Financial services regulation

Traditionally, financial markets work in Malta was a very local affair – advising issuers and corporate stockbrokers on share and less frequently debt securities listed on the Malta Stock Exchange. However, this decade has seen a step change in the activity levels, opportunities, complexity and international influences surrounding the trading of financial instruments in or from Malta.

We have experienced explosive growth in the number of investment funds and managers regulated in Malta and a similar increase in licences issued to insurance vehicles with their investment managed here. This was combined with a rapid advance in regulation covering the activities of hedge fund managers, UCITS, credit institutions and financial vehicle corporations, the capitalisation of insurance undertakings and prevention of market abuse.

Ganado Advocates has been involved in a number of financial services projects and the development of local regulation applying to them, giving the firm a raised profile in the field of financial markets advice. Moreover, the firm has recognised technology as being the main disrupting factor for the sector and has invested in being prepared for the fintech projects taking place in banking, payments, investments and insurance.