• Overview

The cornerstone of Malta's financial services regulation is the state-of-the-art Malta Financial Services Centre ("MFSC").  The MFSC was created in 1994 by the Malta Financial Services Centre Act as the focal point of financial services regulation in Malta.  The MFSC is the regulatory body in Malta encharged with oversight of financial services which includes offshore banking, insurance, investment services and Collective Investment Schemes.  In this way, the MFSC provides a focus for the establishment and regulation of innovative products and services.  Recognising the attractiveness of Malta as a financial services centre, internationally recognised investment managers have become involved in establishing Maltese-based funds, including Rothschild Asset Management Limited and Hambro European Ventures Limited.  In addition, international banking groups such as Midland Bank of the United Kingdom, a subsidiary of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation has established a branch in Malta.  Midland Bank is also licensed by the MFSC to provide investment services.  Numerous substantial international financial services operators have expressed an interest in basing funds in Malta - and many already have. 

In order to ensure access to the most up-to-date regulatory information, the MFSC has established relationships with other major international financial services regulators.  To ensure that Maltese standards conform with those of other international centres, the MFSC has drawn upon European Union directives and other legislation and regulations, including those of the United Kingdom.