New measures for open-ended public undertakings for collective investment against the consequences of the COVID-19 epidemic
Summary The Royal Decree of 22 April 2020 aims to protect open-ended public undertakings for collective investment (“UCIs”) against the consequences of the COVID-19 epidemic and in particular protect the liquidity of such UCIs. UCIs that are confronted with redemption requests of their units have to sell, often at unfavourable prices, positions in their portfolios
Shareholder Rights Directive II. Financial institutions, are you prepared?
In May 2017, the European Parliament and the Council approved Directive (EU) 2017/828 amending Directive 2007/36/EC as regards the encouragement of long-term shareholder engagement (the Shareholder Rights Directive II or SRD II). The due date of 10 June 2019 for the transposition of this new Directive into national law is approaching fast. So far, the
Authorization process for AIFMs and UCITS management companies
On 10 May 2019, the FSMA published Communication 2019_09 and a checklist for alternative investment fund managers (AIFMs) and undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (UCITS) management companies. This checklist sets forth the information and the documents that need to be included in the application file for authorization as an AIFM or as a
Belgian Tax on Savings Income (art. 19bis BITC): important clarification from the Minister of Finance for certain AIFs
In answer to a recent parliamentary question, the Minister of Finance has shared his view on the extension of the scope of the Belgian Tax on Savings Income (art. 19bis BITC) to certain AIFs. According to him, if they were acquired before 1st January 2018, units of funds which hold investments that are not sufficiently
Bill transposing the UCITS V Directive has been submitted to the Belgian Chamber of Representatives
On 2 December 2016, a Bill was submitted to the Belgian Chamber of Representatives to transpose Directive 2014/91/EU on undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (UCITS V or the Directive)(1). The Directive revises the UCITS Directive(2) in relation to depositary functions, remuneration policies and sanctions. Transposing UCITS V The Directive introduces new rules on undertakings for
Belgian Tax on Savings Income: Scope Enlarged
Last week, the Belgian tax authorities published a practice note enlarging the scope of application of the Belgian Tax on Savings Income (or “Reynders Tax”) so as to include new categories of funds. Capital Gains Tax. As is already known, the Belgian Tax on Savings Income (“BTS”), also referred to as the Reynders Tax, (the main provision of
ESAs publishes final draft Regulatory Technical Standards on KID for PRIIPS
ESAs has finalised its draft RTS on the PRIIPs KID after consulting various interest groups. These final draft RTS provide clarity on the obligation that the PRIIPs Regulation imposes to provide for a key information document that should be easily understandable for consumers. The Joint Committee of the European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA and ESMA –
ESMA publishes final guidelines on sound remuneration policies under UCITS and AIFM Directives
In its newest report, ESMA sheds light on the guidelines relating to the remuneration policies and practices for management companies and their identified staff. On 31 March 2016, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published its final guidelines on the remuneration policies for management companies and their identified staff (the Guidelines). These Guidelines refer
