable IT infrastructure.
Country Highlights
GDP GROWTH: 5% in 2016 (NSO) |
TIMEZONE: Central European Time Zone (UTC+01:00) |
MALTA FUNDS:580+ Investment Funds with combined NAV of €9.7 billion |
MALTA FINANCIAL SERVICES AUTHORITY: Approachable, Single Regulator |
FUND DOMICILE RECOGNITION: Rated No 1 in Europe’s Favoured Fund
Domicile (Hedge Fund Review’s 2013 & 2014 Service Provider Rankings) |
FINANCIAL SERVICES FRAMEWORK: EU & OECD approved |
SECTOR EXPANSION: 25% Annual Growth |
TAX REGIME: EU & OECD compliant |
Legal Basis
The principle legislation governing Fund Administrators in Malta is the Investment Services Act, 1994 (“ISA”) as subsequently amended. The ISA establishes the regulatory framework for fund administration companies. Fund Administrators would also need to adhere to any subsidiary legislation issued in terms of the ISA as well as the Rules for Recognised Persons as issued and amended from time to time by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), which is the Island’s single regulator for all financial services activities. The Authority is responsible for regulating and supervising fund administration companies operating in and from Malta.
Benefits
- No licence required
- Recognition certificate granted
- Flexibility to outsource functions
- May provide depositary lite functions
- Able to administer both Malta & international funs
- No minimum capital requirements
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a proposed or incorporated company with dedicated presence in Malta;
- A Fund Administrator would need to be directed or managed by at least two individuals who are fit and proper persons to carry out such functions;
- A Fund Administrator must at all times have a Compliance Officer & MLRO.
Process & Timeline
Why Work With Us