Investment Services
Fenech & Fenech Advocates advises upon the specific regulatory requirements pertaining to all investment services. Apart from assistance at the pre-licensing stage, we can advise through the entire life cycle of a product or service from the conception stage, assist through the licensing and regulatory approval process, as well as provide quality information about the latest regulatory developments in Malta which may have an impact on our clients and our clients’ products and services. We also assist entities wishing to exercise their freedom of establishment or freedom of provision of services in Malta or outside of Malta, as prescribed under EU principles and Maltese law.
Our services are comprehensive such that we will liaise with our firm’s tax professionals to also provide insight into the tax implications which may arise from the investment services activity that our clients undertake. We also assist clients in understanding their obligations arising under Maltese prevention of money laundering rules, and deliver regular detailed training on the legislative aspects and practical issues arising from implementation of Anti-Money Laundering procedures.
We have an excellent ongoing relationship with the Malta Financial Services Authority, which is the single regulator for banking, investment and insurance business in Malta and also houses the country's Company Registry. The MFSA supervises all licensed financial businesses, issues guidance notes, monitors local and international developments, works with relevant parties on legislative matters, plays a major role in training. It encourages high standards of compliance and runs a consumer affairs unit.
Malta has established a worldwide reputation for its outstanding legal, investment and banking services. The main advantages that Malta offers in this respect are the considerably lower costs in the provision of these services, reduced unwarranted red-tape, maintenance of high standards and efficiency.
The costs of acquiring an investment license in Malta and setting up of the corresponding corporate vehicle as well as the running expenses of the Company are reasonable and relatively lower than the same costs in other financial centres of Europe. Furthermore, due to the compliance of the Law with the relevant EU Directive, a Malta Licensed Investment Services Company is able to operate in any other country member of the European Union either directly or through the establishment of a branch. This may be regarded as an advantage of great essence for non-EU companies, which wish to expand their operations in Europe.
We are ideally placed to assist clients looking for a solution in Malta. We provide comprehensive tailored replies to all sorts of queries on specific solutions. The firm has been regularly active in this field and has assisted a considerable number of local and international clients in obtaining investment services licences and in ensuring compliance with the ongoing obligations under Maltese investment services legislation.
