Long term investment Equity ETF Retail investors Professional investors Journalists Dashboard of retail investors active on the stock market: sharp increase in retail ETF activity in Q1 2024
Why this matters
This regulatory update focuses on the activity of retail investors in the stock market, particularly the sharp increase in retail ETF activity in Q1 2024. This is relevant for investment management firms, broker-dealers, and wealth managers that cater to retail investors.
The Central Bank of Ireland has today (29 April 2024) announced the introduction of macroprudential measures for Irish-authorised GBP-denominated Liability Driven Investment (LDI) funds. Building on the recent Consultation Paper “Macroprudential measures for GBP Liability Driven Investment funds”, the measures require…
AI Analysis
The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) introduced binding macroprudential measures on 29 April 2024 requiring Irish-authorised GBP-denominated Liability Driven Investment (LDI) funds to maintain a minimum **300 basis point yield buffer** to withstand adverse UK interest rate shocks. This regulatory intervention directly addresses systemic risks exposed during the September-October 2022 UK gilt market crisis, where excessive leverage in LDI funds amplified financial stress across markets.
- Compliance deadline for existing Irish GBP-denominated LDI funds authorised before 29 April 2024 (3-month implementation period)
Immediate Deadline
- Compliance requirement for newly authorised LDI funds after 29 April 2024
Ongoing Deadline
- New funds seeking authorisation must notify CBI of framework scope applicability
Suggested considerations
*For Existing Fund Managers (by 29 July 2024):
*Audit & Classification: Determine whether each fund falls within the regulatory scope by assessing whether the investment strategy matches asset sensitivity to UK interest rates/inflation against pre-defined investor liabilities
*Yield Buffer Assessment: Calculate current yield buffer position and identify any shortfalls against the 300 bps minimum threshold
*Portfolio Restructuring: If necessary, rebalance portfolios to achieve and maintain the 300 bps yield buffer, ensuring:
Removal of external/third-party assets from buffer calculations
What changed
The framework establishes the following core requirements for in-scope GBP-denominated LDI funds:
Yield Buffer Requirement
Minimum resilience threshold of 300 basis points increase in UK yields
CBI clarifies this is a minimum floor, not a target; funds may prudently maintain higher buffers
Assets must be sufficiently liquid under both normal and stressed market conditions
Yield Buffer Composition Rules
"External assets" or "third-party assets" cannot be included in the yield buffer
Asset management The AMF completes its policy on gates in master-feeder structures
Why this matters
This regulatory update from the AMF relates to policy changes on gates in master-feeder fund structures, which is relevant for investment managers and wealth managers.
Financial disclosures & corporate financing Equity Journalists Listed companies and issuers Amendment to the AMF General Regulation makes "retail" tranche optional for initial public offerings
Why this matters
This regulatory update from the AMF (French financial markets authority) is relevant for broker-dealers and listed companies involved in initial public offerings. It changes the requirements around the 'retail' tranche, which impacts reporting and disclosure as well as the authorization process for IPOs.
Asset management Europe & international Journalists Investment management companies Austrian, French, Italian and Spanish financial market authorities give their key priorities for a macro-prudential approach to asset management
Why this matters
This regulatory update from European financial authorities focuses on their priorities for a macro-prudential approach to asset management, which impacts investment management firms, banks, and broker-dealers. Key topics include prudential requirements, ESG, and reporting/disclosure.
Fees Collective investments Shares ETF Less expensive investment funds for savers in 2023 according to the AMF's Household Savings Newsletter
Why this matters
This regulatory update from the AMF discusses changes to investment fund fees, which impacts investment managers, wealth managers, and banks that offer collective investment products to retail investors. The update is informational in nature, providing an overview of trends in investment fund costs for savers.
This regulatory update concerns the withdrawal of approval for a token offering, which is a significant event for crypto firms and requires prompt attention.
Professional certification AMF activity Journalists The Autorité des Marchés Financiers announces the new composition of the Financial Skills Certification Board
Why this matters
This regulatory update announces changes to the composition of the Financial Skills Certification Board, which is relevant for firms in the banking, investment management, and capital markets sectors.
Appointment AMF activity Journalists Pauline Briand joins the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) as Head of Communications
Why this matters
This is an informational news article about the appointment of a new Head of Communications at the French financial regulator AMF. It is relevant for firms in the banking, investment management, and capital markets sectors, particularly those that interact with the AMF and its communications.
Warning Savings protection Forex and binary options Warning The AMF and the ACPR warn the public against the activities of several entities offering in France investments in Forex and in crypto-assets derivatives without being authorized to do so
Why this matters
This regulatory update warns the public against unauthorized entities offering investments in Forex and crypto-asset derivatives in France, which impacts banking, investment management, and crypto firms. It is a high urgency issue related to consumer protection and licensing requirements.
Warning Savings protection Warning Crypto-assets The AMF reminds the public that the cryptoasset trading platform BITGET is blacklisted
Why this matters
This is a warning from the AMF about the cryptoasset trading platform BITGET being blacklisted, which is relevant for crypto exchanges and raises consumer protection concerns.