Sharing Knowledge series Welcome to Sharing Knowledge series. You can now access our list of webinars which explore a multitude of topics of interest across numerous industries. We aim to keep everyone updated with the latest legislation and regulation in key practice areas by communicating our practical knowledge, experience and expertise. We also invite you to access the range of publications and insights which compliment our webinar content. If you would like to attend one or more of our seminars, please follow the registration instructions. Monday 19 April 2021 1630 hrs CSP reforms: next steps The Company Service Providers (Amendment) Act, 2020 and the revised Company Service Providers Rulebook which apply from 16 March 2021 have an impact on a wide range of corporate service providers. The implications vary but what is unequivocal is that many CSPs which were formerly exempt in terms of de minimis exemptions are no longer exempt and must apply for authorisation with the Malta Financial Services Authority by no later than 15th May 2021. Additional requirements relating to capital and risk management, among others, also apply to those CSPs who are already registered as such with the MFSA. All authorised CSPs will now also be subject to classification within a particular category and should assess the category that best fits the CSP services they offer. Join us as we discuss the immediate implications arising from this new regime as well as what entities should be focusing on to meet their May 2021 deadline on time. Moderator: Marina Grech, Senior Associate Participants: James Farrugia, Partner Stephanie Sciberras, Senior Associate Annalise Papa, Senior Associate Tuesday 13 April 2021 1400 hrs DORA – The EU’s proposal on the future of digital operational resilience It is rather self-evident that information and communication technologies play an indispensable role in the financial services industry – even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic which forced all of us to work remotely, and also with the constant rise of cybercrime. In September 2020, European Commission circulated its draft Digital Operational Resilience Act (COM (2020) 595 or DORA) with the main aim of establishing a more streamlined and all-encompassing framework on digital operational resilience. While reinforcing and tying together into one legislative instrument the existing patchwork of several inconsistent and, often unnecessarily duplicated, past EU initiatives which permeate across the financial services world, DORA aims to safeguard the strength and resistance of the financial services infrastructure when such is faced with austere operational disruption. Join us as we discuss the positive outcomes from DORA’s debut, whether the text of the proposal is in need for improvement and what is the outlook and the next steps for DORA. Featured speaker: Leonard Bonello, Partner Wednesday 7 April 2021 1600 hrs Regulatory: Investment Firms Directive – major considerations for investment firms The Investment Firm Regulation (IFR) and Investment Firm Directive (IFD) establish a new prudential regime for investment firms. They are both due to apply from 26 June 2021 and will have an impact on a wide range of investment firms authorised under MiFID II.The implications of the new prudential requirements may vary depending on the type of entity, however the main aim of the requirements is to introduce a new approach towards the calculation of regulatory capital. This will potentially result in increased capital needs which will better capture the risks which investment firms are exposed to. Additional requirements relating to liquidity, remuneration, governance, disclosures and reporting will also be introduced. Join us as we discuss the main implications arising from this new legislative package as well as what entities should be focusing on to be fully prepared by June 2021. Moderated by: Stephanie Farrugia, Senior Associate Participants: James Farrugia, Partner Paul Falzon, Regulatory Advisor Tuesday 23 March 2021 1600 – 1700 hrs COVID 19 – A year on. The prickly thought of employment rights and getting vaccinated It has been almost a year since we started our webinar sessions to guide employers on the various employment issues triggered by the #COVID-19 pandemic. During this webinar we will take a look at whether employers can oblige employees to take the vaccine and how employers should handle employees who refuse, or are unable, to get vaccinated. Can employers promote vaccination at the workplace and can they give employees incentives to get vaccinated? How should employers treat the time employees use to get vaccinated? Can employers terminate employees who refuse to get vaccinated? We will also look at the privacy issues which may arise in this context. In particular, can employers collect information on whether employees are being vaccinated and can employers keep copies of these documents? Featured speakers: Matthew Brincat, Partner Lara Pace, Associate Philip Formosa, Associate Thursday 11 March 2021 1600 – 1700 hrs AML: Key considerations for the funds industry Investment funds are ‘subject persons’. As such they must comply with all AML-CFT obligations. But the day to day application of such obligations is entirely bespoke. From a practical perspective, one must therefore analyse the type of framework investment funds must implement to ensure full compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Where do their obligations start…and stop? What type of procedures should they implement? What level of scrutiny should they apply on the fund administrator? Join us as we discuss key AML considerations for the funds industry in Malta and in Luxembourg and how investment funds can remain above board in their AML compliance obligations. Moderated by: Stephanie Farrugia, Senior Associate Participants: Natalia Hernandez, Partner (Ganado SARL) James Farrugia, Partner Mario Zerafa, Senior Associate Friday 5 March 2021 1030 – 1200 hrs Sustainability-related disclosures in the insurance and pensions space The entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 on sustainability-related disclosures in the financial services sector (the “Regulation”) is fast-approaching; with implications for insurance undertakings, intermediaries and pension providers alike. The aim of this webinar is to go through the more salient aspects of the Regulation, as well as its underlying rationale, in order assist providers with compliance thereto (both in the short and longer term). Luke Hili, Associate Beppe Sammut, Consultant Monday 1 March 2021 1530 – 1630 hrs Anti-Money Laundering Compliance in the Malta Insurance Industry In its fight against financial crime, the FIAU has increased its supervisory activities through compliance visits across financial service providers. The effects are already being felt with the enforcement of hefty fines. In light of this, Insurance Distributors should analyse their internal screening systems against financial crimes and ensure they have appropriate controls in place in line with legal and regulatory requirements. The aim of the discussion is to provide operators with an overview of the compliance visits carried out by the FIAU and the FIAU expectations. The presentation will also outline the internal procedures of the operators and ongoing obligations. Elaine Magri, Associate Tuesday 23 February 2021 1400 – 1500 hrs AML Compliance: Keeping up the Momentum The rapid evolution of financial crime requires a dynamic response. A complacent compliance attitude is not acceptable. With AML practices increasingly coming under the spotlight, coupled with the heightened expectations of regulators, subject persons cannot risk becoming facilitators of financial crime through their inaction or unpreparedness. By adopting a robust compliance culture, implementing an appropriate framework and by engaging people with the right frame of mind, banks and financial institutions will be able to make the grade during compliance visits. Clear and transparent frameworks are a must. The adoption of a top down approach while instilling the right attitude in employees is key for the successful and effective implementation of AML frameworks. This webinar will give insights into the culture and framework which are to be adopted by banks and financial institutions, focusing on how they can make the grade during regulatory compliance visits. Mario Zerafa, Senior Associate Thursday 11 February 2021 1530 – 1630 hrs Retirement Scheme Administrators and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance – Are you ready? In its fight against financial crime, the FIAU has increased its supervisory activities through compliance visits across financial service providers. The effects are already being felt with the enforcement of hefty fines. In light of this, RSAs should analyse their internal screening systems against financial crimes and ensure they have appropriate controls in place in line with legal and regulatory requirements. The aim of the discussion is to provide RSAs with an overview of the compliance visits carried out by the FIAU and the FIAU expectations. The presentation will also outline the internal procedures RSA and obligations on an ongoing basis. Join our free webinar, forming part of the Sharing Knowledge Series, on the 11 February at 15:30! Matthew Brincat, Partner Elaine Magri, Associate Tuesday 8 February 2021 1600 – 1700 hrs Sustainability related disclosures in financial services The EU’s ESG initiative aims at reorienting capital flows towards sustainable investments, the management of financial risks arising from environmental and social issues and the fostering of transparency for market participants. The main legislative elements are the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (‘SFDR’) and the Taxonomy Regulation which outline a series of disclosure requirements. Some aspects of the SFDR will apply to all market participants irrespective as to whether they promote ESG products or otherwise. As initial disclosures must be implemented by the 10 March 2021, market participants need to prioritise such disclosure requirements and should already be considering the implications of the SFDR and the necessary ESG disclosures to be made. Join us as we discuss the key elements & requirements of the SFDR, how an ESG strategy can contribute to your business and what entities which fall in scope of the SFDR should be doing now. Moderated by: Stephanie Farrugia, Senior Associate Participants Natalia Hernandez, Partner (Ganado SARL) Mark Caruana Scicluna, Senior Associate Paul Falzon, Regulatory Advisor Neil Bezzina, Associate Tuesday 19 January 2021 1400 – 1500 hrs Conducting Suitability Assessments of Directors and Key Function Holders: Practical considerations Supervised entities have the primary responsibility to carry out their own due diligence and suitability assessment prior to the proposed appointment of directors, members of executive management and key function holders. The outcome of the assessment is then to be provided to the competent authority as part of the approval process. Re-assessments should also be undertaken periodically or upon the happening of trigger events. Although entities differ in structure, size, risk profile and business model, a suitability assessment invariably needs to address assess competence, reputation and integrity, time commitment as well as the independence of mind of the individual in question, whilst also taking into account the specifics of the role being assessed. The webinar will give insights into how an entity should conduct a suitability assessment, primarily against the backdrop of the Joint ESMA and EBA Guidelines on the same subject matter. Catherine Formosa, Senior Associate