Malta Alternative Investment Funds (AIF)

Malta Alternative Investment Funds (AIF)

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The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (“AIFMD”) is a 2011 EU Directive regulating the marketing and management of funds, excluding UCITS funds, within the EU. The AIFMD and its regulation was transposed within the Investment Services Act in July of 2013.

CSB Group has been into the financial services industry for over 30 years with investment services professionals available to assist in any enquiries. Our investment services team can help you advance your fund from concept to launch through the advisory, licensing and incorporation, ongoing administration and accounting.

Directive definition of an AIF

The Directive defines an Alternative Investment Fund (“AIF”) as: “A Collective Investment Scheme (CIS), including sub-funds thereof, which raises capital from a number of investors, with a view to investing it in accordance with a defined investment policy for the benefit of those investors, and which does not qualify as an Undertaking for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) Scheme in terms of the UCITS Directive.” Therefore, hedge funds, private equity funds, real estate funds, venture capital funds, and others all fall within the scope of AIFMD.

To Whom Does Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) apply?

The implementing procedures of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) subjects fund managers to an authorisation, or registration, requirement as well as a number of ongoing obligations such as investor disclosures, regulatory reporting, the role of the depository and remuneration.  Essentially, the Directive would concern:

  • Fund Managers established in the EU managing and / or marketing Alternative Investment Funds (“AIFs”), and outside the EU;
  • Fund Managers established outside the EU managing and / or marketing their AIFs in the EU;
  • Collective Investment Schemes (“CISs”), other than UCITS, marketed in the EU or managed by an EU/EEA manager of alternative investment funds

AIFs carrying out activities in Malta are regulated in Malta and require an Investment Fund Licence issued by the Malta Financial Services Authority (“MFSA”).  For regulatory purposes, Professional Investor Funds (“PIFs”), and Private Collective Investment Schemes would not be captured by the definition of an AIF in terms of the AIFMD.

Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) & Malta

In June 2013 the MFSA updated its Investment Services Rulebooks as part of Malta’s implementation of the Alternative Investment Fund Manager Directive.  The Investment Services Act, 1994 provides the statutory basis for regulating Collective Investment Schemes constituted in or operating in or from Malta.  AIFs are a special class of Collective Investment Schemes which fall within the scope of this Act. It is still possible to apply for a Professional Investor Fund (PIF) license in either of the following cases:

  1. Applicants who opt to apply to be licensed as a “de-minimis” self-managed AIF;
  2. Applicants who opt to apply for a PIF licence provided the PIF is managed by as “de-minimis” AIFM;

The lighter touch de-minimis” AIFMD regime applies in respect of fund managers whose assets under management:

  • Do not exceed €100 million (when leveraged), or
  • Do not exceed €500 million, where there is no leverage and where investors may not effect redemptions for a 5-year period.

Service Providers of an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) under Maltese Law

An AIF may appoint service providers as it deems necessary.  Nonetheless, a Maltese licenced AIF is required to, at least, appoint:

AIFMShould the AIF be 3rd party managed, then an AIFM subject to the AIFMD is required. Should the AIF be self-managed, then the Board of Directors of the AIF will set up an Investment Committee composed of, at least, three persons.
Custodian / DepositoryUp till the 22nd July 2017, an AIF licenced in Malta may appoint a custodian / depository situated in any EU Member State. Following this date, the AIF must appoint such credit institution having substance in Malta and authorised by the MFSA.
Compliance OfficerAlthough the AIF’s compliance with its licence conditions rest within the Board of Directors, a Malta-licenced AIF must have a Compliance Officer at all times. Such role would envisage to issue a compliance report, at least, semi-annually and made available to the regulator.
MLROResponsibility for the AIF’s compliance with the prevention of money laundering regulations rests within the Board of Directors (or GPs). Nonetheless, a Malta-licenced AIF must have an MLRO in place at all times.
External ValuerThe External Valuer shall be appointed by the AIFM, or by the AIF should the latter be self-managed

Application and Supervisory Fees of an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) in Malta

Regulatory fees comprise of a non-recurring Application fee payable on submission of the Application for an AIF and an annual supervision fee which is due on the anniversary of the license being granted as outlined below.

Application FeeAnnual Supervisory Fee
AIF€2,000€2,000
Sub-Funds (per sub-fund)€1,000€600
Incorporated Cells of RICCs (per Incorporated Cell)€1,000€600

Notification FeeAnnual Supervisory Fee
European AIF€2,500€3,000
Per Scheme Sub-Fund€450€500 up to 15 Scheme Sub-funds (per sub-fund)*
*No Annual Supervisory Fee will be payable from the 16th Scheme sub-fund upwards

AIF FAQs

Key Contacts

Franklin Cachia

Director & Lead Consultant

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Kyle Scerri

Senior Manager - Legal

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